The slot was narrow, and her shoulders pressed against the cold metal sides. Data conduits and hydraulic cables stretched overhead like branches; the air stank of burned oil and stressed hydraulics. Hooks ready to trip her feet covered the floor, while cables dripped lubricants into slippery green pools. She moved inward. Silent gloom descended, the only light coming from the slit of silver-gray sky overhead. Snow fell as the machinery groaned around her—gears meshed beneath her feet as compressed air blew stinking lubricants across the gap. She inched forward, fluids raining down to soak her in seconds.