4 [Chapter 4 – Going in deeper]

The second underground floor of the mine, the most crowded part of the mines. Captains with their floating little cubes could be seen walking fast paced, eager to get their pay from the [Inspector]s situated on the first floor.

The wide main tunnel, it was said to dig so deep to reach the nether world, responsible to maintain the entire mining complex. I was currently there, trying to catch up to Inea since, at the gate, he rushed inside without waiting for me.

I must hurry to one of of elevators, a particular device utilized to descend onto the next floor.

All the miners around me had their lanterns fully operating, sincerely this brightness was making me uncomfortable.

Arrived on the third level of the mines, I began to search for the scaredy cat. Inea's little hideout was situated on this floor, since we spend most of our mining time here.

If he needs time to ponder about the difficulties of life he comes in this little hole on the side of an old tunnel, which nobody's using anymore.

"Worry not Inea, we'll help each other as usual, aren't we friends?" I told him.

Probably lost in his thoughts he didn't notice me until now.

"We are. But what will my little sister do without me?" said him with a worried expression.

"Isn't she still attending the gymnasium?" I asked him.

"Indeed, Ilenia is under the care of a [hunter]. But what if she has no talent like us. She will have to work here or even worse in a brothel." Sadness, anger, injustice were the feelings attached to his words.

"It's not fair Xeno! I started accumulating my hard obtained [coin]s for her sake. These filthy [Inspectors] playing with our lives like this..."

"Injustice or not you cannot fight back or retaliate, it would only amuse them more. Survive, that's the only way of declaring that you're not their toy." I said, trying to make him cheer up a little. I admit to be feeling pretty cool right now.

"I see..." said him pondering for a while.

Then continued "Alright, indeed the best option I have is to face this problem with a clear head"

Having accomplished my goal, I proceed towards the fifth underground floor. Now, in the company of Inea.

Dark. It was already darker on the fourth floor, but down there my lantern lights up to a radius of roughly 5 meters. I think it's a property of our planet that the deeper you go the darker it gets.

I mean how can it get darker if it was already dark on the previous floors. Is it darker than dark now?

Whatever, at least I can spot easier the rest of our team that was waiting for us a few meters from the elevator.

Upon seeing us two of the five miners start coming towards our way.

One of them stops in front of me, he has a little cube emanating a feeble ray of light. This one must be the captain. Watching him closer I notice that he is quite fit, his constitution isn't scrawny at all. He must be a successful miner. His pick hanging on the toolbelt seemed new, almost unused.

He's wearing a suit covered with dust and dirt, and around his face a piece of cloth, resembling a bandanna, that left out only his eyes.

The appearance of the other miner behind him is very plain, a ragged suit, consumed face, big callous hands. His confident expression confirmed my opinion, he must be a seasoned miner. He being a veteran is a possibility too, but if he has a [tool] he's clearly keeping it hidden.

"Show me your ID card, are you two members of team P-15?" Said the captain, with a decisive demeanour.

"What do you mean? I'm not obliged to show you anything, my name is Xeno and the mining site of the team is zone #231. This should be enough."

I answered, trying to master my courage. This guy sure looked scar, but at the same time really annoying. Asking for personal information so casually, like really.

Initially a little surprised by my response he remained in silence. Then he seemed to be getting more angry little by little.

The other miner, maybe prospecting the obvious scenario, interrupted the outraged thing saying "The newbie is right, apologize Stodran".

The celidre then gave, to who I assume to be Stodran, a mean look waiting for an answer.

"Tsk! Sure, sorry weakling, I won't pry in your precious informations any longer" said Stodran in a more sarcastic than apologetic tone.

Soon after, without uttering a word, he started heading to zone #231.

Definitely the rude guy. Bastards with his behaviour aren't that rare down there. Every one have sure it rough, but the more experienced ones usually don't care about new faces at all. They may have savings of [coin]s and a day less profitable won't be a problem.

"Let's go, you better follow us" said the plain looking miner, hurrying himself after the captain.

I stood silent for a moment, then I whisper on Inea's ear "Watch out and stay near me".

Stiffened a bit, he nodded and started walking to the already moving lanterns in front of us.

Miners perishing deep in the tunnels was not that unusual, as one could imagine. Instead them killing each other was a rare sight, as a captain was able to report to the [Inspector] any wrongdoing. I once heard that [inspector]s had a special perk granted from their [rank]. This skill enables them to communicate telepathically with the captains.

Nonetheless this very uncommon murders could be perpetrated only by the captains.

If one of them holds a grudge against you, being on the cautious side is the right choice.

Progressing through various side tunnels, we followed the luminescent trails of the team. Upon arriving on a seemingly open round space from which departed other small tunnels.

Our seven lanterns illumined sufficiently, the space we were in. Permitting us to discern its shape and the relative position of the tunnels.

Stodran divided the team in three small groups.

The first team was composed of the captain and the plain looking miner from earlier.

The second one of he three other miners we knew of only thanks their lanterns. Now I could see them more clearly.

Two plain guys, middle aged celidres you could often find in the mines. Dull eyes that already accepted their daily routine of hard labour.

The third member was their opposite contrary. His race was a lesser one in front of very common species like the celidres.

Four arms and a light red skin, more of a mixture between red and pink. Bulging veins could be seen under his forearms. They were indeed physically stronger than the average celidre and, often, smarter too.

But the enidians very rarely could be find in the mines or in other dangerous type of works. It was well known that they were extremely emotional.

They would usually put their lives at risk for the sake of others. At least during dangerous situations, obviously they wouldn't gift you [coin]s out of the blue.

That's way I was a little surprised about seeing a seasoned miner of this race.

Lastly the third group was made of me and Inea. The presence of the captain was essential to ensure our safety, at least for a small margin. Sending the groups to work to a different tunnel each could not be done.

"We should all proceed on the same tunnel. Then we'll chose a section near the end of the tunnel and work there, divided as previously decided." Said the seasoned miner.

We all nodded, acknowledging the decision. In case of emergency a well placed scream could alarm the captain and the rest of the team.

Pressing the emergency button was considered the last option at the captain's disposal.

It would teleport the [Inspector] after 10 seconds. But using it once it would deplete all of its

nano-energy, rendering it utterly useless.