Dominion by Scott McElhaney

waiting for them at their tent when they returned from breakfast.  He informed them that the tunneling crew had worked through the night because of Hawke’s arrival and had reached the buried spacecraft.  Even as they spoke, the tunneling crew was cutting their way through a second hull.  They had cut through the outer hull right around the time Hawke was ordering his Pepperbutter Sautéed Breakfast Platter.
    Night Rain urged them to waste no time following him to the tunneling canopy so they could be among the first to tour the metal city beneath their own.  Several science crews were also readying themselves for the momentous event.
    “So, no one knows if the air is even breathable in there yet?” Hawke asked, following quickly behind the governor, “What about radiation or ancient disease spores that have been sealed up in there for eons.”
    “Seriously, Hawke?” Night Rain said, waving them to pick up the pace, “You’re going to bring up all these questions now?  Between you and me, I think it would already be too late once we open up the ship anyway.”
    “What is it that you are hoping to gain from this anyway?” Kashuba asked, “It’s not like the ship would be operational and even if it was, it’s under a billion tons of ice.”
    It started snowing as they made their way to the main road and then started toward the Iron Rainbow.
    “You two are really a couple of downers, you know?” he laughed, “I’m just excited at the prospect of discovering and learning a better technology than the Shomani have to get into space and to explore.  I’m intrigued by the idea of visiting other stars and galaxies.  We can hear all the Cheronook activity up there, but we have no hope right now of joining our brothers and sisters in space.”
    “Have you personally listened to the stars?” Hawke asked, “Have you got to hear what is being transmitted from Radio Star?”
    “You’ve heard of Radio Star?” he asked, never slowing his progress as he looked over to Hawke.
    “Yeah, I met a guy by that very name last night,” he replied, “ He said that it’s the loudest of the stars.”
    “I know the guy you’re talking about,” he said, pointing toward a group of people surrounding a canopy near the roadside, “Yeah, I’ve heard Radio Star, but it’s the star that’s got the least to offer.  Their transmittals, though clearly in Cheronook, seem to be more private in nature.  It’s like they are communicating to each other without realizing they are broadcasting it to the universe.  A lot of nonsense.”
    “ Hey, if the Iron Rainbow is way over there, why is the entrance over here?” Kashuba asked.
    Night Rain stopped and turned to her , bearing an expression of excitement that he was anxious to share with those around him.
    “Two reasons, my dear.  One is because we tun neled down at an angle so we could easily navigate the tunnel in the future without elevators.  And two, the ship is unimaginably enormous.  Our entire village is built above some portions of the ship.”
    “Oh my,” she muttered.
    He grinned widely at the two of them, and then turned and gestured toward the crowded canopy.  He continued on to the canopy and then forced his way through the crowd, nearly knocking down two men in the process.  Most of the people in the area appeared to be curious onlookers instead of the scientific community that Hawke had expected.  Once they made their way through the group, Hawke got his first view of the inclined tunnel.  A cart was ascending from the depths, pushed by two sturdy men, so he was unable to get a clear view of the tunnel’s depth.
    “Governor,” a guard greeted him, “Sky Listener and his group are down there and are anxiously awaiting your arrival.  He asked me to send you down immediately when you arrive.”
    “Thank you,” Night Rain replied, motioning for Hawke and Kashuba to follow.
    “Uh, sir?  I was told only to permit you and Meriwether Hawke.  I was