Chapter 14: Meeting the Underground, Part 2

"Here you are flattering me again." She turned his head away with one finger. "Maybe you will listen better if you look at Dan. Not that he isn't a vision in his own right." Dan rolled his eyes and Red blew a kiss at him. Trey felt a twinge of annoyance that they were so comfortable with each other.

"This," said Red grandly, "is the Underground. Some old rich guy built it as his escape from the ugliness of the world or something ages ago. We found it and turned it into this vision of bliss." Trey heard a few snorts from around him. "Most of us have places outside of the Underground, but there are a few who are full time rebels. We have our own economy and our own rules down here. If you act the youth slave down here, people may laugh at you, but they will forgive you. If you act the rebel against the Geris up there, you will die, or worse." She turned his face toward her. "We are not playing games here. If we are caught, they will kill us. Sometimes you might question how we do things. Save it for down here. Up there," she waved her hand, "we are all business."

"Red's right," Dan said. "some things you can never forget."

"But how do you keep all this hidden from the government? Just the energy signature must be huge."

"Rich old guy, again," Red tapped her head. "Can't have a retreat from the world if everyone can find it. A quarter-mile down there's a molten salt reactor to supply all our energy needs for the next fifty years. He also bribed whoever set up the surveillance in the tunnels so we can control what the cameras show to the computers. All the computers know is algorithms. Show them the right thing and you don't exist. We've hacked into the network on a broader scale, but the more you use that tactic the more likely some bright techie will notice. There are exits to the surface as well as through the tunnels, but they all go through businesses or homes we control."

"But now it's time for Trey to meet our fearless leader." She stood up. "Bring your tray over here." She showed him a rack identical to the one on the Reserve, then led the way into the crowd.

Though Red was shorter than Trey, she walked much faster, winding past booths with piles of clothes or books, electronics, or a mish-mash in heaps. Trey wanted to stop and look, especially at the books, but Red walked past without as much as a glance.

Trey was feeling the need for a rest when she and Dan stopped at a door with no knob. She knocked twice, then three times.

The door swung open to reveal a girl who looked a lot younger than Red. Her hair was bright blue and her eyebrows too. Her icy blue eyes glared at Trey before she smiled at Red. She wore a dress, which flowed from her neck to the floor sleeves touching her fingers.

"Come in. He's expecting you." Her voice was softer than Red's and lower in pitch. Trey felt Red's hand tugging on his so he smiled at the girl and followed Red through the door. Dan left as the door slammed shut behind them. Red led him along a carpeted hallway and around a corner. She stopped and held his hand while she looked at him.

"Listen, Trey," her voice completely unlike her usual bantering tone. "Stay away from Lizzy. She's dangerous. Stare at me all you like. Let your tongue hang out over the girls out there. But when you talk to Lizzy, keep your eyes on her eyes and your hands in plain sight."

"She doesn't look mean," Trey whispered.

"I didn't say mean, I said dangerous, and I meant it. Just be polite and you'll be fine. Never, ever touch her. Not for any reason. If she falls flat on her face in front of you, just wait for her to get up by herself. Not that it will ever happen. I've never seen her be anything but graceful. Come on, now that I have properly scared you." Red said returning to her usual tone. She let go of his hand and walked briskly down the hall and through the wooden door at its end.

They entered a spacious room. What looked like a large window was the biggest screen Trey had ever seen. It showed the outside market with all its color, but none of the noise. Trey caught a glimpse of Dan disappearing into the crowd. He pulled his eyes away from the screen. A man who looked just a little older than Mr. Destir sat at a desk in the corner. He tapped away at a keyboard and muttered into the microphone attached to his earpiece.

For once Red didn't jump right in, but stood and waited silently. Trey followed her example and took some time to examine the room. More computer stations in the corner were vacant. A large, worn rug covered the floor and softened the concrete. Paintings and bookshelves obscured the walls. Several comfortable chairs were set around a large table in one corner. The few rooms Trey had seen so far were variations on concrete grey, but the walls here were painted soft blue.

"So you like my office?" The Chief finished what he was doing and pushed himself out from behind the desk. He sat in a utilitarian wheelchair, legs ending above his knees, and his arms suggested dense muscle. More important was the glint of intelligence in his eyes. Trey walked over and stretched out his hand.

"I'm Trey."