Lahani, Nahuli, and Riyanu crawl into the maintenance spine, clipped close to the scorched wall. Ozone and ancient dust thicken the recycled air.
Ahead, the artifact pulses through the cramped corridor, each measured flash exposing dense, non-standard wiring woven behind the plating like a concealed nervous system.
Riyanu
That architecture is deliberate. It does not match the rig, and it is not a repair job.
A deep groan rolls through the floor plates. Dust trembles loose from the seams, and the corridor flexes around their harnesses as the failing structure bears the new strain.
Nahuli
The rig is objecting to our curiosity. I would prefer it kept those objections theoretical.
Riyanu angles her scanner toward the wiring. Several branches carry faint current toward the artifact, while others vanish into older sections of the maintenance spine.
Riyanu
There are at least three control paths ahead. One is active now, and the pulse is getting faster.
Reach the artifact's core
Determine the nature of the artifact