Page 77 of The Viking in the Vault
Rishik adjusts his glasses. “Are we anticipating more anomalies in the ice structure?”
Kallisto sighs. “That’s the problem. We don’tknowwhat we’re walking into. The Eiskammer’s foundations are ancient. We’ve already discovered organic material that predates most recorded histories, and I suspect this might actually take us under the ocean, into the glaciers.”
Cosmia hums, flicking through her datapad. “And what about conditions in the sublevels? Oxygen? Temperature?”
Kallisto gestures at the projection. “Oxygen levels are stable in the first few chambers, but the deeper we go, the less reliable that will be. Everyone has their respirators, yes?” A murmur of agreement ripples through the team. “Good. And temperature—well, you already know what to expect. If anything happens to your thermal gear, get to shelter immediately. For what it’s worth, there should be shelters all along the way, thanks to careful planning by our predecessors.”
Davina nods. “And if wedofind more cryopods?” she asks, tilting her head at Kallisto. “What then?”
Kallisto exhales, casting a glance at me before answering. “We assess. Carefully. I don’t need to remind you that waking long-term cryosleep subjects is risky.”
“I woke just fine,” I frown.
She stares at me. “Not all cases are the same.”
I grit my teeth. “They will not be left in the ice.”
“That is not your decision alone, Ragnar,” Kallisto says sharply. “We are scientists. This is anexpedition, not a rescue mission. If we find something, it has to be handled properly. Just because you weren’t infected with any ancient pathogens doesn’t mean they’re not…and wemustexercise caution”
I feel the weight of the group's eyes on me, but I refuse to look away from Kallisto. “I will not abandon my people.”
Kallisto’s jaw tightens, but she doesn’t argue further. She only exhales through her nose and gives a curt nod. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
A tense silence lingers for a moment before Elena clears her throat. “Alright, so. First rappel, careful descent, Fenrik tracks, Cosmia and Rishik take samples, and we don’t wake any ancient aliensunlesswe have a clear plan.”
Ves smirks. “I vote we let Ragnar wake them if they look sexy.”
Elena groans. “Can wenot?”
“Too late,” Cosmia says. “I’m already invested in the sexy ice aliens. I mean…I want one too.”
Rishik rubs his temples. “This isexactlywhy I work in a lab.”
Kallisto claps her hands together, drawing everyone’s attention back to her. “Enough. Time to move out. Let’s get down there before the conditions shift again.”
Elena sighs. “Here we go.”
I take her hand as we step toward the edge of the descent.
And we begin our journey into the unknown.
27
ELENA
The air in the sublevels of the Eiskammer is thick with cold, settling in my lungs and making my throat dry with every breath. Ice cracks softly beneath our boots, the only other sound the occasional hum of our gear and the quiet chatter of the team as we move deeper into the frozen corridors.
Dr. Kallisto leads the way, followed closely by Davina. Cosmia, Ves, and Rishik chat on and off ahead of us, and Ragnar flanks me, ever-protective. Fenrik scouts the area, trotting back every so often to be told he’s a good boy.
And every so often…a tremor.
Every single one makes me swear under my breath, looking around anxiously. When I was down here before, stupidly trying to get samples from the Llaekis Prime cores, one of these tremors made the whole tunnel collapse…and I fell.
In hindsight, it’s pretty strange—all those tunnels down there.
And now, we’re going back.
Dr. Kallisto frowns, her breath visible in the frigid air. “Still unstable,” she mutters, glancing down at the shiny silver comm on her wrist. “Seismic activity is tapering off, but I don’t wantanyone taking unnecessary risks. Stick to marked pathways and avoid any overhangs that look compromised. And Ragnar—try to keep your dog in check.”
