Standing in front of what appeared to be the tip of a gigantic metal structure that protruded about twenty meters from the earth's surface, the shape had a similarity to a space shuttle, almost the cutting-edge technology that André had available.
Only the materials were something André had never seen. He was certain it was some new alloy exclusive to interstellar travel.
After looking for a long time, André could not find an entrance, so he could only give up for now.
"Óscar, organize ten soldiers to stay on guard. No one is allowed to enter without my authorization. The rest of us will depart immediately. All the supplies will remain here. Later I will send an excavation team; your mission will be to protect them while they carry out their task and prevent the entry of anyone."
"Yes, my lord."
Óscar did not take long to organize a small platoon of ten soldiers. Then he came toward André, who was still analyzing the object. The soldier stepped forward and introduced himself:
"My lord, I am Lieutenant Tony and I will carry out your mission with great honor."
Lieutenant Tony made a standard military pose.
"Good. I expect great things from you and your platoon. Do not disappoint me. Later I will send reinforcements; until then, everything here remains under your charge."
"Yes, my lord."
André nodded and then signaled the rest to accompany him back to the miners' camp.
"Óscar, mark the path with signs that they recognize and have a couple of soldiers memorize them so that they can serve as guides for the support team that will come in the following days."
"Yes, my lord."
The return journey took six hours because they delayed putting signs on the path. They left the mine already at the dusk of the day. Upon arriving at the camp, everyone was surprised to see that many of those who had departed were missing.
Alicia was the most worried, since she knew what André had come for. Before she approached to ask what had happened, André stopped her and then Óscar spoke in a loud voice, capturing the attention of all the miners present:
"Attention, the lord viscount has something to announce."
Everyone came out of the cabins and waited for the announcement André would make.
"Everyone, Overseer Orly, in an attempt to assassinate me, was executed. Therefore, he will be declared a traitor of the Solomon Viscounty. From now on, cooperate with my soldiers, who will carry out an investigation to find accomplices."
André's words made Alicia and Rose enter into panic due to concern. The miners were surprised: they did not see why Orly would do that. It should be known that, with the new mining methods provided by André, not only was their work easier, but they earned more than double what they earned previously.
No one felt pity for Orly, for he received what he deserved, and they were very cooperative with the investigation.
The entire interrogation process lasted until past ten at night. Óscar, the leader, presented the report to André. According to the results of the investigation, no one had anything to do with the assassination attempt, but they caught a dozen accomplices in the embezzlement of minerals for external sale.
"Very well done, Óscar. Your reward will be gratifying. As for those fellows, I will resolve them tomorrow. Now I am sleepy."
"Thank you, my lord. Everything is for serving you." Óscar made a military pose and withdrew.
In Orly's former cabin, everything had now been completely changed by Rose and Alicia. Many things were directly burned by the two, saying they were filth.
Upon entering the cabin, André was received by two beautiful pairs of resentful eyes and did not know how to act for a moment. Then he said:
"Go ahead, ask whatever you want."
"I want you to tell me how the things happened. Do not try to deceive us." Alicia was the first to speak, and Rose also had a look of agreement with Alicia's question.
"Alright, I will tell you everything. When we entered the mine…"
Of course, André hid some things, such as that he was taken hostage. If he said those things, Alicia and Rose would never again separate from his side. He also forbade the soldiers from saying that, especially to those two.
"I am not convinced; it seems you are hiding something from us," Alicia spoke.
"I have the same feeling," Rose added.
"It is only your imagination. Do not worry; I value my life a great deal and would never put myself in danger."
After much deliberation, André finally managed to convince them and they slept calmly.
The next day, André woke up very early. He did not manage to feel at ease in that cabin.
After breakfast, André followed Óscar to where the prisoners were. After a quick interrogation, André reached the same conclusion as Óscar and sentenced them to ten years of forced labor. Those who are sentenced to forced labor will not receive a salary; they will only be fed so that they do not die of hunger.
At midday, André appointed the next mine overseer. His name was Eusebio, a tall fellow with wheat-colored skin and an honest look on his face.
Back at the cabin, while spending time with Rose and Alicia, André received the visit he was waiting for.
Colonel Hugo Harris entered the cabin, followed by Óscar, and both made a military salute.
"Good afternoon, my lord. As ordered, we are lying in wait in the forest outside the Hertui Plain."
The Hertui Plain was located ten miles on the return road. There were five miles of a completely flat path, like a corridor of death, which the traitors had prepared to besiege André's retinue and put him to death.
According to the traitors' plans, half the army would be behind André and the other half would be in front before executing him.
"As the plan is agreed, tomorrow we will depart at dawn. Do not lose sight of the enemy."
"Yes, my lord."
André had an informant and manipulated them so that the attack would be there. His plan was simple: to avoid friendly fire, André's group would run toward the plain, attracting the pursuers and the group in front into open field, to shoot them in open field.
In the afternoon, André organized Battalion Captain León Blaise, who accompanied Colonel Hugo, to establish himself permanently outside the mines and maintain strong control of them. At the same time, two platoons were sent inside the mine together with one hundred miners to work on the excavation of the buried ship.
André could only, reluctantly, leave this matter for later. He only hoped that more would be excavated to see if it was possible to enter the ship.
The next day, the group departed back as planned. Upon arriving at the Hertui Plain, André saw a large group of militia in front and smiled.