Finally in a loving embrace with Nintendo.

Nintendo's Wii U

I did it. I finally broke down and bought a Nintendo console again. It has been years since I owned the Gamecube. Even then I traded it in for the original Xbox. Nintendo's handhelds came and went. I'd buy it just to play the newest Pokemon then sell it right after. Not until recently had I ever wanted a Wii (or Wii U).

The moment I decided I needed to have the Wii U as my second console (over the Xbox One) was when I saw The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD in action. My mind melted a little as one of my favorite games from yesteryear was essentially reborn. Usually an HD port of an older game looks mildly better at best. But this, this was gorgeous.

See? I told you it was gorgeous. Can you believe this is over a decade old?

I began to feverishly look for ways to buy the console and game. Did I have the spare $350 for the limited edition bundle? No. Did I own anything I was willing to trade in? Nope. There I sat, defeated. Unable to obtain a console that I hadn't given more than a thought to previously. As you know, I own a PS4 (and I love it) but that wasn't enough. Sometimes it feels too competitive with online multiplayer and trophies. I needed something that I could play in my bedroom before bed to relax.

It was a week or so ago that my wife and I got out safety deposit refund from our old apartments. It was just enough to get a Wii U, Zelda and a few other things. The only thing was, I needed to convince my wife that we needed this simple console on our home. Surprisingly (very!) she agreed rather easily. As a matter of fact, she was interested in playing it herself. No sooner had she agreed were in the car heading to Best Buy.

I hadn't been that excited to buy a console in years. Hell, not since the Gamecube! During that brief stint in the car I began to realize how many games I could finally play. I had missed three (!) Zelda games since I skipped the original Wii. I now was going to play an entire generations worth of games. That realization only made my foot heavier on the gas peddle.

Sssooo excited!

Skip ahead an hour and there I was; packing material all over our bedroom, the cheery music of the Wii U's update screen playing. I was so excited. It has been a little over a week and I am extremely happy with my purchase. A lot of fun games are on the horizon with a huge backlog to play through as well. If you'd asked me a year ago, I would have said I would never own another Nintendo console. Man, am I happy that I was wrong. No, if you'll excuse me, I have another temple to best!

Special preview of Unbound: The Awakening (part 3)

Hey everyone, 

This is it. The final part of the Unbound: The Awakening preview. I apologize that it is a little late. I was on my honeymoon and wasn't able to get to a computer (doesn't work to well from a phone). 

As with the previous two posts, what I am sharing has not been edited yet. Grammatical errors, typos and other formatting errors may be found in the preview. the content is subject to change prior to the release of the final version. Feel free to read, comment and share the post. However, no part of this document may be copied, altered or reproduced in whole or in part, digitally or in print, without my written permission. 

Finally, as a thank you for sticking with me, I am giving away the first issue for the comic version of Unbound: The Awakening for free. Find the link to the issue at the end of the post. 

Enjoy!

- Kyle

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Chapter Three

<10… 9… 8…7…> said the computer methodically.

Liam watched the pressure gauges. Soon the drill will touch down and begin its descent. People had begun form a crowd to watch the event. They were all huddled behind the debris shields. Some employees brought their children to partake in the launch. Gaia Corp held these so called family events whenever they were going to break a record. It was used as a way to gain favor and support, a practice that only worked on the children.

<6…5…4...> The robotic voice continued.

The drill was hovering mere inches away from the ground, only being held up by the security restraints and guiding cables. The sheer power of the drill caused dust and debris to kick up. They moved at such speeds that if it were to hit someone; there was a good chance they wouldn’t survive. The spectators from behind the barrier didn’t realize how close to danger they really were.  

< 3… 2…1…>

The vibrations were getting stronger as the drill's engines spun into their rhythm. Anything that wasn't secured down was heading towards the floor. The vibrations weren't just felt inside the cockpit. The people who gathered to watch the launch were grabbing their belongings to make sure they weren't lost. Tool in nearby docks were falling from shelves, adding to the noise. Inside the drill Liam couldn't hear the deafening noise outside. The cheers of onlookers, clanging of tools and the whine of the drill formed a sort of chorus of sorts.

<Launch> Announced the computer through the cockpits speakers, and aloud outside.

