Fall of the Mutants: Prologue 2 (b/d 19th Jan)

[x-callisto.livejournal.com]

The Morlocks meet to discuss their missing people. The Tunnelers have different ideas from the Dwellers on how to move forward.


"They are killing us." Berzerker said quietly. It was no surprise. Berzerker always talked quietly; in dark side tunnels, dank alleys, forgotten basements. It would be him and another Morlock. Maybe two. Talking in low but urgent tones about the dangers the upworlders represented and the lies they used to keep the Morlocks scared and hidden. He would whisper about injustices, repeating a list like a mantra; his mnemonic rosary of Morlock pain, underscoring his main point. The upworlders cannot be trusted. The upworlders hate us because they fear us. The upworlders should be afraid. There was nothing noble or inspiring about being a Morlock, but that quiet voice had a way of infusing the idea that maybe, just maybe, there could be. He was one of the first advocates for turning their habit of using street names into a sign of a cause. Ray Carter was an upworlder. Berzerker was a Morlock.

"I've had two people go missing. These weren't rookie Tunnelers, either. They knew the waterfront warrens better than anyone. The only reason they could have disappeared was someone taking them out."

"We don't know they are killing anyone," came a quavering voice, one familiar to all present. Though his bearing and way of speaking were frail Callisto and the others knew there was a strength within Healer that would not falter. It was why so many trusted him, and why he was here speaking for them now. "Only that they are disappearing. Not that this is any better - the upworlders can be cruel to those they do not understand."

"And then some," agreed Sunder in a low rumble. "But whatever's happening to them, our first priority is keeping our people safe. So what do we do?"

"We stop burying our heads in the outflow. You huddle down here and pretend that the upworld doesn't know or care about us. My people see more." Berzerker said, refusing to budge an inch. "We're being watched. You can see it at the edges; new cameras, more security, maintenance and surveys being taken into tunnels that haven't been touched in decades. Like I said, they are afraid of us and more importantly, we're now in their way."

"Fighting accomplishes nothing," Healer replied with a sad shake of his head. "I recognise the injustice of being driven further into the shadows by their encroachment, but we we only risk hurting our people if we lash out at them. No, we must retreat, and wait out this storm."

Callisto stood off to the side, watched the conversation, blue eyes darting between the speakers.

"Retreat doesn't mean we do nothing," she reminded the assembled now. "We can protect ourselves and gather information at the same time. We should wait 'til we know enough to cut these people off at their source, not hack away at the edges. We move now, it's messy and it draws more heat our way."

"They're already coming, Callisto. The longer you wait, the more concentrated they'll make us. If we strike back now, hit them in multiple locations simultaneously, they'll have to spread themselves thin trying to cover every approach. That neutralizes their numbers advantage. We can draw them into the tunnels in small groups and pick them off."

"Strike back at who?" was Callisto's retort as she stepped closer to the focus of the group. "Pick off who? We have no idea who we're up against here, no idea what they want or what their resources are!"

"If they're in our tunnels, they're the enemy. We show them that coming after us here costs them lives." Berzerker shot back. "We put together teams of Morlocks and start blocking access. Take down the cameras, seal up some tunnels, leave a few dead upworlders behind as a warning."

"No, no!" Healer said emphatically. "There is no need for any more death! Our people should be drawing together, preparing to find a new home for the time being. Perhaps in time we can return, repair... but we must keep our people safe."

"Where do we run this time, old man? We've already been driven down here. Now you want us to, what, flee to the ends of the system. Huddle together in some old line in Brooklyn and wait for them to finish us off? The only safety we have is what we take from them - in blood if needed."

Callisto clenched her jaw, drawing up to her full height - which was still considerably under Berserker's. Nevertheless, the temperature in the room seemed to drop just a shade, the background murmuring coming to a sudden hush.

"This is not how we work. This is not who we are. We value one another too much to risk our own like this. We watch, we wait, and when we know more, we decide how to act." She stepped a little closer to Berserker, voice lowering, though keener ears in the chamber still caught the mutter through gritted teeth. "Don't make me put you down."

Berzerker stared at her for a long moment. He was running the odds in his head; of taking her down, of having enough Tunnelers to properly support a coup.

"We aren't going to wait around to be picked off, Callisto. If you can't find out who's doing this and how to stop them before the next bodies turn up, we're going to have this discussion again." He said, finally ducking his head. "And it might be very different, next time."