Two-Thirds Blue

Chapter Two: Ethically Questionable

Hewn from a natural formation of underground caverns, the home base of the Resistance militia protruded aboveground as a stout hill littered with smoldering chimneys and enormous slabs of flat stone. A single broad doorway was cut into the side of the hill, at either side of which was posted an armed and armored guard. The surrounding trees cut off sharply, giving way to the manned guard towers and barricades that lay around the perimeter of its grounds. It was a relatively small outpost, established in response to the rozkod threat, but well guarded. No one could enter without being seen. Unless, of course, one had another way in.

Natural fissures and hollows were regularly carved into new quarters and passages, but not all of them had been mapped just yet. A ways to the north of the main entrance was a shallow stream whose coiling path branched off toward a narrow crevice in the stone, just wide enough for a medium-sized person to climb into without getting too wet. It was a recent addition to the landscape, likely pulled open by the expanding ice of concurrent winters until finally crumbling into an effective secret entrance. Rade had discovered it the year prior, and wasted no time in divulging its location to Dusk and Syk, who eagerly– or in Dusk's case, reluctantly– joined him in making use of the freedom it offered. It was through this hidden passage that they reentered the Resistance headquarters, guided only by their hands in the crushing darkness.

"One of these days, we've got to bring a lamp or something with us," Rade said. "I've just stubbed my toe on that rock again."

"That's the rock's way of telling you not to sneak out so often," Dusk said.

"No, it's the rock's way of telling me that we need to bring a lamp next time."

Though jagged and constricting, the passage was straightforward and, much to Dusk's relief, rat-free. It was several minutes before it widened into a more accessible section of the cavern­­­, situated just beyond where Resistance builders were in the process of carving out a new expansion in the rear of the cave system. Their work was over for the day when Dusk emerged behind Rade and Syk, pickaxes and chisels strewn about the growing room amidst piles of stone dust and rubble. A wheelbarrow sat in the middle of the chamber, half-full of debris, still waiting to be emptied.

They left the unfinished room and found themselves back in the vast, winding hallways of the Resistance headquarters, surrounded on all sides by walls of solid granite, lit by oil lamps in braziers. Dark holes marked the low ceiling every few meters, a complex network of vents that channeled smoke and fumes out of the cavern through the chimneys above. Several other rooms and corridors branched away from the passage, mainly living quarters and storage. Common areas were located in the center of the cavern, alongside the galley and dining halls. Just beyond them lay the infirmary, close enough to the entrance for quick access in case of severe injuries sustained outside the Resistance grounds. Plumbing, fortunately, was not an issue, thanks to the natural underground streams that emptied into a nearby river.

They each had their own small accommodations, arranged adjacent to each other in the northern wing of the Resistance base's upper level. The furnishings were sparse and efficient, consisting of basic wooden chairs, tables, lockers, and beds. Like most rooms, they had no proper doors, but the entrances were angled to ensure privacy from passersby.

While Dusk appreciated the shelter and orderliness offered by life in the Resistance, he could never grow accustomed to spending so much time underground, locked in by hundreds of tons of stone and dirt. Sometimes he felt as though he lived in a dungeon. Despite the many sprawling hallways, conditions were always cramped and stifling. He could understand why Rade and Syk were so keen on leaving whenever possible. Often he wondered whether they ought to simply quit, but they had nowhere else to go, no other purpose. At least here, they had something to fight for every day.