Xeno Xoo Lost Chapter 3: Entering Randhra

It took just shy of half an hour to reach Randhra. Black and yellow barricades signaled the end of the Spine, which was pretty much a wall save for a small yard where two spare train cars were stored, one for passengers and one flatbed with fold-up sides for cargo.

A thick cluster of pipes was routed under the floor of the city’s short connector tunnel. It was just a smaller version of the Spine, with its own rail system for getting supplies off the train and into a large freight elevator at the end. With the train shut down, it was nearly silent save for the exhaust system along the ceiling. Bartok stepped off the train and onto the unloading platform, then put a finger to his lips.

He pointed at the ceiling of the smaller tunnel, not two feet taller than Geddy, and whispered, “If you put your ear to the side, you can hear ‘em. They’re lookin’ for a way in.”

They froze and put their ears to the side of the tunnel. To Geddy’s surprise and mild horror, he could hear a scratching noise through the concrete. Either it sounded closer than it was or a crypsid was just centimeters away trying to claw its way through.

“Why the hell did you have us do that?” Geddy protested. “If I have to choose between my crew and being ripped apart by these horror shows, I’m really gonna be on the fence.”

Oz gave his shoulder a patronizing pat as she passed him. “We’ll be fine. What could go wrong?”

“Remember now, many of these folks haven’t seen outsiders in a long time, if ever. You might feel like celebrities.”

Geddy grumbled in reply and fell in behind Oz as Bartok waddled down the walkway. About a hundred meters in, the connector widened into a cargo dock where workers were just about done rolling bins into a giant freight elevator. They gave Geddy, Oz, and especially Krezek quizzical, what are you doing here? looks.

Bartok took hurried steps toward the door as one of the workers was about to close it. “Jeepers, Ernard, can’t you see me runnin’?”

The man pushed a button to hold the door, staring at the four of them like they were novelties. “Who’re the Topsiders?”

A handful of other dock workers were huddled in the opposite corner, intently listening. Geddy gave them a sheepish wave.

“I’ll let them answer that,” Bartok said. “I’ve gotta get back to the port.”

“Yeah, I bet it’s a real hotbed of activity,” said the lift operator with a roll of his eyes. “We’ll take good care of ‘em.”

“Good luck, friends!” Bartok said as he receded down the tunnel. “Give Denk a shot in the arm for me, would ya?”

“You got it,” Geddy replied.

The elevator door closed, and the Durandians stared at them like museum exhibits.

Ernard’s eyes narrowed at Geddy, then popped wide. “Holy hell, you’re Geddy Starheart.”

Geddy’s chest swelled. He shared a confused look with Oz. “Yeah … why?”

“I never imagined I’d meet a Ponley Point champion. Can I shake your hand?”

The grateful, star-struck worker grabbed his hand enthusiastically, and Geddy flashed Oz his most luminous smile.

— Oh, brother.

— Come on. It’s about time someone recognized my accomplishments.

Oz rolled her eyes and took a couple steps back with her arms outstretched, forcing Jel and Krezek tight to the wall. “Stand back. There’s no telling how big his head might get.”

“Hey, I don’t ask for much,” Geddy said with mock indignation. “Once in a while, can I have some validation? Hm? Can you see your way to that?”

“Nope,” Oz teased.

“Guys, shut up,” Jel said. Geddy and Oz spun around. “Look.”

The clear elevator had descended below the dock structure, and all of Randhra opened before them.

A multi-vaulted cavern had been carved out of the rock and dirt, about as tall as the spaceport but several times wider and deeper. Three colossal central pillars supported the ceiling’s unimaginable weight. Each was ringed with lush crops under grow lights on manmade platforms clinging to the column. Each of those was connected by a foot bridge to rows of dwellings hewn from the rock like one side of an earthen hotel. Scores of small Durandians busied themselves in the farming levels or rode up and down lifts like the one they were in.

So Denk did come from a hole in the ground, but a decidedly more spectacular one than Geddy imagined.

“Wow,” Oz muttered.

“Wow, indeed,” agreed Geddy.

The elevator settled to a stop, and when the door opened, Ernard gestured for Geddy and Co. to lead the way out. “It’s been one of the great honors of my life, Mr. Starheart.”

