All of colony used to be underground. At one time, due to numerous wars, many 'escaped', only to find that the freedom they searched for was not as the story books told. Topside is nearly a wasteland. It is a colony dumping ground. Whatever colony does not want, is thrown, or 'tossed', topside. People born topside are considered free. All free men or women can leave the island. Once a slave finds his or herself topside, there is no colony law, no colony protection, therefore, no aid whatsoever. Most would rather be terminated than to find themselves topside. It is usually where the most dangerous and uncontrollable people end up.