Aldric, the chief of command of Ant Hill, gave Lucky the courtesy of showing him around the base. If Lucky would stay on the base for the time being, as their temporary floor clearer, he might as well get familiarized with the place he would be staying in.
The problem was, Ant Hill was huge. A day wouldn't be enough to see all the floors and departments. Hence, Aldric only showed him to the places Lucky would surely frequent.
"This place is huge," Lucky mused, following Aldric in the hallway to their next destination. "Do you think if you send a rocket up, it will hit the Metro in no time?"
Aldric laughed. "A magic barrier protects the Metro from outside attacks. A rocket would explode even before it hit the Metro."
"Oh." Lucky rocked his head. "Wait. How did you know that?"
"Do you think we hadn't done that in the past?"
Lucky was in awe. He almost clapped. But when he heard Aldric's explanation, he forewent the thought of applauding the man.
"It shows in the records of the first chief of Ant Hill."
"So, it's in the records, huh? Fair enough. You didn't seem the type to make crazy decisions." Lucky rocked his head. "So, what is this place in the past? A research lab?"
"It is. It's the former headquarters of the creator of the Metro."
"Wait, what?" Lucky stopped and turned to his side, pointing a finger up. Aldric also stopped at the same time. "You're saying this very place is where that place up there is created?"
"From the very concept till finish." Aldric nodded. "And when the last people left, they abandoned this place. Just like how they abandoned hundreds of millions of people in this land."
"Wow."
Aldric smiled, regardless of the irking response from the man.
"The one who built Ant Hill as it is today was originally part of the research team," said Aldric, resuming his steps. "According to the records, his team left him in here."
"That's sad."
Aldric glanced at Lucky, only to see the man showing no sign of sadness. "They ganged up on him, tied him up, and abandoned him while they all went to the Metro."
"Sucks." Lucky scrunched up his nose. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, Lucky. I just find you amusing." Aldric peeled his gaze from him. "You say one thing and show no expression at all. And even with that, your eyes tell another story."
"What story?"
"As if you don't care about anything at all."
"Because… I don't?"
"And that's why I find you amusing."
"Hah." Lucky shrugged. "You're welcome."
Aldric let out a short chuckle. "Most of the Visitors I met were either scared or confused. There were a few who were arrogant and ambitious."
"And I fall into the category of being arrogant?"
"Arrogant, but not ambitious. I find it an odd combination that there's no combination at all."
"I am actually very ambitious." Lucky grinned at the man. "But I guess not as ambitious as the one who created the Metro."
"I have to agree with you on that."
"Anyway, where are we headed again?" asked Lucky. "I find our conversation very entertaining that I can't tell if this path is endless or time is just slower than it's used to."
"We are here." Aldric slowed down and faced him, turning to his left where a door was. "The path here is long and it could feel longer if it's someone else you're with."
Well, if this someone else was Donna, Lucky might not have reached this place at all.
"I'll introduce you to my lieutenants and some key individuals in Ant Hill," said Aldric as he opened the door with a smile.
Lucky raised his brows, following Aldric from behind. As soon as they stepped in, Lucky arched a brow as his eyes glossed over the people inside. The meeting room was larger and more spacious than he expected, the entire wall on the opposite side of the entrance was made of glass. But with the fog and dust, one could barely see through anything before the built-up molds in every crevices of the wall.
There were at least ten individuals inside — excluding the chief and Lucky. Some of them were seated at the long oval table in the middle, while the rest were scattered in the room. There were three people, however, who caught Lucky's attention instantly.
The two men were standing over a person with one of their feet at the man's nape. The third guy with them was the one bleeding on the ground.
"Is this a meeting room?" Lucky mumbled. "Or was it the advanced and private way of the gallows?"
Aldric chuckled as he clapped. "It's the meeting room. Everyone, may I have your attention?" His mouth stretched, waiting for everyone inside to look in his direction.
"I'm glad many of you came today despite the short notice. I will cut to the chase." Aldric moved his hand in front of Lucky. "I'm sure you've already heard of him. This is Lucky, the Visitor Nero met in Forsaken Heights. As of today, he will be joining our meetings as our official floor clearer. Please treat him with equal respect. He will only join us throughout his stay on the 13th floor, so there won't be a need to feel threatened… yet."
Lucky glanced at Aldric, wondering if Aldric even took a breath with that introduction. But he was the chief, so there wouldn't be any need for him to beat around the bush. Hence, Lucky checked the people and their reactions.
'Half hostile and half neutral,' Lucky mentally rocked his head, catching a few people who looked stronger than anyone he had met so far. 'Not bad. I wonder who was the gatekeeper yesterday?'
As Lucky guessed who was the person controlling the gatekeeper yesterday, one man raised a question. When Lucky gazed at him, he instantly recognized him as one of the men who was 'bullying' the unconscious man on the floor. But then again, there might be a story behind the two men ganging up on one man in this place.
"What should we do with him?" asked the man, tipping his head toward the unconscious man. The other man with him still had his foot on the unconscious man's nape.
Lucky glanced at Aldric, curious about his verdict. Aldric didn't seem strong, but rather a kind and welcoming man. One would easily feel comfortable with him. So, Lucky was a little curious about what sort of leader Aldric was.
"Kill him."
"Very well."
Lucky furrowed his brows, almost flinching when he saw the man stomp on the man's nape without a second hesitation. A loud crack echoed in the room as blood splashed on the floor and the man's pants.
'I don't know if that's better than the guillotine, but his neck did break in one try — what is that?' he squinted his eyes, catching little sparks inside the man's neck. "Is that a wire?"
"He's an Artificial Intelligence sent from the Metro," Aldric explained to him, watching Lucky slowly look back at him with equal surprise and astonishment. He grinned from ear to ear and added;
"Welcome to the Gutter, Lucky."