They disembark from the transport onto a rocky area at the base of a cliff. Stretching above is a sheet of black rock that towers above them, and a third of the way up is a wide slot that’s about twenty meters wide and not natural, with a sled stationary next to it. Lady Vaeri moves away from the transport and gazes around at the mountains that surround the deep valley, which they stand at the bottom of, as Alex and Candy move forward and kneel on each side of her.

“I hate wearing helmets. I prefer to breathe fresh air and feel the sun on my face. Instead of breathing filtered air.” Mistress Delva complains.

Next to their position, there is a small fast-flowing river, winding down the middle of the small valley, sided by giant boulders and piles of loose stone. There are a few trees that stand tall, but many have been knocked over and lie rotting on the sides of the valley. Two hundred meters away are a series of irregular black slabs thrusting into the air, which resemble a row of broken teeth; each is at least ten meters high.

“Must have used hydropower,” Alex mutters in English.

Mistress Lyrei turns sharply. “What did you say Eilaes?”

“It was nothing, Mistress Lyrei,” Alex responds bowing low.

She turns to regard the black slabs. “They appear to be part of a defensive wall. But, what do you think they were for Eilaes?”

Alex pauses. “If we were on Earth I would say they were part of a structure to harness the water to generate power.”

Mistress Lyrei scrutinizes the slabs for a minute. ”Hmm, Eilaes that’s an interesting thought.” She then turns to Sir Junralan. “This world is A-class, correct? So, no pure-blood presence?”

“Yes, Mistress Lyrei.”

“Is there any evidence of gobliniods or large predators?”

“No, Mistress Lyrei.”

She continues to scrutinize the black slabs before turning back to the slot cut into the cliff’s side. “What has been discovered about the passage?”

“Master Zatlen guided one of the smaller drones inside and discovered that the passage is over a hundred and fifty meters long. One end has been blocked by a falling rock, the other ends in a closed security door. There is evidence that someone tried to force open the door.”

“What evidence?” Lady Vaeri snaps.

“There are gashes and marks around the edge that would indicate an attempt to pry the door open.”

“How long until I can see the door?” Lady Vaeri asks.

“Master Paicen and Master Cyrand are currently in the passage assessing its stability. Master Paicen advises that the majority of the rockfall appears to be as a result of the mountainside collapsing, but it’s not recent. There is evidence of a recent rockfall higher along the cliff.” Sir Junralan states pointing further up the valley.

“Is it dangerous?”

“Master Paicen says not, but Master Cyrand is installing safety cables and roof braces in the passage just in case.”

“When will the lights be set up?”

“They’re on the way and will be in place before it gets dark.”

“You still haven’t said when I’ll be able to go and inspect the door?”

“Not much longer, Mistress Lyrei. We just want to ensure that everything is safe first.” Sir Junralan says moderately.

Twenty minutes later Sir Junralan is standing on the sled at the bottom of the cliff with a waiting guard. He performs a deep bow as Lady Vaeri approaches. “Lady Vaeri, everything is ready and we can now proceed to inspect the door.”

Lady Vaeri turns to Alex and Candy. “Get the packs from the transport and follow me.” They all rush off while she boards the sled and Mistress Delva follows closely. A second guard and Master Ilhon walk five meters behind them and then also embarks moving to the back. Alex and Candy return quickly each carrying a large pack on their backs.

“Let’s hurry this along.” Master Zatlen declares boarding the sled. “We have already used half a day and the first initial pick-up will happen in two days.” He then takes a device out of a pocket on his arm and begins to tap it. The sled gently rises to the height of a hundred meters and stops next to the slot in the cliff face. “Careful as you cross. Any sudden gust of wind could cause a gap.” A guard steps from the side of the sled into the corridor and Sir Junralan follows.

Before Sir Junralan can turn to assist Lady Vaeri nimbly jumps into the corridor and swiftly begins striding towards two figures; Alex and Candy hurriedly clamber to follow. “Master Paicen, Master Cyrand, is everything good?”

“Yes, Lady Vaeri.” Master Cyrand responds with a bow. “We have placed braces along the corridor every twenty meters.” He indicates to a floor to ceiling metal panel that blocks half the corridor. “We have also installed metal guide wires, which we will extend as we progress. These glow in the dark and if you clip your suit to them they will secure you. If you follow me, I will lead you to the door.” He says, bowing again, then steps away.

They are soon standing in front of a two-meter wide and three-meter high metal door with deep gouges in the rock around it. The door itself shows scratches and a few shallow cuts at set points, two at both the top and bottom and three on each side. Next to the door is a smashed panel that was used to open it.

Lady Vaeri moves forward and crouches down to inspect the panel. “Eilaes, I need the small white box in the top of your pack.”

