The countdown continued to tick.
Kai watched the remaining fuel indicator hovering at the edge of his vision as the number decreased relentlessly despite all of his will to keep it from happening.
FUEL REMAINING: 41 HOURS.
ESTIMATED ARRIVAL: 63 HOURS.
"That's not mathematics I'm comfortable with," Kai said softly.
The engine roared beneath him as the Leviathan vibrated unevenly, not failing, but stressed; as if he were a marathon runner running the final miles on sheer will.
"Ongoing Engine Optimization," Ark said. "All non-essential systems have been taken offline. Minimal course deviations."
Kai did not respond. He was too distracted by watching the void.
The Void Sea churned all around him, large and hostile; the purple-black expanse rippled in ways that caused pain to his eyes if he concentrated too long. There were things moving in the distance; far enough away he was relieved, but he could not help but imagine another serpent emerging, and another challenge he was not prepared to face.
The ship shuddered again.
"Was that turbulence?" Kai asked.
"Void current fluctuation," Ark replied.
"Structural integrity remains intact."
Kai slowly exhaled through his nose. "You're certainly calm for a ship flying on fumes."
"Calm is an improvement to efficiency," Ark said.
"Panic increases heart rate," Kai replied. "Mine's doing well."
The countdown ticked.
Then something changed.
There was a shape in front of him. Not in the void; above it.
There was a continent floating in space, large and angular; its surface a mixture of industrial sprawl, and gray steel. Dark smoke billowed out of the stacks. Long stretches of lights followed the grid of roads and megastructures of endless length through a haze of pollution.
Iron-Hollow.
Kai leaned forward against his better judgment. "That's...not subtle."
"Iron-Hollow confirmed," Ark said.
"Technology-Dominant Continent."
The Leviathan's engines sputtered, a low-throbbing, uneven rumble replaced the steady roar.
FUEL REMAINING: 36 HOURS.
"Take us there," Kai said softly. "Any way you can."
"Acknowledged."
As the ship approached Iron-Hollow, the continent began to react.
Lights flared along the edges of the continent. Defensive platforms spun into position with cannon and missile arrays bristling. Small shapes broke away from the surface of the planet; sleek, angular craft accelerated rapidly.
Fighters.
A sharp tone cut through the bridge.
"Incoming Transmission," Ark said.
The voice that burst through was short, amplified, unmistakably military.
"Unidentified vessel," the voice shouted. "You are entering restricted airspace. State your name immediately, or you will be fired upon."
Kai's mouth went dry.
"Okay," he said, mostly to himself. "We'll talk. We are going to talk."
He leaned forward toward the console; his pulse pounding.
"This is--" He stopped to think. Names count. Titles count. "--this is Kai. I am a merchant. Requesting emergency landing."
The silence lasted for half a second.
Then laughter; harsh, incredulous.
"A merchant," the voice repeated. "You're piloting a warship larger than our central citadel. Explain."
Kai's eyes flicked to the fuel gauge.
FUEL REMAINING: 31 HOURS.
"We found it," Kai blurted. "It was derelict. It was floating in space. The systems are broken. We're out of fuel."
His words spilled out; half truth stacked on top of half truth; desperate urgency on each word.
The fighters were closing in. He could see them now; dozens of them, guns blazing, flying precise formations around the Leviathan, like wolves encircling something too large to take down.
"This vessel does not match any design we know," the voice said. "Your power signature is off the scale. If you are lying--"
"I'm not," Kai said quickly. "Just look at this thing. Look, I don't want any trouble. I just need someplace to put this thing down before it crashes."
Another pause.
This one longer.
FUEL REMAINING: 24 HOURS
"Landing clearance has been given," the voice said. "Platform Seven. Any deviation from this path will be considered hostile action."
Kai slumped back in the chair. "Thanks. Thanks. You won't regret this."
"We already do," the voice replied, ending the communication.
The Leviathan descended.
Its descent was far from smooth. The ship lacked sufficient power to properly respond to control inputs; its massive size drifted slightly too far before stabilizing. Kai's hands gripped the armrests of the chair as Iron-Hollow's skyline rose toward the ship.
Up close, Iron-Hollow was overwhelming.
Tower after tower of megastructure crowded the horizon; layer after layer of steel and glass reaching ever upward. Signs advertising products glowed brightly through the smog. Rail lines crisscrossed the landscape in dizzying patterns. The air itself seemed heavy, choking with industry.
Platform Seven lay ahead; a massive landing pad reinforced with blast walls, surrounded by observation towers and gun emplacements.
The Leviathan crashed down heavily.
The force of the landing reverberated throughout the ship; metal groaned as the weight of the ship came to rest on the platform. The engines sputtered once more; then fell silent completely.
Lights dimmed throughout the bridge.
"Fuel exhausted," Ark said.
"Emergency shutdown completed."
Kai closed his eyes.
"We made it," he whispered.
Sirens wailed outside.
Workers, soldiers, officials; all stood at a safe distance, looking up at the massive black warship that had fallen out of the Void Sea like a myth come alive.
The ramp creaked open with a loud clang.
Men in armor swarmed the platform; fifty or more.
They spread out in a defensive formation; their rifles and heavy weapons trained on the ship; their fingers tight on the triggers. Their exoskeletal armor clanked as they moved, and their optics glowed faintly in the haze.
A voice boomed through external speakers.
"Occupant of the vessel," it ordered. "Exit slowly. Show your hands clearly."
Kai took a deep breath.
"This is it," he muttered. "First impression."
He stepped forward.
The air slapped him like a blow.
Thick. Acidic. His lungs burned instantly as he coughed, and he stumbled slightly.
"Atmospheric toxins identified," Ark said.
"You may wish to consider external filtering."
"I didn't bring any," Kai gasped.
He pushed himself forward, and down the ramp with his hands raised. The soldiers followed his every movement, their guns always trained on him.
Up close, Iron-Hollow was worse.
The noise. The stench. The endless steel canyon rising above him. The neon signs reflected off the wet metal and oily puddles. The people watched from behind barriers and visors; fear and curiosity written on their faces.
Kai felt very small.
Very alone.
An officer stepped forward; his armor was thicker, and his markings indicated rank. His voice was amplified, flat, and cold.
"Do not move," the officer said. "You are being escorted by armed personnel."
Kai nodded stiffly. "I understand."
The soldiers formed a semi-circle around him, and they began to move.
They hadn't walked far when the officer's comms unit crackled.
He listened for a moment.
Then he turned to Kai.
"Orders have changed," the officer said. "Senator Vesper Blackthorn requests your immediate presence."
Kai blinked. "Now?"
The officer's expression remained unaltered.
"Now," he said. "Do not resist."
The escort tightened.
Kai looked back at the Leviathan; silent, dark, and still on the platform.
Then he was led into the steel core of Iron-Hollow.
To someone important.
And, he suspected, very dangerous.