In the final post of Uninhabitable, Cycle 1, we watch as Catacomb City’s reach exceeds its grasp. It is understandable; no one can maintain their focus forever. Eventually, everyone needs a break. But in a harsh post-apocalyptic world, breaks in vigilance come with a cost.
212.
So now, we begin excavation.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 6, 2020
I only hope I can prevail upon the others to go slowly and carefully, and that our care allows us to avoid trouble.
Maybe then, we can thrive in this cave.
I'd love nothing more than to be proven wrong about the risk we face.#microfiction#scifi
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213.
"Wait, why do families get priority? That's not fair!"
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 7, 2020
"Simple: the more people that move into the new apartments, the fewer who are crammed into the ones we have already. We're excavating more ag space now, but we'll have another residence block soon."#microfiction#scifi
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214.
"Sir? There's water seeping into the newly excavated chamber."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 10, 2020
"Did we hit another sewer? Those are a mess to clean up."
"I don't think so, sir. It's already ankle-deep."
"Really? Where could that much water possibly… unless… oh, shit, the Tiber."#microfiction#scifi
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215.
"We should evacuate."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 15, 2020
"What?! Can we not repair the damage?"
"We can. But just in case, people need to be out of harm's way."
"They won't want to leave their new homes. And the surface is hardly 'out of harm's way'."
"Let's make the evacuation voluntary."#microfiction#scifi
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216.
Apart from the risk of sunburn, a few days in the sun won't hurt us.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 16, 2020
The traitors are likely gone, and security'll take care of them if they aren't.
The new apartments will be waiting when we go back down.
But if the repairs fail?
Better to wait up here.#microfiction#scifi
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217.
Is it a risk? Absolutely.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 17, 2020
But so is everything on this godforsaken planet anymore.
So I'll cling with both hands to this little scrap of something I can call mine.
I've lost so much already; I can't lose more.
And I'm not the only one who feels that way.#microfiction#scifi
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218.
How long until the surface is safe again? 100 years? 200?
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 20, 2020
Better a system that allows us to make fixes and adjustments.
Which is why instead we'll divide it into a series of airtight chambers that can be accessed, pumped out, and fixed as necessary.#microfiction#scifi
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220.
"No. But when that wall does give, the system of compartments will allow us to fix it without risking the whole city."
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 21, 2020
"And if those compartments aren't built yet? The water just started seeping in faster."
"Shit! Everyone, reinforce that wa-"
*whoosh*#microfiction#scifi
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221.
A couple hundred people got to the surface tunnel and escaped.
— Wild Speculation Studios, Andrew Reising 🌈 (@WSpeculation) February 23, 2020
A few dozen more found pockets of high ground in the caves from which we were able to rescue them.
Everyone else is gone.
So now, we press forward, full of sorrow, but with no time to grieve.#microfiction#scifi
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