The two heat signatures detected by the Bird Spectrometer were probably two operating supermassive nuclear reactors, the kind where one alone could supply power to every human on a planet.
These two supermassive reactors were on opposite sides of the great plain, installed more than 500 meters underground.
Hunter saw vast numbers of pipes of all sizes beside the two reactors. Hundreds of millions of life-forms were active along those pipes, presumably those alien rats.
One red and one blue, the two rat factions were of unknown origin, possessed their own nuclear reactors, had built their own underground cities, and were enemies.
Just what were they doing here? The question caught Hunter's attention.
Long-range observation could not provide clear intelligence, so Hunter decided to descend to the surface and enter the two rat-owned underground cities to see just what they were doing.
"Kaka, I've marked a location. Drop me off there."
Kaka, who was piloting the Shuttle, glanced at the coordinates that appeared on the holographic screen, acknowledged the order, and quickly flew over.
The location Hunter had marked was a small peak about ten kilometers from the red rats' underground reactor.
The cloaked Shuttle switched to low-power silent mode and slowly approached the peak.
The Shuttle hovered about three meters above the peak and opened its rear hatch.
Holding his Laser Sniper Rifle, Hunter tapped the screen on his left hand several times.
The cloaking coating on his body immediately activated, concealing his figure and turning him into a distorted ripple.
Hunter leaped down, his transparent body landing like a thin sheet of clear plastic wrap slipping to the ground.
The Shuttle's rear hatch closed, and it took off again. Kaka's voice came through Hunter's earpiece:
"Hunter, I'll hover nearby in the Shuttle. Come back up when you're done,