Day 191, tactical withdrawal, deep shaft exit

The latest developments were considered carefully by those back at headquarters.

The well being of those on the frontline were not considered.  There was no ethical or moral thought given to what the outcome for them would be.  What happened to those on the frontline was accounted for by the benefit and the greater good that would be accrued for the majority - at least that is what was assumed.  If there was a sacrifice of any sort then it was reasoned that, on the whole, it would be worthwhile.  That they were not willing volunteers for a role that posed potential risks to health and wellbeing was less considered than it might have been, perhaps those in control would come to regret this decision.


Ratstard Melkenstuke sat silently in the office.  Charismatic megafauna had not been much of a thing in the life of Ratstard, one giant boggle eyed leaf chewer was much the same as any other, if it died close by then assuming it was upwind and the smell wasn't noticeable then fine, if it lived then assuming it didn't deposit something in Ratstard's path then it was unlikely to register.

Was the danger going to be large, furry, and vegetarian, or even larger, furrier, and carnivore?

Ratstard absent mindedly stuck the piece of lemon drizzle cake into one eye socket and made the squeaking sound of a trapped rodent.

"Aiiieeear, ugh, fuckwit."

Then the the inter-controller brushed the sticky mess out of one bloodshot eye. 

There had been a reduction in discussion on the topic of the potential hazard since the first wave had broken.  The escape shaft had been prepared, the stairs brushed down and the lighting repaired and configured to use the second of the three backup power rails.  They were ready, or at least they thought they were.


As Ratstards mouth puckered from the last crumbs of the bitter topping of the cake the first pulses of the alert siren sounded. From infrasonic, to trigger discomfort and a fear response, up to an oscillation between 1 and 3 khz.  The rush of adrenalin from the first pulses spurred the occupants to a hasty exit.


Ratstard fumbled to the top of the personal exit shaft.

It was locked from the other side.  Ratstard was stuck, trapped.










For official/internal use only:
7877

0-9