“Yes, Mistress,” Alex responds, taking the pack off, then opening it removes a box. He moves forward and kneels just behind Lady Vaeri holding the box above his head. She quickly glances back at Alex and takes the box. She removes a small device and places it on the rock wall next to the panel and then takes out a second device. She begins to move the device slowly over the broken front of the panel and then stops and pushes it forward as a series of symbols appear on the back. She replaces the devices in the box and hands them back to Alex.

Lady Vaeri stands “Well, there’s power, but it’s barely a trickle, not enough to open the door.”

“If there’s power. Then no wonder the Council thinks this is a potential A1 site!” Mistress Delva exclaims breathlessly.

“What’s so special about finding power?” Sir Junralan asks.

“This site has been abandoned for at least two hundred years, maybe longer. If there’s still power, then there must be a working generator.” Mistress Delva says, grinning.

“And?”

“And if we find an intact power generator the convertor it uses alone would be worth millions.” Master Cyrand responds eagerly.

“So, how do we get this door open?” Sir Junralan asks.

“It appears to be a standard security door, which has ten locking points, two at both the top and bottom and three on each side. With the cutting equipment we can get through in a couple of hours.” Lady Vaeri advises.

“Is that what the cuts are around the door?” Master Cyrand queries while Master Zatlen talks quietly into his communicator.

“Yes, it is. It does appear that someone used a runic blade to try and cut through.” Sir Junralan replies.

“The cutting equipment has yet to be unpacked. It’ll take us about an hour to get it here.” Master Zatlen states.

“Get it here quickly. Losing three hours to get through the first door is unsatisfactory, especially as this is likely to be the first of many doors.” Lady Vaeri states.

“I could blow the door open.” Master Ilhon states flatly from the back of the group.

“And bring the whole cliff down at the same time.” Master Paicen retorts.

“I would use shaped charges where a large part of the force is concentrated in a small jet of hot gases and metal fragments and they move with such force that it would go through the door. It’s like an explosive nail.”

“But the shock waves would still hit the surrounding rock causing damage and risking a collapse.” Master Paicen barks back.

“I would only use a small charge and direct the jet to fire into the bulk of the mountain, there is a risk but it would be small. I would also only use one charge at a time and assess the door after each detonation.”

“How long would it take?” Sir Junralan demands.

“For ten charges, about thirty minutes.”

“Lady Vaeri, I recommend we do this.” Master Zatlen interjects. “We can save over two hours. If it goes wrong and the rest of the cliff collapses, we’ll look for another way in.”

“Or we can make a bigger hole.” Master Ilhon says blandly.

“Are you mad?” Master Paicen cries. “Lady Vaeri, this area is unstable and has collapsed recently. This could bring the rest of the mountainside down blocking our access to the ruin and end this expedition before it’s started.”

“Quiet, I need to think.” Lady Vaeri commands the turns to Mistress Delva. “The information we have stated that the Council made an initial exploration of the site. That they gained entry and found artifacts verifying it’s a progenitor ruin?”

“Yes, Lady Vaeri.” Mistress Delva says, trying to stop her grin.

“They investigated further and confirmed there is a locked reinforced security door, but were hampered when a rockfall blocked the entrance they used. They lacked heavy equipment and so are planning to come back and finish investigating. Correct?”

“Correct, Lady Vaeri.” Mistress Delva says, nodding.

“What I don’t understand is why not leave the team here and just send more personnel? This doesn’t make sense.”

“It could have been too dangerous to stay.” Master Paicen instantly declares.

“What scared them away? Could the host be here?” Master Cyrand asks concerned.

“Don’t be foolish. If the host were here they would be all over this site. They always go straight to any progenitor ruins before doing anything else. Anyway, I sent drones out to scan the area and there is no sign of any activity.” Master Zatlen interjects.

“Alright, ruins, where reinforced security doors have been found, have also had a lot of standard security doors. If we have to cut through each of them as we progress we’re going to waste a lot of time.” Lady Vaeri states, then pauses. “Master Ilhon, can you please demonstrate how you can get us through the doors quickly?” Lady Vaeri asks confidently.

“It’ll be my please, Lady Vaeri.” Master Ilhon says with a small bow.

“Alright everyone, let's return to the transport and leave Master Ilhon to do his thing.” Master Zatlen states before turning to Master Ilhon. “I’ll monitor your progress with a drone. Is there anything else you require?”

“I need someone to man the sled, so I can exit before each charge is detonated.”

“It’ll be my pleasure to assist you, Master Ilhon.” Master Cyrand says, bowing. “It’ll allow me to check on the safety as you progress.”

Once the group returns to the transport, Master Ilhon appears in the slot in the cliff, then he climbs on board the sled and Master Cyrand guides it away. After ten seconds there’s a dull thud and a cloud of rock dust blooms out from the slot. Shortly after the rock dust disperses the sled returns to the slot, Master Ilhon and Master Cyrand disembark entering the tunnel and a minute later they return to the sled. This repeats a further nine times taking nearly thirty minutes and the cloud of dust spreads further out from the cliff each time. Towards the end, the two men are rushing as if trying to get the job done quickly.

