The permafrost layer of the polar region continuously descended, and upon breaking through to a critical depth, the frozen soil and ice layer suddenly gave way, plunging into the darkness below.
The trio halted their actions, using Tilan's phasing invisibility, slowly descended into that subterranean darkness.
There was no light here, but all three had certain night vision investigative abilities, allowing them to vaguely see the surrounding situation.
Deeper underground, a starship, broken in two, lay quietly. Above and around it, there were other metallic frameworks supporting it, seemingly built later for excavating the ship.
These frameworks still remained, although they had accumulated thick ice and snow over time, ultimately burying them beneath the ground.
Various mechanical bodies were fixed on these frameworks, their appearances varied, with some models even unfamiliar to Loloria.
