Underground Machinery

Once inside, the team was greeted with pure darkness. The marks of the mysterious girl were mildly shining and served as some sort of a light beacon.

 The armors's light were increased to gain more visibility. 

 Just where did we get our selfs into?. Luna asked 

 Architect gave insight on it.

 Considering there is a notorious echo inside of here, I can confirm there are at least 17 meters of height. The floor is not entirely plain, the more you get to the edges the higher it escalates, therefore the entire complex must be shaped like a rounded cylinder. 

 What is the purpose of such a huge structure here in the middle of nowhere?

Unknown, the structure seems to continue on for more miles than I can count. 
My suggestion is that this was built as a shortcut to travel between zones.

 A shortcut? Do you think travelling here is faster than just flying in the plain open?

Well, It does offer safety and security as we just escaped from a tough encounter, also, not every armor is accustomed to fly long distances. Which is my case.

 Wait, if this was built for us to use why we were never told of it in the first place? 

 Unclear, considering how it seems abandoned no one must have used it in a long time, our superiors might be unaware of it's existence same as we are. 

 Are you implying that this was not built by us? 

 Considering we have among our lines a girl with unknown technology, the possibility of it being built by foreigners is high.

 Luna sighed

 The mysterious girl was pointing forward, in order to continue down the lane. 

 What are your orders?. Asked Harper. 

 We'll continue on and see where does this leads us to. Is time we get answers instead of more  incognites.

The team walked for a while, the road seemed unending. 

At this rate, this will take forever, said Luna. 

Lisa got an idea

 We can use our armor's thrusters to gain speed don't you think? 

 We are far away from the open, I doubt the ether flow is high inside here. 

 Only one way to find out. Ada, you know what to do. 

 Ada ignited on her thrusters, once she did the entire place seemed to resonate with it.
 A strong noise from machines inside the pipeline where heard. Some lights were turned on just for a second then everything went dark again.

Wow, did anybody else see that? 

 The mysterious girl pointed at the core of Ada, then at the tunnel, finally, making a sign with her hands of an empty bar being filled up. 

 Lisa, what is she trying to say.

 I...m not sure, it seems that our armors have something to do with this place.  Could it be that the ether coming out of the armors is what gives the energy to this place?

That would explain how it reaced to it, said Architect

In that case, we'll make sure to get it up and running. 
 Everyone, activate your thrusters.

All of them did it except the mysterious girl which didn't have an armor. Lisa approached her.

 Don't worry, I got you.

 Lisa put some of the detachable fangs from Ada around her to serve as thrusters. The girl nodded to her in response. 

 Lisa, you and the girl at the front, the rest, behind me. 

 Got it!

3
2
1
GO!

 As soon all the armors were ignited, the entire place vibrated, lights were turned on and inside machinery was hearable to be working now. The floor started to rotate clockwise. 

 Wow, the whole place is moving!.

Everyone, change cruising direction to 60 degrees, so we don't get dragged away.

 Roger that!

The team dashed forward down the pipe...

Suddenly, from the walls and floor started to arise movings panels that would serve as barriers.

Watch out!

The team reflexes were just enough to barely avoid the first barrier group.

If we hit one of them at this speed it could seriously injure us. Said Harper

 Luna reacted quickly to these incoming threats. 

Change of plans, Lisa, behind me, I'll lead the way, the rest, follow usclosely and react quickly.

 The team formed a single line formation, they would need to maneuver quickly to avoid being hit by the moving panels. It became a race against moving obstacles.

The deeper they went in, the faster the traps would start moving. Making it harder to keep the formation.

We can't maintain the current formation, we'll split in pairs, I'll go alone and lead the way. 

 At this stage, all of them would have to try their best to avoid the traps. While at it, there was a certain moment where Lisa felt a sensation of happiness and enjoyment, it seems more like a harmless game rather than a real dangerous situation. She spaced out for a minute.

How long is this gonna continue on? Architect asked. 

 Harper noticed something on his scan.

The road splits a hundred meters ahead. It seems to lead to the surface. 

 We'll take it, we can't continue in like this forever. 
 Everyone, we'll take aim for the split, don't miss it. 

 Roger that!. 

 The team went for the other way in hopes to get out of the pipe that became more of a death trap than a getaway. 

Everyone took the curve successfully, which led to a secluded area without traps.
All of them took a break by the exhaustion. Everyone gave their thoughs on the situation. Starting from Lisa, Architect, Harper and Luna.

That was fun! 

 Just what the hell was all that?. 

Next time we are walking and not using our armors. 

 That's what concerns me, the armors activated the whole place, including the traps, so it means that it was built to prevent people like us from getting around from what I understand. Which is strange considering we are the only people who lives here, why would you make something against us?

The lack of information about it´s existence and this girl indicates that we are not alone. It´s clear that the ether have many uses we have yet to discover.

The mysterious girl moved forward to the exit hatch with hastyness, she opened it the same way she did with the previous one. Everyone finally were back in the surface. They were in the middle of a forest.

Harper, any clue as where we are? 

 These are unexplored lands. Way beyond the city limits.

 Stay still, I'll contact Eden to inform him of our situation.

Luna managed to get in contact with Eden. She briefied him on everything they went through. 

It's hard to believe everything you have went through in such a short period of time.. I'll speak with the Chief about the underground structure. But our priority now is the girl, find where she belongs to and that might throw some light out of this, if you need support don't hesitate to request it. Eden out.

So, what is our next move?. Architect asked Luna

We´ll continue on with the mission.

Lisa approached the girl to try to get answers but the girl continued without saying a word.  The continued silence irritated Luna, which turned to the girl choking her.

I had enough of wandering around putting our lives at risk!.
Tell us who you are and where you are leading us to!. 

The girl was severely struggling under the strong pressure of Luna, who have an unprecedent strength due to her notorious physical strength.

 Lisa interfered between both

Stop, you are hurting her! 

 She is not our friend, she is the key to this and the reason we ended up here, she haven´t said a single word.

 And your plan is to kill her? 

 As the tension escalates  Harper interfered.

She is right, this is plainly excessive, at this stage we should continue the path, forcing ourselves upon her could lead us to her be wary of us..

Architect also stepped forward. 

Luna, we were tasked with this mission of utmost urgency and discrecy, interrogating the girl like an enemy just doesn't align with our task.

Fine 

 Luna let go off the girl, who was coughing due to being suffocated heavily.

The girl recomposed herself, stood up and Turned to Luna to get her full attention.
The girl proceed to grab her own neck with her own hand, similarly as Luna was doing it a moment ago. Then, she let go her neck and crossed her two index fingers to form a cross.

As it occurs, a voice coming from the deep of the forest was heard.

She is mute.