I got this

Liam felt as the clamps holding the drill lowered the whole rig down. Without warning there was a screeching, grinding noise as the drill head touched the ground. Huge chunks of the earth were thrown in all directions. The dust alone concealed the drill from onlookers. They could only see the green glow from the backing lights. A moment later and the ventilation system activated and started to clear the room. The children watching cheered as the adults observed silently. They knew what this voyage meant. They knew what could happen if it failed.

The drill was almost half way into the earth when the violent shaking calmed. That happened because the ground now had a firm grip on the massive machine which helped stabilize it. Liam knew this ride all too well. Since becoming a miner, Liam had done dozens, if not hundreds of these expeditions. He was used to the feel of the pilot’s seat, the hum of the warmed engines. After his first few trips, he even enjoyed the shaking and bouncing as the earth was moved. This one though, this one was special. Not just to Gaia and the people of Olympia. It also meant to more to Liam than just going farther than any human prior to him. This mission was his first back since losing his son. Since that day he was first put on a prolonged bereavement leave. It was then that he found his love of whiskey. He fell almost as deep into the bottle as he was going today. It took him, and Avery, months to pull him to some form of sobriety. He now only drank to sleep, not to exist. It was progress.

“Just twenty five more miles to go” sighed Liam. “Yup, this is going to be fun.”

***

Avery sat back in her chair. The launch had gone off without any errors. That was a rarity, usually something would happen – the drill wouldn’t start, there was a leak or a fire, a clamp failed. Countdowns had been delayed hours, with the pilots being stuck in the drill just as long. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, something Avery was very thankful for. Liam didn’t know it yet, but he was heading towards something big. Something Avery knew would change his life, and hers, forever.

There wasn’t much for her to do now but monitor the drill and its heading. Normally she would set everything to auto and head to the mess hall to get something to eat. She would be notified if something were to happen. She was light on her feet and it only took her thirty seconds to be back in her chair. This time, this mission, those thirty seconds would be long.

***

Five hours had passed since launch and Liam was really starting to get tired. He may have slept, but he didn’t sleep well. His eyes were feeling heavy and he was struggling to stay awake.

<We are nearing the ten mile mark.>

“Awesome.” Said Liam, wearily. “Ave, you there?”

“I’m here. What’s up?”

“I am approaching the ten mile mark. I am going to set the drill on autopilot and catch a nap.”

“You are approved for max of two hours of A.P. use. You hit your final depth mark in just over six hours.” Avery replied.

“Sounds good. I’ll check in when I wake up. Call me if you need anything.” Liam said as he reached to activate the autopilot switch.

<Autopilot engaged. Two hours remaining.> The computer stated.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.”

Liam reached into his coat and pulled out a small silver flask. He unscrewed the cap and swallowed the fiery liquid held inside, some running down into his beard. Wiping away the spill, Liam kicked his feet onto an open section of the controls and leaned back. He took another mouthful and then turned the flask over. Taped to the back was a worn and faded picture of Liam and his family. The edges were bent from the repeated taking out of, and putting back into, his pocket. Liam stared for a long minute at the smiling family, his family. After taking the last swig, and starting to feel warm, he put the container on his chest. Not a minute had passed and he out.   

The dream was so vivid, so real. Liam could feel the tears on his cheeks, the hand on his shoulder. He was back in the hospital. His son lay in bed, hooked up to machines, looking frail. Most of the room blurred and faded out. Heaviness hung in the air, weighing on him; making it hard to breath. The doctor said the same thing over and over again.

“I’m sorry, Liam.”

“Not again…” he finally replied, his voice but a whisper. In that moment, it was quiet. The room was still. Liam could only hear himself breathing and the steady pounding of his heart.

Suddenly everything started to violently move and shake. Liam jumped from his chair to protect his son. Before he could reach him a high pitched screech pierced the air. The bed was shaking so violently that it fell on its side and knocked Liam to the floor. Scrambling to help his boy, he lifted the overturned bed and moved the blankets. His son was gone. There was nothing there but sheets, blankets and a pillow. Liam turned and the doctor had also vanished. He hadn’t seen him leave, or heard him go. It then hit him; he hadn’t felt the man’s hand on him once the shaking started.

What is happening?