“Thanks, buddy.” Again, Geddy turned to Oz as they exited the lift. “About time I got a little respect. As the great Commander Otaro Verveik once said, every man has to find his own …“

Oz’s eyes had swiveled to something behind him, her mildly annoyed expression blooming into a smile. He didn’t turn around quite in time to avoid running directly into an eight-foot-tall Kigantean who immediately wrapped him in a hug.

“Geddy!” exclaimed Voprot, who, in his excitement, hoisted him completely off the ground and spun in a circle like he was a toddler. Mercifully, it only lasted one revolution. “Voprot happy to see you!”

“I am happy to see you, too, pal.”

While his cheek was still pressed to the big lizard’s chest, Dr. Tardigan appeared beside them with as big a smile as he’d ever seen him wear.

“Greetings and salutations, captain,” said the Ornean.

“Oz!” exclaimed Voprot, finally releasing Geddy from his vise-like hug to give the same welcome to her.

He and Tardigan embraced briefly, then Tardigan pulled back with concern on his face. “Are you both okay? We’ve been very worried.”

“We’re fine. Let’s just say it’s been an eventful …”

Now it was Doc’s turn to become distracted by something behind Geddy. Dr. Krezek had exited the lift and stood sheepishly beside Oz as Voprot joyfully spun her around like a baby.

“Oh, sorry. This is Dr. Ehrmut–“

“Krezek,” Doc finished, brushing right past Geddy and eagerly extending his hand. “I’ve read all your papers. Your work on the role of lipid-soluble aliphatic aldehydes in spignork migration patterns is seminal.”

He gave an awkward, embarrassed giggle. “My goodness, thank you. And you are?”

“Dr. Krons Tardigan. I very much look forward to hearing your thoughts on our crypsid situation.”

— Is this what they call a ‘meet cute?’

— Uh, maybe?

“Hey Doc, where’s Denk?” Geddy asked.

“Right here, Cap.”

Geddy spun around again to find Denk approaching him with a retinue of important-looking Durandians. In contrast with Voprot and Doc, he wore an apprehensive look.

“Denk!” Geddy exclaimed, closing the distance between them. Without reserve or hesitation, he dropped to one knee in front of Denk and pulled him in with an emphatic pat on the back. “Man, am I happy to see you.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Far from it.” As was often the case lately, the size of his emotions surprised him.

He swiped away a tear before it could tumble down his cheek. The important-looking man at the head of Denk’s entourage noticed and gave a crooked grin.

“Are you crying, Cap?” Denk asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Geddy released Denk and rose to his full height, which was nearly twice that of the Durandians.

Denk took a step to the side. “Cap, this is Norrin Napthar, Overminister of the Underground.”

“Welcome to Randhra, Captain,” said the leader. He was more rotund than Denk, with a wispy gray beard that cradled his fat-cheeked face like a hairy cup. “Denk has been dazzling us with tales of your adventures.”

He smiled and gave Denk a wink. “Has he? Sounds to me like you’ve got enough problems.”

Napthar’s eyebrows arched. “True enough.”

“What about the lizard?” he nodded at Voprot, who was easily three times the height of the tallest Durandian.

“He’s a voracious eater, but easy to please.”

Geddy managed a smile. “That’s a … charitable assessment.”

“We’ve been anxious to meet you and the rest of your …” His eyes swung over to Tardigan and Krezek, then narrowed keenly. “My stars. Is that Ehrmut Krezek?”

The others in his entourage, all men, had a similar reaction to Krezek.

“You remember him?”

“Of course! In fact, we’ve been trying to reach him for the past week.”

“He was indisposed.”

Having seen Napthar, Dr. Krezek came over and knelt in front of him, and they embraced warmly. The rest of the crew gathered beside Geddy.

“Ehrmut,” Norrin said. “This is a most pleasant surprise.”

“My dear Norrin, I’m aggrieved by your troubles. If I can help, I will.”

— People really talk to each other like this?

— It cannot all be clinking glasses and slaps on the back.

Krezek rose, by which time the other conversations had fallen silent. Passers-by gawked as they went about their business, hope coloring their expressions.

“The Ministry is meeting tonight to discuss our course of action. I’d like you to join us as my guests.”

“Sweet. We’re all really good at making decisions.”

“Splendid. In the meantime, I’m sure you and your crew have some catching up to do.”