Nilima Has A Lot To Learn (Pt 5)

Yule gave Joel an apologetic look as they headed inside the cafeteria. “What do you mean?” She asked in confusion.

“The higher level metas ruling over everyone, lower levels in the lower levels, the baselines…” Nilima trailed off. Baselines were treated like people here.

“Uhm, Delilah is the leader here. She funded everything and expects everyone to treat each other as equals.” Yule explained. “She wants…uh…baselines, as you call them, to be able to live on equal terms with metas. She wants metas to be treated as humans.”

And it was obvious that was working here.

“Delilah really is a baseline?” The rumors of the Underground being led by a baseline woman had always sounded too ridiculous, like satire about how weak and doomed the underground was. Nilima had only been around a few baselines in Amihan, she did not think they deserved to be treated as badly as they were.

“Yes,” Yule explained. “Though, if anyone says baselines are weak they are very wrong. She can be scary when pissed off. There’s this huge guy named Nero that isn’t bad…he’s just, you know, a kid in a giant’s body…anyway, he has angered her a few times and she’s not scared to pull out her bazooka. Well, Mark calls it her boob-zooka.” She couldn’t help but giggle.

In fact, Nero was at a table trying to use a spoon properly and getting frustrated with it. “Not like spoon.” He grumbled.

“Oh, that’s him…” Yule pointed to him and waved.

Nero sheepishly waved back, seeming like a gentle giant.

“Of course baselines need their guns…” Nilima shrugged. “But we’re like… natural enemies. I have nothing against baselines but we’re going to eventually take over and there won’t be any baselines left.”

“Humans will always exist,” Yule said and got in line, asking about the special.

Nero glanced around and quickly used his hands to eat his food.

“We are humans.” Nilima said. Clearly she had a lot of brainwashing to get over.

“Everyone is human,” Yule said. “Even me. Anything you want to try?”

Nero picked up his bowl and got in line. Right behind Nilima.

“But baselines aren’t-” Nilima looked at the food, a lot of it she had seen before but never tasted.

Yule stared up at Nero. “Space,” She reminded him, hating how he seemed to loom over the poor girl. “Try whatever you like, Nilima.”

He took a step back, staring at Nilima. “Pretty…” He sniffled.

Nilima reminded herself that nobody had to mate with anyone they did not want to here… But this giant was intimidating.

“He won’t hurt you.” Yule reminded Nilima. “Right, Nero?”

Nero nodded and blew his hair out of his face. It was getting long again and he needed to visit the barber here.

Nilima nodded, but took a step away from the giant.