Subterranean Read Online Free Page B

they were performing on a sample of the planet’s crust using different levels of radiation emitted from a small device.
    “Hey, there.” Flynn waved to the scientist clad in white. “What are you doing?” He leaned over, bluntly asking the Subterranean while his eyes were still glued to a lens.
    “I have already told you, the notes detail exactly why this test needs to be performed again. If the inconclusive results are any indication of the uncertainty of our centuries-old assumptions, then we must be absolutely positive we cannot reach a safe conclusion before we present our findings to Tural.”
    The annoyed Subterranean appeared more brutish than his scientific inclinations implied, however his attitude made Flynn feel right at home in a laboratory back on Earth. The scientist was larger than most of the others and had a wider jaw that confidently deposited all of his elaborate terminology into the air. The spike jutting from the back of his head was longer and pointier than Rolan’s, who until now had the most impressive one of them all.
    Something about him was different, Flynn could feel it, but he didn’t quite know what it was. For one, his lips didn’t completely cover his teeth, so the sharp tips of both top and bottom rows were shyly visible.
    Flynn, still bewildered by the scientist’s different appearance and completely clueless as to what was just told to him, simply nodded as he answered. “What does Tural want to find from this?”
    Exasperated by the question, the scientist turned around, stopping himself halfway through his frustrated complaints when he saw Flynn in full view. “Oh, the human, yes.” He cleared his throat. “What are you doing in here? Did Tural not tell you to leave us be?”
    “No, he didn’t.”
    “Well, human, I will tell you then: leave us be, we are very busy.” He tried to return to his work, but could feel Flynn’s eyes upon his back. “Why are you are still here?”
    “Curiosity.”
    He gritted his teeth. “Is that your word for stubbornness?”
    “I suppose it could be.”
    Relenting, he dropped the utensils in his hands and pushed away from the lenses on his desk. “Very well, what is it you want?”
    “Information.” He said demandingly, quickly easing himself thereafter. “And if you need any help…”
    He folded his hands together. “No, we do not need help. Now, what is it you want to know?”
    “The history of this planet.”
    “I am a scientist, not a historian. Go bother Andel the Chronicler.”
    Flynn continued, ignoring his suggestion. “So, how old is this planet?”
    Annoyed by his persistence, he answered quickly. “Very old. What else?”
    “Were your people always living underground like this? In these caves?”
    “Yes. What else?”
    “Was the surface always so dry and barren?”
    “No.”
    “What happened?”
    “I do not know.”
    “What? How can you not know?”
    “No one does. Are you done?”
    “No. What do you know about the Ravagers?” Flynn began to give a careful description of the species, but was interrupted midway through.
    “Leave now, human.”
    Flynn, taken completely off guard, reeled from the demand. “What?”
    He repeated himself, slower this time. “ Leave now, human. ”
    “…Wait, hold on, I’ll ask a different question.”
    “No, leave.”
    “Please,” Flynn begged, “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just want to know about this place.”
    The scientist reluctantly acceded to pity and gave a great sigh. “Very well…”
    Flynn went on for another twenty minutes or so, asking him all sorts of questions about everything from the planet’s history to the evolution of the species. However, when Flynn asked about Tural, the scientist changed the subject almost immediately.
    “Radovan,” the scientist asked to be called, “you didn’t answer my question about Tural.”
    He tapped his finger impatiently. “What about Tural?”
    “I want to know more about him.”
    “So go ask him.” The