Interstellar Spark

Barren Star Base sprawled as an unprecedented underground colossus, carved into four quadrants: east, south, west, and north. These zones etched evenly within the planet's core, their combined expanse swelled to two and a quarter times Earth's surface.

Broad flight corridors linked each quadrant. Their inner and outer defenses and surveillance systems stood forged with matchless rigor.

The planet's surface appeared as solid rock, yet it consisted of layered, reinforced synthetic steel. Magnetic shields bolstered this facade, capable of withstanding prolonged assaults from any known weapon. Over a million counterstrike laser clusters and surface-to-air missile bunkers lay hidden beneath the crust, adding further strength.

Energy pulsed from three sources: the base's internal fusion reactors, solar power from the Devil sun, and "interactive neutrino reactors" in each zone. Any single stream could sustain the entire facility alone.

Each quadrant bore a distinct purpose.

The eastern zone housed Massimo's cosmic fleet. Two Devil Ray supergiants anchored the force, joined by ten two-kilometer Sharkfin warships that formed the Fallen Legion's backbone. Countless smaller, well-armed craft—fighters, tanks, and ships—filled the ranks.

This base predated his vaunted Sin Paradise by nearly a millennium. Concealing it amid the galaxy's billion systems proved effortless, a feat that eluded the Federation's grasp.

Such cunning revealed the true depth of Massimo, the Augment mastermind.

All this rested on Claire's unseen hand. Their alliance blended intellect and might in perfect harmony.

It stood as Sin Paradise's deepest secret. The Federation remained ignorant, and even Jacob, his wary ally, stayed in the dark.

The southern zone, tiered across two hundred levels, sheltered the military populace. It teemed with a city's vibrant leisure: bars, theaters, and dens formed a vast subterranean realm.

The western zone churned as a military-industrial hub, crafting food, goods, and arms. The northern zone cradled research labs and training grounds, home to the Humanity Lab.

Every underground expanse thrived with "ecocycle systems." Artificial suns mimicked day and night, cycling oxygen and carbon dioxide in balance. Controlled pressure, man-made rivers, and flourishing plants thrived within these sealed domains.

After Fallen docked at the eastern military port, Massimo boarded his bespoke "Tycoon" war-flier. Flanked by forty tank escorts, he soared through a two-kilometer-wide corridor toward the north.

An hour's swift flight brought him from the passage into the boundless northern zone, a world unto itself.

A colossal faux sun blazed golden warmth from a cerulean dome. It illuminated dense woodlands, winding artificial rivers, and geometric metal structures below.

The "sky" buzzed with traffic. Fliers darted aside as "Tycoon" passed.

His convoy slowed as they crested an artificial peak. Beyond stretched endless grasslands and groves, a breathtaking vista.

No buildings marred this expanse, save one: a giant metallic woman's head and neck rose from a central lake. Her exquisite face gazed upward, gleaming with an otherworldly silver sheen beneath the false sun.

This was the dreaded Humanity Lab.

Her parted lips yawned wide. Massimo's "Tycoon" broke ahead and slipped inside with a whoosh into her vast skull.

Scarlett and Brian's vision blacked out, plunging them into utter darkness. Michael shouted, "Back inside!" He seized their waists with ease and hauled them up. Behind them, the door clanged shut.