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a civilized society that made increased use of the natural mineral resources. They had only just begun their industrial revolution when the Colossus Empire invaded and took control. Their primitive weapons were no match for the pulsers carried by the Colossuns.
    After three days of learning the history of the Grell, I turned the focus of my questions towards our escape. Duane let out a sigh of relief.
    I spoke. "How does the ore make its way to the surface? I would assume the Colossuns take it off planet."
    Feldew replied, "It is highly refined at Embry Central and each of the other hub cities before being taken to the surface. Grell are not allowed to see where it goes beyond the immense elevator in Embry Central."
    I nodded as I thought and then spoke. "So, they take it to the surface. Duane, I wonder why we didn't see any semblance of a spaceport when we came in. Everything appeared to be a normal uninhabited planet."
    Duane replied, "They must have a port up there, Mr. Grange. Maybe it's constructed of the same material as these tunnels. Our sensors didn't see those either."
    Feldew spoke. "The tunnel walls are fabricated from Gunta ore with a mixture of a metal that only the Colossuns know the secret of. Our people have speculated that the hybrid material, which is very thin for such a large structure, absorbs the normal signals that our mineral planet would emit. It then reemits those signals as its own. It doesn't seem to follow the laws of physics as we know them. What you saw on your sensors was likely a reflection of the surrounding material."
    I replied, "Just about every new sentient species we have come across has some trick up their sleeve that we didn't think was possible. If I showed you our home station—we call it the Grid—you would be in disbelief. Heck, there is technology that we have had for a thousand years that we don't understand ourselves."
    Feldew spoke. "Word is that the Colossun weapons are slow to recharge, but they are deadly when fired. Our primitive weapons cannot break through the armor that they wear. I have dared to daydream about how that armor might be overcome, but I have no means of testing such. If I had spoken of those dreams to others, it would have led to my immediate execution."
    I shook my head as I replied, "You sure know an awful lot about the Colossuns and their technology for a people that have been enslaved for centuries. OK, that didn’t come out right. I meant, for a people who have had no access to their technology."
    Feldew replied, "The Colossuns have attempted many times to educate our species. They believe that an educated species will be a more productive species, but only as long as that education is only allowed in the proper areas. Each Grell is taken from their family when they are five years old. For another five years, they are pushed through an extensive regimen of schooling. At the end, each is tested for intelligence."
    I replied, "You don't seem like a dumb species, Feldew. What happens with the ones who are considered gifted?"
    Feldew continued, "We are trained, before we are taken, to learn as much as we can. We must then fail badly on the final testing. Only a few are allowed to show promise. Those few inevitably fail at whatever tasks they are given. The education they offer is quite good, but we do not wish to contribute to their empire. So, for centuries we have remained an unteachable species."
    I replied, "Sounds to me like you Grell are not so honest after all. I mean, sure, you aren't outright lying to them, but you aren't telling the truth either. But don't worry about Humans; we have our own problems, so we certainly wouldn't judge you given the circumstances."
    Feldew responded, "You mentioned Humans; that is the name of your species?"
    I replied, "Yes. I can't believe we have been talking for three days and that is the first time I have said ‘Human.’"
    Duane stepped in with a reply. "Maybe that's because you have been grilling poor