The Descent into the Maelstrom (The Phantom of the Earth Book 4) by Raeden Zen

resource shortages, terrorist attacks, and the status of improvements to the back-end research laboratories—topics that bored Antosha to the point of sleep. When he awoke, and the meeting adjourned, he knelt before the chancellor and said, “Chancellor, may I have permission to speak freely?”
    “You’re speaking now, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, but what I’m about to say should be held in your confidence.”
    “Rise, and speak to your chancellor freely.”
    “Thank you, Chancellor Masimovian.” Antosha stood, as did Masimovian. They walked to the edge of the boardroom’s rooftop. Masimovian Center and its tower in the center glistened in the distance, and seagulls spread shadows over Artemis Square closer below. “My work into Regenesis is nearly complete, in truth. And I’m confident that as I learn more about the Lorum’s molecular structure, the way it protects itself from intense heat and pressure unlike any organism on the Earth, I can create the tunnel to the surface and the terradome our people deserve.”
    “You would have me remove Minta from this project?”
    “You brought me back to the commonwealth for a reason, did you not?”
    “Yet so far it seems you haven’t proved your worth. The terrorists attacked the Phanes Beltway without your foresight or insight into the zeropoint field.”
    “Their treachery runs deep, Chancellor. It will take all my effort to help Lady Isabelle destroy their network—”
    “And now you seek a new assignment, one that would require far more effort than Regenesis, and I presume Gwendolyn Horvearth isn’t idly touring the commonwealth with a Marshlandic artist. I presume she thinks he might help her in your candidacy for Reassortment.”
    “Jeremiah Selendia and Captain Barão after him were assigned to both Regenesis and Reassortment—”
    “And neither succeeded. I don’t know how you can expect to take on so much with hope of conversion.”
    “Dr. Shrader will awaken, and with him I’ll seek a viable construct to alter the terradome structure, then the transhuman genome, so we may defy the Reassortment Strain.”
    “You are not the supreme scientist of Reassortment.”
    “Whether the ministry selects me or another … worthy candidate … Dr. Shrader’s knowledge and my expertise with the Lorum will be invaluable to resolving this most ardent task. In this regard, I have another request of you.”
    “By the time you’re finished, there won’t be any benaris left in Phanes.”
    “The Mission to Earth’s Core is of utmost importance, no doubt, with our Lorum ally on the brink of extinction, but I’d remind you that we have our own problems, and the Holcombe Strike Team’s services could enhance our probability of solving the Reassortment enigma.”
    “You’re proposing we break the treaty?”
    “Not at all. What I recommend is a temporary stay of the Mission to Earth’s Core, by your decree, and a reassignment of the Holcombe Strike Team.”
    “To what?”
    “A new mission, one that I think will pave our path to the surface and solidify your place among mankind’s greatest leaders.”

    Area 55
    Boreas, Underground North

    “We have some problems,” Lady Isabelle said.
    “Crazy me,” Antosha said, “I thought you came all the way here to convince me to join you in the Borean spas.”
    He stood beside a workstation and manipulated thirty others that surrounded the Lorum orb, its gold, scarlet, black, silver, and yellow colors weaving, counterclockwise and clockwise. “Did you know that fool Captain Barão had apparently built a z-wall around the Lorum—”
    “This is serious.”
    Antosha ignored her. “The question is: Why would the foolish captain do such a thing?”
    “I don’t care.”
    “The only reason to create a quantum barrier like this,” Antosha continued, “would be if the Lorum on Vigna communicated with the Lorum on Earth and with the captain.” Antosha turned to Isabelle, who’d folded her arms. “Do you know what