Skyreign

42: Spaceport Eighty-One

"Slow down," said Janeth to Darrick at the console of the Skyreign.

"Why?" asked Darrick, glancing around for some form of obstacle or danger.

"Because we're here," she said, "best call the crew up here."

Darrick eased the throttle back, carefully so as to not upset the damaged lifters. He flicked the intercom on and spoke, "Alright, everyone. Come on up. We're here. Apparently."

"I would think you to be more excited to see such a wondrous vessel," Janeth frowned.

"These last few days have been excitement enough," Darrick shook his head.

Laura was the first to arise—for a change. She moved swiftly forth, her black bandages no longer encumbering her healed skin. She looked over the rail as the ship came to a soft halt, scanning the darkness of the highway and stating, "I don't see it."

"That's the idea," said Janeth, "you don't see it. Nobody has seen it in a very long time, save for myself. I hope."

"You sure the waypoints are right?" asked Darrick, checking his sensors again and again.

"Adamant," Janeth said sternly, "this is the place. Took a little longer than I predicted, but nonetheless here it is. Now just let me outside and I'll get the door."

Rose then ascended, if slowly, clutching her ribs on one side, saying weakly yet firmly, "let's see this."

Savath and Elsie then ascended, followed shortly by Olsein. Grace, being the last to make it to the deck, seemed the most lost in thought of them all. Laura studied her—then noticed Olsein doing the same thing.

Janeth then descended the stairs and exited the ship, stepping onto the hard stone floor of the ancient highway. She walked without a flashlight, and so quickly disappeared into the darkness.

"Crazy old woman," said Olsein.

"I hear that," added Savath.

"I still can't get past the bald thing," Rose said with a faint grin.

Olsein only humphed.

Grace stared silently into the darkness, to where Janeth disappeared, and beyond.

There was something in and beyond that darkness that called to her. She couldn't place how exactly, but she had an idea. She felt the back of her head, weaving her fingers through her blonde hair to find the bulge where her implant was, and was reminded of another time, a time before her days as a healer.

"You alright, Grace?" asked Laura.

Grace seemed startled, yanking her hand away and down to her side, "Yes, sure, fine. Thank you. How are you?"

Laura shrugged, "I'm alright. I was worried for a while, but I'm alright now. And I know what I need to do next."

"And, what might that be?" asked Grace.

"I think it's time," said Laura as she crossed her arms, "time I spoke with my father."

Grace said nothing. Her honest smile said everything.

Before long, the silence of the highway was broken by the screeching of metal, perhaps that of massive gears that had not moved in centuries. There was the rumbling of the movement of large objects, that could not be seen, until at the opposite side of the highway, a pillar of light seemed to stretch from floor to ceiling.

That pillar widened and widened, lighting the highway for a great distance, exposing a massive platform behind what appeared to be two folding doors. The doors were made to look exactly like typical side panelling, the same panelling that was seen all the way to and from Pillars.