The ear piercing nose was now becoming a constant, pulsing sound; it was rhythmic. Liam raced to the door; he needed to find someone, anyone, to help him. The walls around him were starting to crack. Plaster and paint chips were flying, dust was clouding the room. Liam covered his face with his shirt and pushed forward. The moment his hand came in contact with the door handle, everything again fell silent. The only thing to be heard was a distant alarm. It sounded as though it was getting closer. Every few repetitions it grew louder. The handle wouldn’t turn. Liam used all his strength to try and made the door give. Liam couldn’t get any traction or leverage. The fine powder produced from the crumbling room caused he boots to slide back. It was also extremely hard to focus with that sound pulsing in his ears. He would collect his thoughts and then be assaulted again; shattering his concentration. Suddenly, all at once the room started to vibrate again. It wasn’t as rough as before, but it was growing in strength and power.

BOOM

Liam was torn from his dream. Flashing lights burned his eyes. The dream was still fresh on his mind, but not in the forefront. He sat up, realizing the alarm and shaking wasn’t solely in his head. His display was flashing, in huge red letters, “Warning, Unstable Terrain”. All the emergency lights were pulsing, adding to the red hue of the room.

“Avery!” Liam yelled. “Do you copy? Something has happened. Mayday, mayday.”

The only replies to his calls were static. He tried again and again, but still he only received the familiar hissing noise. How far down was he, how much time had passed since he fell asleep?  These questions were rising in his mind along with a million others. Then the computer spoke up and Liam froze.

<Emergency drill shutdown activated.>

“Just my luck. What more could go wrong?” Liam said as he dropped back into his chair.

The sigh of the engines winding down was coupled with the violent shaking finally subsiding. Once the whir of engines was gone, the cockpit was hauntingly silent. The only thing Liam could hear was the sound of his own breath and the blood pumping to his ears. The drill may have calmed, but he hadn’t; adrenaline still flowing. Liam dismissed the warning on the display and started taking a damage report. The drill head had split apart and there gaping holes where the outer plating was sheared off. Whatever it had hit was a hard as diamond. Fuel lines had come loose in the shaking. The cockpit was a mess. It was only built to withstand normal wear and movement. This was something else, like a massive earthquake.

<Emergency shutdown complete.>

Sitting back in his chair, Liam found his flask was wedged in the crease along the back. It must have fallen when he was sleeping. He needed something to calm his nerves, help him think. He unscrewed the cap and drained the last bit of liquid found inside. He focused on the warmth as it traveled down. His heartbeat finally started to slow down. Breathing deep, he tried the coms again. He wasn’t surprised when he was met again with static. That is when Liam noticed that some of the debris was sliding to the opposite wall. It was subtle at first, but now it was noticeable. The whole machine was shifting. He could hear the metal outside creak, quietly at first. There was a low rumble and then the drill moved. Whatever earth that was holding up the machine finally gave in to enormous weight. Liam felt his stomach in his throat the drill slipped downward. Something was scraping along the plating outside. They came to rest a few seconds later but the calm didn’t last.

There was a huge cracking sound as the rock around the drill shifted again. This time, Liam was in a free fall. He was torn from his chair and hit the ceiling of the room. There was a whistling noise and Liam realized there was a hole in the side of the entryway. He could barely make out a blue-green glow shining through the tear. It felt as if he was falling for years. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but the drill should have hit something by now. His thought couldn’t have worse timing as the drill clipped the side of something and began to tumble. Liam now found himself being thrown against every wall. A piece of metal that had broken free during the initial accident flew up and caught him in the face. It felt like it was liquid fire as it tore through the skin across his nose and cheek. He didn’t have time to feel how bad it was before hitting the backside of his chair. The wind was ripped from his lungs and they instantly burned. The lack of air mixed with the loss of blood and searing pain caused Liam to slip into unconsciousness.

When Liam finally woke up, the drill had come to rest on its side. He was buried under wires, scattered paper and various broken items. He was lying on the back wall, his chair was dangling by only a few screws above his head. Slowly, Liam tested he body. His fingers and toes moved, he didn’t feel as though anything was broken. It just felt like he fell from the edge of a canyon and hit the ground full force. Fully opening his eyes, they were drawn to the light that was still shining through the now larger hole in the door. Coaxing his body to move wasn’t easy, but he couldn’t just lay there. Finally standing, he felt something warm dripping off his chin. He touched his face and his hand came back an awkward hue of muddy red due to the light. Liam had seen blood before, just not his own, not like this. The sight made him woozier than he already was. He took a shaky step forward and tripped over his own feet. Hitting the door with his entire weight caused the already compromised hinges to give.

