[That kind of respect is a little hard on young Armand's ego, but he'll live, Professor Lyall.]

I should just look into the rooms? That sounds rude. [But it may be the way to find out.]

This is very old city, a remnant of a war with machines I couldn't possibly understand. There are people who live in the dome who cannot live out here, and don't like anyone out here very much. That great metal fortress is a ship, and most of us who weren't born here come from it. [He's reciting it like a lesson: the facts he's learned so far.]

I don't understand how that is, but since I am here, perhaps I shouldn't break my head trying to understand things that are above me.

Oh, I forgot. There are monsters in the wilderness.