The cool but dusty conditions of the quarry made the work difficult, but Lero could barely stay focused. The prisoners were taken out of their max-security complex, and were once again mining away for iron and similar minerals and ores. The war production must have really been ramping up, as the quota was reaching numbers far higher than most of them were actually prepared for. As ridiculous as it was, it was giving Lero a potential opportunity.
With the guards so focused on reaching that high amount, several of them had been assigned to inspectors and surveyors looking for more of the resources, causing fewer of the guards to watch over the inmates. Looking around with a pickaxe in hand, Lero could point about three of them in his nearby vicinity, although they were looking at a pair of women, causing the man to shake his head in disgust.
"You found something?" a voice whispered in his ear, causing him to jump up in fright.
Turning behind, he could see Keru wiping the sweat off her face, with her own pickaxe supporting her up. She was really following him everywhere, as Lero took a breath to collect himself.
"Bloody jumpers, you are everywhere!" he hissed back at her.
"I am trying, to get out of here." she pointed to her head. "You using it to get us out of here?"
"It's not that easy, ya know. There are fewer of them creeps walking around, but in terms of escape-" Lero turned his head towards the sky, until something caught his eye.
Just on the very top of the quarry, was a small hole that could probably barely fit the both of them together. Recalling the incline on the walk up, on the top were large sections of tall, uncut grass that one could easily hide into. Of course, the guards would initially block their way leading them back to the carrs, but if they could create some type of distraction while or even before they reached the top would they have a chance. As basic of an idea as this was, it would likely be their best shot of ever escaping the facility without getting caught or at least avoiding much risk.
"I finally got it!" Lero roared with joy, causing nearby prisoners and the trio of guards to stare at him. "I found some iron!"
Holding a small piece, he grinned as if it was such an accomplishment until one of the guards marched towards him. Before he even knew it, the piece of metal got snatched from him, and the butt of the taboon slammed to his neck. Gasping for breath, Lero looked at the sole guard, staring with evil intent, before turning around and not saying a word. The two other guards simply pointed and laughed at the fallen man, while Keru had helped him up.
"Thank you." Lero forced out, rubbing his neck. "I know how to get out of here."
"Good job, you've finally done something for once." she gave him a quick hug, before grabbing her pickaxe. "Just let me know the move when we get back, and I can't wait to get to work."
Barely able to nod, the man was slow to grab his pickaxe as more guards began to come back into the quarry itself. They finally had hope, and it was time to implement.