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"Of course," Tania said, "no problereement, she turned and pushed herself into the curved corridor Rungs attached to all four sides of the hall aided speed and trajectory

She frowned at the station’s austere décor, a trait she’d never paid any thought to before Visible pipes and ducts laced the walls, unpainted Flat areas were used to store things in custoht had been spent on the aesthetics Compared to what she’d seen of Platz Station, it all seee," Tania said to the group "Or Red Level, as we call it The central hall on each level has a different colored floor, since they tend to look alike As you’ve seen, this one contains our pri with nuo bay on Green, for backup purposes," Natalie added "Black Level, at the other end of the station, has one, too But since the Elevator cord doesn’t extend there, it’s never used"

Sofia asked, "This ring doesn’t rotate Why?"

"It’s ," Tania said "Easier to move supplies and maximize our space"

"Yet the hall is curved?"

Neil cut in "Reuse ofplans It’s cheaper that way"

The curt answer silenced her Tania continued along the wide hall, curving ever upward Large segular intervals lined all four walls Each door had a code stenciled on it

"I’ll need to survey all this later," Sofia said

"Of course," Tania replied "It’s all in order, I’m sure"

"The climber problem has everyone spooked," Neil said "Sofia has a mandate from the council to ensure all stations have ample reserves"

"And," Alex added, "that they are appropriately staffed"

Tania caught a hint of venom in Alex’s tone

"Don’tover what to wear for his date with Russell Blackfield"

"Someone has to talk to him," Alex said

"Children, please," Sofia said She frowned at Tania "They were at it the whole way up here, like a couple of grade school brats"

After a long series of storage rooms, they came to an open lift

Tania waited at the entrance and ushered the guests inside "Orient yourselves so the red floor is down"

She entered last and pressed the control to take them to Green Level, via the central spine

"Hold on to so in relative silence, broken by the occasional lurch as it transferred fro portion of the station

Gravity, or the illusion of it, increased the farther the lift moved away froht her guests looked reen-carpeted level quickly, passing only one group of researchers ere in a quiet conversation with a maintenance crew When the workers realized that Neil Platz walked at her side, their responses varied fro, sterile hall, they cauards ht of Alex Warthen

Before Tania could speak, Alex approached the uards were tense in their commander’s presence, a far cry from their usual relaxed demeanor

"At ease," Alex said "I want the squad asseuards exchanged surprised looks

"In theCouncilwoman Windon to see the Shell I will personally escort the member He punched a series of codes into his console and the first set of transparent doors silently slid apart

Tania led the group inside, where they waited as the first doors closed again After a short pause, the second set opened Beyond, a long, straight hallway led into the distance, illuht

They walked in silence until the halfway point, where they passed through an open bulkhead "Halfway to White Level," Tania said

Sofia asked, "Why are these two levels so far apart?"

"Fear," Neil Platz said, before Tania could open her an construction here, to study the daht explode Or some such nonsense So as we expanded we left a two-hundred-meter buffer on either side of White Level"

At the end of the connecting hall they entered a utilitarian tunnel, replete with unpainted metal walls and exposed ductwork "I expected white floors," Sofia said

"This was built first,scheain "Then why call it white?"

Tania shrugged "Good question"

Neil cleared his throat "It was supposed to be eggshell, as in the shell ship, but everyone kept saying white"

The level was cramped, haphazard coles, around exposed ventilation shafts and bare s The group’s footsteps clanged on a floor of steel grid tiles Air flowed in through circular vents that hung fro

Neil explained as they walked "Platz Industries built Anchor Station to study the Elevator, and of course the re We added on only later, e realized all the other research that could be conducted with so much scientific activity centered here The hub of it all, until the plague came"

"What did you hope to learn here?" Sofia asked

Neil paused in his tracks and turned to face her He studied the wo "How to build another space elevator To replicate this incredible gift"

Tania grinned at his enthusiased "Of course I was a businessman Even now, it’s still a hile pursuit"

"We can barely keep this one running," Alex said "What the bloody hell would we do with another?"

Neil glared at the security director "Double our rate of trade? Allow for soain? It’s essential that we continue our studies here"

"We’re all looking forward to some actual results," Alex said "Maybe you’ll be done before this one fails completely"

Tania saw Neil’s fists clench In the uneasy quiet, she struggled to think of so to say It had never occurred to her that Anchor Station’s purpose ht be considered a waste of time, especially by a member of the Orbital Council She wondered if others shared the view A glance at Sofia Windon gave no hint of her opinion

Natalie broke the silence "The Shell is this way," she said, then took a few steps toward the destination