Liam was again falling, bouncing off the rubble under the drill. He landed, miraculously on his hands and knees. Opening his eyes, he first saw the drops of blood on the ground – which slowly came into focus. This wasn’t some dark, now ruined, cave. The floor beneath him was glowing a cool blue-green. It reminded him of an opal he once found on a mission years ago. Except this wasn't some stone you put in jewelry. The entire floor shimmered with this look. Rocking back onto his knees, Liam took in the world around him.

“Oh my god…” Liam said, his voice echoing.

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Click here to download your free copy of Unbound: The Awakening! Let me know what you think.

Special preview of Unbound: The Awakening (part 2)

Liam

As promised from last week, here is second part of my special Unbound: The Awakening novel preview. As before, Please note, what I am sharing has not been edited yet. Grammatical errors, typos and other formatting errors may be found in the preview. the content is subject to change prior to the release of the final version. Feel free to read, comment and share the post. However, no part of this document may be copied, altered or reproduced in whole or in part, digitally or in print, without my written permission. 

Enjoy!

- Kyle

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Chapter Two

Liam arrived at the main doors to the hanger and slowed his pace. His heart was pounding so loud in his ears that he was sure it would echo in the next room. His nerves were on end. Knowing what would start through these doors excited and terrified him. His mission was to drill deeper than any human had before. He was to go twenty five miles down, almost to the molten layer, in search of new ore deposits.

The chances of return were slim Liam knew, but he also knew Gaia wouldn’t want to lose their drill either. They may be used, rusted and worn, but the machines were still worth more than almost a city block. Strangely enough, that provided Liam with some comfort. Even if he were to die, at least his body would come home. After another deep breath, Liam walked into the launch bay.

This room was massive, easily ten stories high. Along the back wall we could see the enormous deep earth drills being prepped, repaired and fueled. Each drill itself was six stories from top to bottom, secured to their bay by huge hydraulic clamps. They were close to thirty five feet around, enough to produce a maintainable service hall in their wake. Sparks fell like rain in the repair docks as mechanics welded old metal plates back onto the sides of the drills.

Yeah, I got this.

People in all sorts of uniforms were working. There were foremen with their orange holographic clipboards walking around and checking on workers. They could be seen easily due to their amber glow. Every time Liam set out for a new mission, he was always awe struck by how huge this area was. To get to the back end of the bay took almost twenty five minutes using one of the commuter trams. Liam checked his gauntlet for the dock he would be launching from. He pulled up the mission guide which projected into the air from the device on his arm. Scanning through the extensive document, he finally found what he was looking for.

Dock 36

Quickly closing the file, Liam got his bearings. Dock 36 was almost halfway down the building. He had to pass the refueling stations and maintenance areas first. He also had to be mindful of where he was walking. A lot of people have been injured in these areas. A few months back someone spilled fuel which quickly ignited by some sparks from the neighboring dock. It took the fire teams almost three hours to subdue the blaze. In the end, one drill was unsalvageable and four workers lost their lives, of which one was a friend of his. Those responsible probably wished they had died as well seeing as Gaia didn’t take kindly to the loss of its property.  Liam shook off the memory and headed to his dock to check in.

As Liam found his area, he heard footsteps quickly approaching. Before they called his designation, he knew it was a foreman. The orange glow cast an odd shadow of Liam on the lift doors. This elevator would be taking him to the cockpit of the drill – almost five and a half stories up.

“M948!” The foreman called, trying to yell over the sounds of the room. “I have a few things to cover prior to launch.”

Liam turned and saw the foreman who was approaching was one of the few who cared about his workers. Harold, or F227, was Liam’s first foreman when he joined Gaia so long ago. He was in his late sixties and looked as though his body would give out at any moment. Liam knew better though, he had survived more than almost any other Gaia employee to date. There were stories that Harold even survived the collapse of a mine with only his torch and his lunch box. He didn’t know how true the story was, but Liam respected the man never-the-less.

“First, I need you to sign this waiver stating you willingly agreed to this dig, knowing the risks.” Harold said, handing Liam a stylus. Liam signed on the line labeled “D.E.M”.

“Okay.”

“You know there is a chance you may not come back, right?” Harold said. The words resounded in Liam’s head. He has been thinking it all morning, but it hit harder hearing it said aloud by someone else.

“Yeah, I know.” Liam replied.

“In the event you do not return, who do you want to claim your belongings and final check?”

