SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

“Remember your manners, and do as you are
told. Failure to comply will result in you being
returned to the undercity.”
The doors to the Ministry opened and a few
dozen scholars leisurely walked out. The
worried-looking man had entered the newly
arrived crowd, but Bea could still see his balding
head shining like a beacon in the afternoon sun.
A Minister, a woman dressed in an ochre and ruby
suit, stepped forward from the crowd. Her brown
hair was pulled up and away from her face, plaited
tightly in an intricate pattern that wrapped around
her head. She was writing on a clipboard when
she finally addressed the courtyard.
“Scholars, you know why we are here.
Underfolk, I shall explain this as simply as I
can. You lucky few were chosen amongst the
hundreds of names submitted. As I am sure you
are aware, our thrust engines have gone cold.
Our gravity boosters are still operational, thank
the Old Ones, but until the thrust engines can
be powered up we are, in a word, stranded.”
Everyone in the city knew of their current
predicament. The thrust engines died
abruptly a few weeks ago. The chaos from the
sudden stop had caused a support beam in
the undercity to collapse, causing an entire
neighborhood to be buried in the rubble. Bea
had been lucky the accident had happened
during the early morning before she had left
to scavenge the garbage pits. Her regular
route took her through the heart of that sector.
“This is not unprecedented, as other cities have
reported their thrust engines dying, which is
why the city changed course. Currently, we
are hovering over a ruined city of the Old Ones.
Which is where you come into play.”
The Minister looked up, gazing at the group of
scavengers with disdain.
86
“You will each be partnered with a scholar.
They shall teach you how to use our most
advanced technology for salvage operations.
I won’t mince words here, you people earned
the name Scavs for a reason. We need to
scavenge for materials to repair the engines.
Succeed, and I shall ensure that you are
rewarded handsomely.”
The Minister’s tone changed in a way that froze Bea
in place, fear condensing in the pit of her stomach.
“Disappoint me, and you shall be sent to the lowest
levels of the undercity, never to be seen again.”
A soft murmur spread down the line of Scavs.
Before they could regret their choice, names
were called. The Minister’s voice barked them
out like orders, each scholar being paired with
their scavenger. One by one their names were
read, moving to stand beside their newfound
partners. They were nearing the end of the
list, both sides thinning until maybe a half
dozen scholars and scavengers were left.
“Roger Weatherby.”
A scrawny man appeared like an apparition
from the crowd. Bea hadn’t noticed him there
before. He dressed in a simple shirt and pants
in dark shades of green and brown, rather
than the many bright-colored layers and
garish accessories the others wore. Like many
of his colleagues, he wore spectacles over
his brown eyes, and he had a mop of black
hair that framed his face which was dusted
with freckles. Overall he looked rather plain,
though not in a particularly bad way.
“Mister Weatherby, you shall be paired with Beatrice.”
The Minister did not look up from her list when
she read Bea’s name, waving a hand at her
to join Roger. Together they were ushered by
the little bald man down the street and to a