Underground

Where are we supposed to be going again?

Underground.

Why are we supposed to be going there?

We’re trying to win the trogs over to our cause. To find allies.

Did these guys actually invite us, or are we intruding?

Sophia mad contact, didn’t you?

No exactly. But I think we’ll be welcome.

We’ll blame you if it all goes wrong.

What are we going to tell them? What’s our story?

Just be honest. They prize honesty. And they’re very good at detecting lies. They’re very authentic. Very themselves.

How come you know so much about them? How did you win their trust?

I bring them news. Tell them things. They like to hear about the outside world.

This is just some philosophical anthropology gig. For your philosophical-anthropological fieldwork.

 

They have their own culture. Their own way of doing things. That’s what happens when you’re underground for nigh on thirty years.

How exotic. What an adventure.

 

Are there rats? Are there creepy-crawlies? I’m easily disgusted. Are there earthworms? I have a particular horror of earthworms.

 

There are tunnels like this in other places, too?

I think so … under other universities.

 

They don’t think they’re going to be here forever. This is a staging post, that’s all.

So where are they going to go?

Further underground, maybe.

There’s further underground?

There are levels and levels.

 

They think we’re all doomed. We up-siders. Surface dwellers.

 

Nimrod … I don’t know the details. I’ve never met him, not really. But he’s their leader. As good as. Their subcommander – that’s what he calls himself.