“Ave… Uh, C575”

Harold noted the selection and then sighed. He had to go through this with every worker, but this one was harder. He liked Liam a lot. Over the years, they had grown to be friends and respect each other. When Liam lost his son, he had attended the memorial. Knowing there was a real possibility that Liam may not return, made this all the more difficult.

“You don’t have to do this. We can still sign you off as unfit for the dig.” Harold said.

“It’s ok, I know. But I am here now and I was the only one to sign up for it. We need this.” Liam replied.

“Alright, well, good luck M948 – Liam.” Harold said while blinking through tears. “You were a good man.”

“Harold, I am not dead yet”

“I know, alright, well carry on then. And again, good luck.”

Harold lowered his clipboard and turned. He would monitor the dig from mission control and pray for Liam’s safe return. Liam turned and typed his I.D. into the lift’s keypad to log in. With a hiss, the doors opened and he stepped in.

Yeah, luck…

“…Cause that’s always helped me before” Liam said, finishing his though. The doors closed and so began the ascent to the cockpit.

***

Avery arrived at her station and booted up her systems instinctively. She was thinking of everything that could go wrong with the mission – a tunnel collapse or the safety line could snap.  A million variations played out in her head. So much was at stake today. If anything went awry, all could be lost. This mission, this day, Liam – they were all connected in more ways than just what Gaia Corp had planned.

Avery looked around and counted the guards in the room. There were a total of five currently at their posts, with one extra having just left to walk his rounds. Mission control was one of the safest places in the facility. It had to be, if something were to happen here, a lot of lives would be in jeopardy. Avery returned her focus to her console. The screen that projected in front of her displayed the systems for the drill Liam would be piloting. From here she could override any of the functions if there were an emergency. Taking one last look over her shoulder to see if any guards were looking, which they weren’t, Avery pulled up the course navigation screen. She adjusted the angle of the descent by mark two degrees and tapped apply. The screen then displayed a progress bar as the new course was transmitted to the drill.

<Transfer complete, course updated> confirmed the computer, its voice quiet among the noise of the room.

Switching screens as not to arouse suspicion, Avery decided to check on Liam’s status. A profile of the elevator, catwalk and drill glowed on her display, casting a light green glow on Avery. Liam was just about to finish the ascent to the cockpit. Avery took a deep breath and settled in for a long mission.

***

Liam felt as the lift slowed its movement, reaching the walkway to the drill. There was a low click and hiss as the doors slid open. The next section was almost completely open air. The guardrails on the side would not stop anyone, let alone a full grown man, from toppling over. Liam was glad they were inside, he wasn’t afraid of heights, but add wind and he may reconsider that. As with the lift, he punched his designation code into the door to the cockpit. The keypad this time also scanned his fingerprints. Once completed, the door made a quiet pinging and grinding noise. The door slowly opened, stale air rushed out from inside. The cockpit was dark, a few status lights blinked slowly. That changed when Liam took stepped inside.  

<Welcome M948, system engaging.> The computer said. To Liam, it was always a greeting of sorts.

“Stat check.” Liam replied as he made his way over to the pilots’ chair. The overhead light slowly flickered to life, giving everything a soft glow.

<Engine, online. Communications, online. Environmental, online.>

By now, all of the dashboard lights were glowing. Liam, sitting in the sole chair, was powering on the main display. All of the systems were labeled as ready.

<All systems go.> the computer confirmed, just as Liam finished reading over the list.

Liam adjusted his seat and started the prelaunch check. He made sure all the basics were nearby – first aid kit, fire extinguisher, reset codes and the troubleshooting manual. All were in there normal place and things were looking good.

“Avery, you on?” Liam said.

“Yup, everything checks out up here.” She replied. “Unless, you need me to bring you your security blanket.”

“No thanks, I’m good.” Liam said, slightly chuckling. “Let’s just get this fired up.”

While there was no immediate reply from Avery, Liam knew she was working. He could hear her breathing into her headset. He would have to remind her that she didn’t need to eat it for him to hear her. Another minute passed and still no word from Avery, he was starting to wonder what the holdup was.  

<Engine startup authorized> The computer announced to him.

“Sorry, I was confirming your course. You’re all set now.” Avery said.

“So I am told. Thank you.”

