Summary
The captured warship carries the party into the floating capital, where it locates the Naa-side Project Sunrise installation and evidence of grotesque experiments on abductees. The group captures Reginald, a scientist-engineer whose technical knowledge makes him a guide and collaborator.
Detailed Narrative
The captured military skyship approaches the floating Nardic capital. The party develops an infiltration plan that uses the ship's recognized status and autopilot while concealing members of the group until they can enter the secure complex without presenting themselves as obvious off-world attackers.
Inside the capital, they find long sterile corridors and increasingly disturbing evidence of what the Nardic regime has been doing with abducted humans. Most importantly, they locate magical/mechanical infrastructure that matches what Carrick taught them about Project Sunrise. This is the Naa-side anchor/bridge installation they ultimately need to destroy.
The laboratories/prisons also contain piles of remains and transformed victims. The party fights creatures described as “Mansquitos”—humans warped into blood-feeding insect monsters—as well as bone-based constructs. The implication is clear: some of the people taken from Drankov and elsewhere were used in biological/magical experimentation rather than merely enslaved.
The party captures a lizard/fleshwarp scientist-engineer who becomes known as Reginald. Under threat, bargaining, and the promise that he can continue scientific work, Reginald becomes cooperative. He has technical knowledge of the bridge and knows the layout of the capital, including the palace/throne areas and where prisoners are likely to be held.
Reginald is not treated simply as a disposable prisoner. Baby in particular recognizes the value of his expertise, beginning the relationship that later turns him into her post-campaign research partner/dependent. He agrees to guide the party and help operate/destroy the bridge.