The Servitor led the way through the hatch, with Vane and his four companions following behind.
The Tempestus Scions struggled to contain their excitement.
After they passed through several broad but utterly undecorated corridors, a massive mechanical installation appeared before them.
It was unlike any Space Elevator they had ever seen.
Crude was the only word they could find to describe the facility.
Normally, the journey from a Spaceport to the ground aboard a Space Elevator was comfortable, with smooth acceleration and comfortable seats.
Here, however, there was nothing but a bare metal floor and a collection of clamps whose purpose they could not identify.
Once the Servitor led them into the elevator, several locking mechanisms on the floor immediately secured them in place.
Before they could recover from their surprise, tremendous acceleration left them intensely uncomfortable despite the protection of their Hazardous Environment Work Suits.
When their vital signs began to fluctuate, the Servitor carefully slowed the elevator a little and kept its speed within that limit.
Under normal circumstances, this elevator needed only seventy seconds to plunge from the Starport in space straight down to the surface.
After acceleration and deceleration that made them feel as though they might cough up blood, the elevator doors slowly opened.
The Servitor stepped out of the car and waited by the doors.
On the floor of the enormous metal compartment, five work suits lay on all fours.
Several minutes passed before Vane and his team finally recovered. He swore that when they returned, he would have the ship send a transport down to collect them. He never wanted to ride a Space Elevator again.
But now, for the first time, they could clearly see the planet's dark surface in this star system untouched by starlight.
Aside from the metal foundations of