Liam checked his harness to make sure he was securely locked in. He then reached over towards the ignition button. On previous missions, this was usually his favorite part, not this time. He didn’t have a choice though, he was here and it was time. Without giving himself another moment to think, he pushed the button. The backing light of the ignition button went from a deep pulsing red color to a bright green, then to white. He could feel the massive engines roaring to life. The whole machine shuttered as the drill head, formed from smaller individual moving drills, started to spin. At full power, huge green flood lights would activate. These specialty lights were used to illuminate potential deposit sites. Since they were located behind the drill head, it made the whole module look as if it were glowing green.

“Ave, if I don’t come back …”

“Shut it Liam. You are not dying on my watch.” Replied Avery, cutting Liam off.

“But, if I don’t…”

“I said shut it.”

“… Fine.” Liam replied, knowing he wouldn’t win. “Thank you.”

<Launch initiated. Engines at full power. Beginning countdown.> Announced the computer.

“Here we go.” Said Liam.

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Next week, the final part of the preview!

Special preview of my novel: Unbound: The Awakening (part 1)

Hey everyone!

As some of you know, I write comics and am working on a novel. Recently, I took a break from working on the novel to finish the script I was working on, move to a new home and start up this blog. Well, after a month or so, I dove back in. 

After some thought, I decided I wanted to share the first few chapters of the novel. Please note, what I am sharing has not been edited yet. Grammatical errors, typos and other formatting errors may be found in the preview. the content is subject to change prior to the release of the final version. 

Over the next few weeks I will post the prologue to chapter three. Feel free to read, comment and share the post.However, no part of this document may be copied, altered or reproduced in whole or in part, digitally or in print, without my written permission. 

Thank you and I hope you enjoy!

-Kyle

PS: Stay tuned until the final post for something awesome.

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Unbound: The Awakening

By: Kyle Stephens

“A hero shall rise from the ashes of despair.”

 

Prologue

The year is 2554 and science fiction was wrong, humanity cannot venture far beyond our world and its atmosphere. The stars are, and always will be, a distant thought. Resources are limited. Humanity is forced to dig deeper and deeper into our own ruined planet to find what we need to survive.

One company leads the charge towards Earth's center – the Gaia Corporation. They are the leading corporate entity on this rock we call home. Long after the governments fell, Gaia stayed strong. They have a hand in all walks of life. Even the local police, if you want to call them that, are staffed and managed by Gaia corp. Their home office resides in Olympia City. A sprawling utopia that sits on the very spot where the once fable Mount Olympus stood – where the gods watched over man. That mountain, like many others, has been mined until it collapsed in on itself.  Every year more of the Earth's landscape is reduced to nothing more than holes in the ground, barely a trace of used to be. Only the poorest or most desperate become deep earth miners.

The residents of Olympia city are split. The famous, wealthy and privileged live in the upper tier of the city. Their way of life is protected by the great wall. The wall separates glamour from the slums below – where most of the population resides. Disease, famine and crime are considered normal. Life there is tough, but their will to survive is ironclad.

***

“Please tell me he'll be ok” said Liam, head in his hands.

“I'm sorry, but there is nothing more we can do.” the doctor replied.

“There has to be something, anything. Some drug, surgery or-or procedure we can look into.” Liam said as he looked back at the doctor. He appeared as though he hasn't slept in days. His dark blue-black hair and goatee are disheveled, bags hung under his eyes.

“Your medical allotment has run out. Gaia has denied any further treatment. Your son’s lungs have not shown any signs of recovery. I am sorry to say, but you should start making arrangements.”

The doctor places his hand on Liam's shoulder which hung defeated. The gesture which was meant to comfort and sooth, made Liam feel even more alone. It had been barely a year since he lost his wife to pneumonia. Gaia Corp employees were only given a certain amount of time they could use to visit hospitals or doctors. More serious issues cost more time, which equaled less treatment. Sometimes families had to choose between their own children.

Minutes turned to hours as Liam sat with his son. It was just before dawn when the beeping of the monitor became one unending sound. No one came to try and resuscitate the boy; the sound was just remotely silenced from the nearby nurses’ station.

It was then that Liam finally wept.

 

Part One: Descent

    Chapter One

Six months later

“Liam,” Avery yelled from the kitchen. “Get up.”

“Avery, shut it” Liam replied, barely awake.

Liam lay among bottles of various alcohols. His mind still swimming from the previous night’s binge. He needed to calm his nerves before today's expedition.

“Come on, get up.” Avery yelled back, “We're already runnin' late.”

