After restoring the makeshift hoods and shades, having another short talk with Shakir, and negotiating additional details, the couple followed the Fuveall's instructions to leave the warehouse and approach the underground transports.
Shakir had to escort the couple to another area of Do 56 to access those services. The place was still inside the seemingly massive warehouse, in another narrow room that worked as an elevator. Khan and Liiza took it, and the two descended into the tal landmass' insides.
The environnt that unfolded when the elevator opened forced the couple to halt their steps to inspect the area.
A long, vast street expanded left and right, creating a perfectly illuminated black tunnel that cut through the landmass. Two sets of railroads stood at its center, following the channel and creating a symtrical scene.
Crowds of people gathered under specific spots highlighted by blue holograms that hang in the air on both sides of the tunnel. Those lights showcased words in various languages with the sa anings, declaring specific destinations.
anwhile, similar holograms shone on the floor, featuring countdowns. They were red, but their light grew greener as their numbers approached zero.
Khan only glanced at his sides and past the railroads to gain a general understanding of the place. The many curious, wary gazes flying in his direction also confird his hunch. Clearly, he had used an elevator unique to the Fuveall to get down there, and the people in the crowds tried to find signs of allegiance with that species.
Still, despite the specific elevator, the crowds didn't only feature Fuveall. They were the majority, but Khan also spotted humans and Orlats. The last two groups had probably arrived at that node through the sa transport Khan planned to take, but that didn't make them harmless.
Khan was no newbie to lawless zones. rth 290 wasn't Milia 222, but the two places had to share more than a few hidden rules. Knowledge was king in those areas, and Khan and Liiza weren't exactly inconspicuous.
Everything about Khan and Liiza's attire scread that they were keeping their identity a secret. Yet, expert eyes could notice many clues from their seemingly casual arrival.
The Fuveall were generally tall. They weren't as huge as the Thilku or Scalqa, but Khan and Liiza didn't make the cut. Still, they had descended through an elevator private to the Fuveall, aning they had businesses with them.
It was unclear how many knew about the Fuveall's businesses in Do 56, but so local higher-ups were bound to be aware of them. Once the news spread, many forces would know that two curious wanderers had reached rth 290, relying on its illegal services to create fake identities.
As for the consequences, Khan could only guess. He believed nothing would happen right under Do 56, or that day for that matter, but news spread fast. Chances were soone would approach the couple sooner or later, especially if they remained in such eye-catching clothes.
'We really need to go shopping,' Khan concluded.
Khan instinctively went into battle mode, but Liiza experienced far different reactions. Her awareness of the area didn't dwindle, but she couldn't help but brim with curiosity at that peculiar scene.
The Niqols knew technology, but that was a world made of machines. The landmass looked like a giant chanical monster now that Liiza had seen its underground face. That wasn't life as she knew it, but it was undoubtedly alive.
That srized state didn't escape the ntal connection, but Khan only addressed it when Liiza took his hand. She wasn't scared. She didn't need emotional support, but that was their first appearance in public as a married couple, and she wanted the world to know it, even if their faces were hidden.
Khan couldn't help but wear a loving smile under the makeshift hood. The couple didn't indulge in any public display of affection but started moving together. Their steps weren't hurried nor compelled by missions. Khan and Liiza simply strolled over the tal floor, bathing under the white illumination while enjoying their ti.
Khan took the lead, occasionally stopping whenever sothing caught Liiza's attention. He approached a less crowded set of holograms beside the railroads, waiting his turn in line until he could tinker with them.
The holograms described a map of the landmass' underground transports, highlighting their various nodes and connections. The place looked littered with tunnels, but Khan only needed to learn about a few that day to reach his intended destination.
Of course, the holograms also allowed people to purchase the entire map, but that required money Khan still didn't have access to. Besides, Rodney's information was far more detailed than the public tool's.
A loud, whooshing noise filled the area while the couple was still studying the holograms. A white vehicle appeared in the distance, riding at incredible speed over the railroads before suddenly slowing down and stopping where the other crowds had gathered.
The vehicle was nothing more than a train that levitated over the railroads. Its artificial gravity had to be good to allow such sudden stops, but Khan had seen similar transports in Reebfell, so the sight was hardly surprising.
anwhile, Liiza looked captivated by that machine. She couldn't help but stare while the crowds boarded it, hurrying inside due to the new cooldown on the black floor. The train set off as soon as that number reached zero again, quickly disappearing from the area.
Khan felt slightly pleased. Liiza had always been a free spirit, and he was now showing her many hidden faces of the universe. He wanted to indulge in his stare at her covered, srized face for his entire life, but the aliens behind him had sothing to say about the delay.
"[Get moving]," A female Orlats, seemingly in charge of her team of five aliens, cried. "[Can you understand ]? Get moving!"
That probably was Liiza's first ti seeing an Orlats so close, so she couldn't help but stare at her. She paid special attention to the piercings above her eyes, looking curious about their utility.
Khan pulled Liiza's hand to give a silent order since the Orlats clearly didn't like being stared at, but two mbers of her team ended up blocking his path.
"What?!" The female Orlats cried again. "You made us miss our shift by keeping the queue busy. We expect compensation. Compensation!"
The other Orlats in the team echoed that last word, and Khan could only roll his eyes. Appearing as re custors of the Fuveall could hint at their loaded status. It seed the private elevator didn't offer any aningful protection from low-level criminals wanting to rip off clueless tourists, especially when they clearly wanted to lay low.
Luckily, Khan knew the perfect answer for that behavior. The Orlats team mostly had first-level warriors, with only the leader on the second level. A good kick was bound to settle the matter, but the female Orlats reached for Khan, and Liiza wasn't as rciful.
"You are in charge, don't you?" The female Orlats said, attempting to grab Khan's arm, only for a far colder hand to land on hers. Liiza had let go of Khan to stop that alien, and ice imdiately spread from her palm.
"Did you just try to touch my husband?" Liiza asked, but the female Orlats barely heard her. Her whole attention was on her dark red arm, which was now completely frozen.
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