31. Ground Breaking Developments

        As the train trundled up the tracks toward Fina, a deafening explosion rocked the Underworld, like an earthquake the ground shook, the lights went out and the train lurched to a halt into the pitch black. Alarmed, the students got out of the train and gathered on the sidewalk to assess the situation, illuminating the scene as best they could with their lighters.

         "Aquilla" Bell theorized out loud. Having grown up so close to the Gora Lab he was well educated in the historical events that had tormented the Empire, Aquilla's fiery wrath still threatened them today, hence the Coming War.

         "Well, sounded like he knocked out the generator" Nolan replied. "How is that possible?"

         "Maybe it was just a coincidental break down" Josh offered.

         "Yeah, right." Nolan lifted the engine shrouding in an attempt to identify some sort of clue in the dim light.

         "You're just going to get dirty" Josh knew how easily Nolan got sucked into these things.

         "Maybe it's just a loose wire... That was a big shake you know..."

         "Forget it Nolan, we're so close, let's just walk from here." Josh knew Nolan well enough, he had slept in his bed when he was in night school, it was as if Nolan was completely oblivious to oil and grime sometimes, in spite of his good looks. Being a medical student, Josh had a heightened interest in the social scene; 'Fina' was his favorite class. And in the same way that Nolan had to be coaxed from the Engine Chamber, Josh had to be coaxed from 'Fina'. When they went to Fina together, they neutralized each other somewhat, Josh felt like he could control himself much better when Nolan was there. Nolan was his ticket to success in more ways than one. On top of his good looks, Nolan's Panther slash Merchant status granted him authority over the average gen, he was respected for his special education, it gave him a magical attraction, elite status, even if only semi-official. Josh knew Nolan was being groomed for the Firmary and he knew why, too. Nolan had the flaxen hair. Nolan was a Top Dell Breeding model complete with an Orius brain. Nolan was smart. Nolan had the right education since day one. Nolan was destined to make it big.

         Nolan was smart but he was also super stupid at times. If only he realized how many goddesses were prepared to throw themselves at his feet, he would realize how powerful he could really be.

         "Come on, forget it" Bell chimed, impatient.

         "It's dead" Nolan confirmed, giving up.

         Without wasting any more time, the students followed the tracks along the dark tunnel towards Fina.

         As the loose chunks of ceiling stopped falling from overhead, Orius uncurled from his fetal position, apparently alright, none of his bones felt broken. The blast had taken out the lights… He couldn't see much for the thick smoke and had to almost feel his way out of the lab into the now scantly lit halls of the Underworld.

         "WHERE DID IT COME FROM?" 

        He could hear Atalon thundering into the Hub already, the fear in his voice was apparent. Always quick to assume that Aquilla was to blame, the creature was like a built-in scapegoat, she always took the front end of an unload and by the time Atalon discovered the truth, he had usually cooled sufficiently for him to weather the blow.

         He braced himself for a lecture, nonetheless. Atalon was storming towards him at full speed, flanked by Halios and his crew of brave soldiers.

         "Orius! How bad is it?"

         "Your Honor! My apologies!" Orius did his best to come clean right away and fell down on bended knee. "Please forgive me for the false alarm, for the trouble I have caused you and your establishment. The blast was my fault, Your Honor!"

         "It was you? Get up!"

         Humbled, Orius stood head hung. "I assure you the trouble I have caused was not in vain."

         "Ha! Entertain me!"

         " I may have just discovered a way to artificially generate a Light Serpent."

         For a moment Atalon felt mocked. "What?"

         "Yes, Your Honor. For real. The explosion proved it. If I can artificially generate a Light Serpent, then I can manipulate and harness it too!"

         "That's what the explosion was about?" Atalon's expressions changed like a new mask, it was good news if true.. "You generated a Light Serpent? How do you know that's what it was?" 

         "It's complicated..." Orius wondered how he would explain how his experiment had unfolded. "You should have seen it, it was huge! Good thing it was such a small scale experiment or there would be daylight down here!"

         Halios liked the sound of it. "Can you recreate a miniature version for a Show and Tell?"

         Orius scanned the damage... "I can try … Maybe we can test it outside?"

         "Good idea! We can try it up on Mount Ekar!"

         Orius sensed the enthusiasm catch on. "I think it's an energy source powerful enough for the vimanas, much more powerful than I had anticipated. This, Your Honor, has been a groundbreaking development!"

         The words were like ear candy but Atalon reserved praise. "Yes, it certainly felt like it was ground breaking. How much will the damages to the lab cost this time?"

         Orius was well rehearsed in apologizing and filling out L&D reports. "It... The damage... It's dark in there... It's probably just a few furnishings..."

         "Torus will need a full report by the morning" Atalon reminded as he turned to leave. "I want every test tube accounted for, and hurry up with those bloody skulls!"