Elias Shaw the rubbish sorter doesn't exist anymore.
In fact, there are no more rubbish sorters in Principality. Not since Robotics Expert Elias Shaw renovated the system. Now, advanced robots are able to quickly discern between various rubbish types: from general to recycling to glass and more. Not only are they faster, but they're more accurate. The recycling system in Principality has already improved massively since its days underground.
But that was on the first of many things Elias worked on. Now, he is working on perhaps his greatest invention yet. Yes, he made the kill switch that played a crucial part is fighting back against the Rat Cult. Yes he developed FLITE that was essential for scouting. He even optimised the functions of most robots in Principality, sometimes with, but usually without, the help of the Overgrounders. But now, this is art. This is beauty. It takes Elias Shaw weeks once the hardware has been installed to get the software functioning. After that, it takes even longer to iron out all of the bugs. But soon, the entire world gets to see the creation. Quite possibly the world's first perfect pancake machine.
Yes, other machines make pancakes. But not like this. Elias Shaw spent weeks in the Underground perfectly perfecting this pancake recipe. The robot is able to perform seven flips per second at maximum speed, which can all be spent on one pancake or seven at once (using its seven arms of course). It can flip the pancakes between arms, and even perform tricks such as flips and breakdancing whilst cooking due to its advanced gyroscope system! It becomes a grand spectacle of Principality, bringing all kind of folks together when they just fancy a quick and beautiful pancake.
But Elias saves the code, and makes a more modest version for himself. Nothing fancy, just a cute little machine that can make pancakes when you ask it to. It helps Xoco in the kitchen on date nights. That way, Elias can spend more time looking at the sea when he's having dinner with Mirax.
[GM note: A memorial of recent lives lost would be constructed Overground, rather than Underground, due to the space constraints. However, the memorial could still have Underground themes, including tunnels between sections. So Esther's imagery still works. Enjoy!]
Elias stands in front of Edwin’s grave, his sallow face reflected in the burnished metal plate, only recently chiselled by robotic hands. There’s a long line of these, stretching along the length of the tunnel- Brown, Glamour; Caspian, Sam; Medar, Stanley… Castle, Kurson. Elias turns away. Somewhere in the distance lies Shaw, Carl. Is it right for murderers to sleep, for eternity, next to innocents?
The lights flicker uneasily. There’s no heating where the dead lie, and Elias’ breath hovers wispily, the steam stroking the letters on the plaque.
Morari, Edwin
Engineer/Enforcer
[2099] – [2140]
Died protecting sister, Ada.
The Underground remembers your bravery.
‘Agent Elias Shaw, here to report.’ Elias’ voice echoes harshly through the empty tunnel. He sighs. This is stupid. Why did he come here? What was the point?
‘Edwin, I- well- I’m going to help fix your hand. We’re going to give it to Ada. You know.’
He fumbles, the words not coming, his eyes looking aimlessly round the blank walls lined with death. Finally, his gaze locks onto his own, reflected in Edwin’s grave. Messy hair, pale skin, large, dark, sunken eyes that somehow always look haunted. The corner of a piece of paper sticking out of his pocket.
Elias takes the crumpled page, unfolding it along well-worn crease lines. The scarlet petals of Mirax’ rose drawing leap into focus, a vibrant contrast to the cold, hard grey. Elias turns back to Edwin’s grave, the man staring back at him looking softer, older. Death may have carved the hard edges along his cheekbones, the shadows under his eyes, the lines across his forehead. But, here, in the still, metallic depths of a civilisation encased underground, here, is no place for the living. The ghost of a smile plays across Elias’ lips. Yes. What is he doing here?
‘Thank you, Edwin. For everything. We’ll make the Underground safer. I promise.’
He tucks the drawing away, turns, then walks briskly down the rows of the dead. Perhaps there is a pause in those echoing footsteps next to a certain Carl Shaw’s grave, or perhaps, this time, there is merely a quickening, a crescendo, towards the end of the tunnel, towards the whirr of robotics, towards the warmth of Mirax’ arms, towards the surface, towards light, towards life.
Written by Esther L.
In memory of Shaw, Carl; Computer Scientist.
It feels like the death of my father was the beginning of the end of the Underground, or rather, the Underground as we understood it. Looking at the list of the dead now, I see many names of those who have fallen only in the past few weeks, even in the past few days. Many were fighting for what they believed in, many were protecting those in danger, and many were victims caught in the crossfires.
Carl Shaw wasn’t perfect, I admit. He died because of his efforts to disable the Rat Cult and its allies. I believe he died a hero. I think he saw what was coming and decided to act on it. As a single father, he may have been firm, but he tried his best, and I am forever grateful to him for that. He taught me all I know about robotics and computer programming, and I hope to honour the Underground with this knowledge now.
In life, before his illness, Carl Shaw could have been described as a blade. Sharp, incisive, he had a quick mind and a uniquely dry sense of humour, in those rare occasions when he chose to use it. I think falling ill was what drove him to make a difference- he couldn’t bear the thought of his mind and body slowly degrading, rendering him unable to act. I choose to remember my father through his unerring resolve, the lessons he taught me, his dark jokes, his smile, and yes, even his pancake recipe.
For the records of the Underground, let it be known that Carl Shaw was one of the first to recognise the dangers of the Rat Cult and its allies. Let it be known that Carl Shaw was one of the early victims of said Rat Cult, and the ensuing chaos surrounding his trial contributed to the building tension in the Underground. Let it be known that Carl Shaw was a good father, a good friend, a good colleague, and he was and still is sorely missed.
And finally, let it be known that the deaths of Carl Shaw and others during this turbulent era of the Underground were used to fuel its rejuvenation, the joining of both worlds, Underground and Overground. We remember the shoulders we stand on as we are ushered into this new chapter in our lives.
- Elias Shaw, son of Carl Shaw, 2140
[Attached is a scan of the following pancake recipe. It seems to have been transcribed long ago by a child’s careful handwriting.]
I don’t know, son, I think it involves eggs, flour, and milk in some sort of ratio. Maybe oil. Yeah, and also try adding some sugar.
[Below this is a table with Eggs, Flour, Milk, Oil, and Sugar as the top row, and various ratios crossed out over the years down the rows. Cramped at the bottom, in red ink, with much more mature handwriting, are some circled ratios with the following word – ‘Bingo!’ – in the margin]
Written by Esther L.