Editing Deep caverns

|type={{cat tag|Caves}}

|universe=[[Cytoverse]]

|books=[[Skyward (series)]]

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== Location and Ecology ==

A number of connected caves, including [[Highway Cavern]], make up the deep caverns. They are considered safer than [[Igneous]], due to their distance from the surface.{{map ref|United Defiant Caverns}}{{book ref|sky1|13}} They could possibly withstand a [[lifebuster]] bomb being dropped on [[Alta Base]]; however, this is not a guarantee and a lifebuster could potentially cause them to collapse.{{book ref|Sky1|10}}{{book ref|Sky1|13}} Additionally, the caverns would not survive orbital bombardment which would destroy the entire [[United Defiant Caverns]] if successful.{{book ref|sky2|2}}

It is possible to travel from Alta Base to the deep caverns in less than five minutes,{{book ref|sky1|52}} although the journey normally takes closer to fifteen.{{book ref|sky1|15}} Scouts from the protein factories hunt for rats in the deep caverns.{{book ref|sky1|31}}

A large colony of [[Taynix|taynix slugs]] live in within the deep caverns. It is unclear if there is a single group of this species that congregate in the same section of the cave system, or whether the taynix can be found hidden in different pockets of the larger network of tunnels. Those with [[cytonics|cytonic]] abilities are able to perceive the slugs from the settlements built within the lower caverns.{{book ref|sky2|i|2}}{{book ref|sky2|epilogue}}

The [[National Assembly Leader|government]] of the United Defiant Caverns can be found within the deep caverns, and is presumably made up from the wealthy families that call the caverns their home.{{book ref|sky1|34}} There is animosity between the [[NAL]] and [[DDF]], with the former being overly critical of [[Ironsides]]' leadership and decisions, and the latter, frustrated with the lack of proper support provided by the government.{{book ref|sky1|i|3}} Despite this friction, Ironsides attends a formal dinner with NAL [[Algernon Weight]] and his family once a week.{{book ref|sky1|24}}

Although several families that live in the deep caverns, with at least one containing a member of the NAL, own private fighter jets, these ships are unlikely to ever be willingly lent to the DDF in an emergency.{{book ref|sky1|48}} Instead, these private ships are a means of escape for the family that owns them, and use by the DDF, especially during a crisis, poses too much risk for the owners.{{book ref|sky1|48}} Eight private ships are currently stored in the deep caverns, with three belonging to the [[Valda_Mendez|Mendez]] family.{{book ref|sky1|49}}{{book ref|sky1|35}} These ships are also used as escorts during trade runs.{{book ref|sky1|35}} The piloting jobs for these operations are highly competed-for and usually filled by retired DDF pilots.{{book ref|sky1|35}}

=== Cytonics ===

The existence of [[cytonics]] is a contentious matter that is disputed by several members of the deep caverns, including some who are part of the NAL.{{book ref|sky1|i|2}} Some of the more prominent families that live in the caverns may have a family history of cytonic users, and are thus particularly active in suppressing knowledge of the defect.{{book ref|sky1|i|2}} Although Ironsides' provides these dissenters with data collected on [[Spensa]], they remain resistant to claims of the defect's existence.{{book ref|sky1|i|2}} Denial of the defect by these families likely became much harder following the [[Second Battle of Alta]], due to Spensa's use of her abilities to save Alta Base and the United Defiant Caverns from destruction.

People who live in the deep caverns often wear more formal and business-like clothing,{{book ref|sky1|13}} have a faint accent,{{book ref|sky1|10}} and are cleaner than those who live in Igneous or at Alta Base.{{book ref|sky1|13}} Children from wealthy government families are sent to [[Flight School]] to be trained as pilots, as well as gather recognition and respect from their peers.{{book ref|sky1|34}} This provides a good foundation for them to move into government roles, with parents pulling their children from the DDF after they have served a certain portion of time as full pilots.{{book ref|sky1|34}}

The [[Disputers]] movement has gained traction, and may have started, in the deep caverns.{{book ref|sky1|21}} The safer nature of the caverns likely contributes to the Disputers' belief that the [[Defiant League]] should become less militaristic.{{book ref|sky1|21}} Despite their growing presence in the deep caverns, it is likely difficult for them to disrupt the culture of the upper class.{{book ref|sky1|28}}

A third of off-duty duty pilots,{{book ref|sky1|1}} overseers,{{book ref|sky1|13}} and those who have gained high enough merit{{book ref|sky1|13}} live in the deep caverns. It is also possible for those who do not live in them to attend school there.{{book ref|sky1|23}} The exact lineage of those that reside in these caves is unknown, although several of the more influential families are descended from the groups who mutinied aboard the [[Defiant (starship)|Defiant]] before it crashed on Detritus.{{book ref|sky1|i|2}}

The command staff of the DDF, as well as DDF ships, are rotated through the deep caverns, with a third of each being located in the deep caverns at any one time. Four flights of ships, ideally with ten jets per flight, are stored in the deep caverns and can be retrieved in an emergency.{{book ref|sky1|48}} There is, however, a significant delay in the time it takes for them to be ready to engage due to transportation time. This limits the DDF's response force in battle and impedes calls for reinforcements. On the other hand, it also provides a measure of security for the people in the Defiant League in a scenario where Alta and Igneous are destroyed by the [[varvax|Krell]].{{book ref|sky1|31}}{{book ref|sky1|32}}

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