After she descended the ladder and closed the hatch, they flipped on the oxygen switch and listened to the low hum of heated air filling the chamber. A green light flashed to indicate optimal pressure and oxygen saturation, and a door in the chamber wall clicked ajar. Doran removed his helmet and hooked it to the utility belt on his hip, then pulled open the door and peeked through to the other side.
“It looks like a bunker,” he said, taking in the concrete walls and floors of the dimly lit hallway. It led to a corner about ten yards ahead, then continued to the right. He noticed the slightly stale scent of recycled air, but nothing out of the ordinary. No reek of decay or musty odor of neglect. But despite that, his instincts told him this place was no oasis.
“I don’t see anyone.” He cocked one ear and added, “Or hear anything.”
A computerized voice called out from the chamber ceiling, making everyone jump in shock. “Interior air-lock port closing in ten seconds,” it said, and began counting backward.
Doran shared a nervous glance with the others. Because it seemed they had no choice but to continue or turn back, they made their way inside the corridor and removed their helmets as the air-lock door sealed behind them. In tentative steps, Doran led the way into the bunker. As soon as he rounded the corner, motion sensors activated a strip of overhead lights, causing him to shield his eyes from the brightness.
Solara squinted while hooking her helmet to her belt. “These sensors might report to a centralized system,” she warned. “We should be prepared for company.”
“Draw your weapons,” Renny told them. “But set the safety latch.”
Having never used a pistol before, Doran had to watch Kane to learn what to do. He removed his gloves and used a thumb to flick a switch near the trigger, then fisted the weapon and continued down the empty hallway.
After turning two more corners, they reached a set of double doors bolted from the outside. Without a glass pane or any labeling, there was nothing to indicate where they led. Doran glanced down the hallway at another corner, torn between continuing on and staying to investigate.
“You and Solara stay here and check it out,” Renny suggested, nodding at the doors. “Kane and I will see what’s down that way.”
“Sounds good,” Doran said, even though he didn’t like the idea of separating. He agreed to check in using the suits’ com-link, and then watched half the group walk away.
Solara took his hand and gave it a fortifying squeeze. Together they unlocked the bolt and inched open the doors while Doran pointed his pistol inside. The motion triggered another set of overhead lights, and a wide room came into view. His eyes automatically scanned for life, and when he found the room empty, he allowed himself to look closer.
The space was pristine, with white walls and glossy tiled floors. Several tables stood along the perimeter, covered in computers, microscopes, and an assortment of machinery. It didn’t take long to figure out the room’s purpose.
“It’s a lab,” he said.
Solara peeked around his shoulder. “What kind? Medical?”
“I don’t know.” Since it seemed safe, he holstered his gun and entered the room. “Let’s find out.”
They explored opposite halves of the room, starting at the entrance and working their way toward the back. As Doran moved from one table to the next, he detected a familiar scent, something that plucked at his memories of his internship with new product development. The smell was slightly sharp and metallic, like melting ore. Then he noticed a glass-paned furnace in the wall with a chunk of metal burning inside, and everything clicked into place.
“I’ve seen this before,” he said. “It’s fuel development.”
“Not just any fuel.” The sudden flatness in Solara’s tone prompted him to face her. She trailed her index finger along a data tablet affixed to the wall and added, “The one you’re accused of stealing.”
He rushed to her side and glanced at the screen, instantly spotting the word Infinium in several places on the page. The rest of the text was a nonsensical jumble of numbers and formulas, so he tapped the panel and returned to the main data directory.
He found a file called G.S. INFINIUM LABORATORY JOURNAL and selected it, then scrolled through the entries while Solara read along with him.
G.S. ENTRY #1: Solar Day 3, Cycle 9. Discovered Highly Unstable Ore With Unusually Long-Burning Properties.
“Look.” Doran pointed at a small clear bag of rocks resting on the table, labeled INFINIUM RAW ORE SAMPLES. “It’s like I said. I’ll bet my father found out how dangerous this was and wanted it destroyed.”
The next several entries confirmed his theory as the scientist detailed the challenges involved with stabilization. On its own, the metal was highly combustible to the point of weaponry use. But then the journal took a different turn. After several months of trial and error, G.S. found a combination of additives that allowed the ore to ignite and generate energy without exploding. Once the process was complete, he named the new matter Infinium, because it seemed to burn eternally.
G.S. ENTRY #243: Infinium is now stable, but its temperature output is too high for use in current engine systems.