“Master Cyrand says it’s safe to approach.” Sir Junralan advises Lady Vaeri a few minutes later and then thrusts a pair of one and a half meter long crowbars at Alex. “Slave, take these.”

Lady Vaeri glares at Sir Junralan then striding toward the cliff and calls out. “Let’s see if Master Ilhon was successful.”

They all approach the sled waiting at the bottom of the cliff and Master Ilhon steps down in front of them. “The doors barely standing so should be easy enough to lever open. However, there’s a foul odor coming from behind the door. May I recommend that you send in your slaves to remove the door and disperse the smell, Lady Vaeri?”

Lady Vaeri pauses. “Of course. Eilaes, Talia, leave the packs and assist in removing the door.”

“Yes, Mistress,” They respond from their kneeling position each side of her.

“Please wait while I get the ventilator unit.” Master Zatlen calls out, then turning rushes to another sled nearby. He lifts a half meter cube from the sled and walks back, placing it in front of Lady Vaeri. “If they take this unit with them, I can activate it from here and it’ll circulate the air. It should quickly clear up any bad smells.”

“I had not thought of using it for that.” Lady Vaeri responds with a grateful smile.

Soon Alex and Candy are on the sled with Master Cyrand as he guides it towards the slot in the cliff. Alex is carrying both the cube and the crowbars and steps into the tunnel and Candy follows. Walking towards the door they flinch at the unspeakable stench that hits them. Alex wants to gag and he’s still twenty meters away from the door and the hood does not seem to protect him from the disgusting stink. He turns to Candy who is finding it difficult to breathe and is panting.

“Candy, wait here. I’ll go and have a look.” Candy nods and then suddenly turns and frantically pulls her hood up as she vomits on the floor. “Try to move back a little.” Candy remains doubled over and waves a hand in Alex’s direction as he moves forward.

A handful of seconds later he stands in front of the door. One corner of which has dropped to the floor and the surface is scorched with ten smoldering holes located where each of the cuts was before. The most noticeable smell at first is of hot metal, but then this is overwhelmed by a very sharp, foul odor similar to horrible cheese mixed with the same smell you get from a full trash can and soiled diapers left in the sun. Breathing through his mouth and trying to avoid the stink, he gags as the smell gets into his throat and he tastes it.

He places the cube down in the corner along with one of the giant crowbars. Hefting the second crowbar he moves forward, to the side of the door where the corner rests on the floor. He reaches up and hooks the end of the crowbar onto the top corner and gives it a tentative pull and nothing happens. He braces his foot on the wall next to the door and again pulls and initially, nothing happens until abruptly the crowbar slips and he’s falls backwards and he scrambles to keep his balance.

Snorting, he again approaches the door and inspects the side edge the carefully placing the curved end into a small crack. Standing still, holding the bar in position, he begins to cycle his prana and pushes it toward his arms and legs willing as much strength into his limbs. After a minute he begins to push against the bar using his strength and the leverage of the bar to try and force the door to move. After a few seconds the groan of tortured metal begins as his muscles bulge and the sweat drips down his face. Then there is a grinding noise and the edge of the door begins to gradually move and pushing more prana into his muscles the gap at the side gets wider.

Alex wobbles and gasps as the prana dissolved into his muscles becomes depletes. He stands shaking as he deeply breathes in more prana, which his core ravenously absorbs as he gradually begins to recover. After the shakes stop he repositions the crowbar and begins to push the again, but this time without using his prana. As he strains against the bar there is a screech of stressed metal and then the door suddenly tilts forward and he dodges to the side as the door hits the floor with a loud crash and a cloud of dust erupts.

“Alex, are you alright?” Candy shouts in English in between coughs.

“I’m fine. I think I managed to get the door open.” Alex calls back.

It takes nearly a minute for the dust in the air to clear enough to perceive what’s through the doorway where a large room can be seen with heavy equipment arrayed in rows. But that’s after the realization that there is a lone bloated body sitting in the room with large staring eyes being pushed out of their sockets and a puffed-up tongue forced out of the mouth. The body is dressed in some form of body armor with the top part unstrapped and the hilt of a knife jutting from his chest.

He pushes his prana into the collar around his neck and makes a call. “Mistress, I have managed to open the door, however, there’s a body, you will need to start the ventilator to disperse the odor.” After a few seconds, the cube hums into life generating a noticeable wind.

The dead man is holding a small dish shaped device that faintly flashes blue every five seconds. Alex moves forward and gently touches the device which bursts into life and the hologram of a man appears that begins to talk. “Hello Narana, my love. I seem to have gotten caught in a situation I can’t get out of. I’m sorry I’ll not be returning to see your smile. I wanted to take the opportunity to say how much I wish I could take you in my arms one more time. Being with you was the best thing that ever happened to me. Love you always.” Then the device goes dark.