The higher they went, the thinner the oxygen in the air became.
The hovercar was equipped with comfortable seats and climate control, completely shutting out the terrifying cold and low pressure of the snow-capped mountains and plateau. Through the viewing windows, the passengers watched sunlight pour over the other side of the range, only to be swallowed by shadow a few heartbeats later. Howling winds battered the transparent armored glass again, clinging stubbornly to it. The pilot barely stabilized the hovercar's course in the sudden gale, steering it away from the sharp rock face. Following the lights that kept flaring to life on the ground, he landed on a helipad surrounded by countless lights amid the vast snowfields.
Supiluliumas gripped his halberd tightly as he stood beside a black cliff blanketed in snow, looking down at the hovercar rising from the darkness cast by the valley. Azure flames from its turbine thrusters melted the thin snow and ice beneath it, sending up a vast cloud of scorching vapor mixed with snow and ice. This peak was an absolute death zone for explorers. Even if they spent twenty thousand dollars to hire five Sherpas, they might not make it alive to this rock.
The hovercar landed on a cleared black-rock platform. As the modified civilian vehicle lowered its gangway and released its passengers, Supiluliumas stepped forward with two cyborgs carrying heavy weapons at his side. He had never considered this necessary, however. There were plenty of anti-air missiles deployed here already. If they waited until they needed to fight back before using Heavy Explosive Rounds or Heat Guns, it would be too late.
"Welcome to Dhaulagiri Peak, Ms. Hand." His voice was amplified by the communications grille, calm and steady, with little emotion like every Praetorian Guard. Still, Supiluliumas tried to