The young girl, barely eighteen, was already up and dressed. Her long red hair pulled back and braided. Atop her head were her not-so-standard issue purple goggles. Avery was in the kitchen, food sizzling in the pan.  She had been up for a while already. She was nervous for today mission; but unlike Liam she wasn't old enough to force herself to sleep with alcohol.

Liam's stomach grumbled from a mix of hunger and nausea. Whiskey always made Liam feel like a king at night, but left him in the garbage by morning. He sat up trying to quell the rage inside him and the explosions in his head.

“U-ugh. When did I go to bed?” Liam grumbled, rubbing his temples.

“When you passed out and I put you there.”

“Thanks...” Liam replied. He sat on his bed for a few long minutes. His eyes wandered to the handmade stuffed bear on the floor. It normally stayed on his bed, close to his pillow. That was where his son kept it on his bed when he would sleep. Liam reached down and put it back in its spot. The movement made his head spin, but he had to get ready.

Liam stood up and got dressed. He grabbed his normal work attire and made sure his mining gauntlet was calibrated. Liam's employer, The Gaia Corporation, issued one to every deep earth miner. It allowed them to sync with their communications array, tools and drills. If something were to ever go missing, they knew where to start their search.

As Liam strode into the kitchen he threw on his favorite jacket. By now the long brown coat was well worn. His job ripped and tore at the coat but he still he kept it. It was one of the last things his wife gave him before she died. He also grabbed his eye protection and hung them around his neck. He didn't use them much, piloting the machines and all, but he was required to have them.

Liam grabbed a plate of food and sat with Avery. Silence was all they needed. In the years they have known each other; they have learned they didn't always need to talk. Avery, like Liam, lost her family. Now the two were all they had left. Their age difference - Liam in his early thirties - let them to form a special bond. They are more than friends and co-workers they were now family. To Liam, Avery was now like his little sister.

“You ready?” Avery finally said after finishing her food.

“I dunno." Liam replied. "Today could be my last”

“You'll be fine. You got me watching over ya.”

“Like I said, today could be my last.” Liam said, a small grin forming on his face.

They quickly cleaned up and headed to the door. Liam's nerves were now taking the place of the hangover. His stomach started to twist as they left. What was coming could change everything for him, for everyone, or it could be the last time he saw the light of day.

Their house was not too far from the mine owned by Gaia Corp. Everything in this part of town was covered in a fine later of rock dust. But the closer they were to work, the faster they could get back and forth. That means more hours and in turn more money. Not that Gaia Corp. paid their employees well.

***

They arrived at the main gate of mining complex and were greeted with the long line waiting to scan in.

"Crap." Liam muttered, knowing it was his fault for being late.

The building was the largest in the lower city. Nearby housing complexes were dwarfed in comparison. Smoke billowed from stacks that added to the building's height. Soot and dust always fell from the sky like snow; it never managed to reach past the wall though. Almost nothing from down here made it inside of the border. Every entrance elevator scaling the sixty story wall was guarded. People have tried to sneak in, they usually found themselves in a detention cell or worse. Repeated attempts came with more sever consequences.  

As the two neared the entrance, the familiar glow of the body scanners lit the main hall. Signs adorned the walls on either side of them. Nearly every inch of the passage had something to say. Everything from warning signs to company propaganda could be seen. The most common of which was the company logo; an inverted triangle with a hand holding the Earth. It could also be seen on every employee uniform and piece of machinery.

Liam lifted his goggles; also company issued, and prepared to be scanned in for work. He could hear the computer registering the people in front of him. Each employee was given an alphanumeric code at birth. That dictated what you did and where you went from there on out. Each scan only took a moment. The works in front of him stepped in, were bathed in light and went on their way.

A minute later and it was Liam's turn. The scanner beeped and recorded his arrival. M948, check in complete. Liam was barely out of the scanner when Avery stepped in. C575, check in complete.

"So, are you ready for this?" Avery said as she put her own goggles back atop her head. This time, even under the sarcasm, Liam knew she was serious.

"Honestly, I dunno. We've never drilled this far." Liam replied. “There are a lot of variables to account for.”

"Yeah, but with you piloting and me watching from here, you'll be back in no time."

Liam just half smiled at Avery. He wished he had her confidence. She had no idea how he felt, she wasn't the one who might not come back. Avery was a communications specialist. That meant she stayed seated in mission control, watching safely from above.

It was a long fifteen minute walk to mission control. Nearing the entrance, Avery stopped for a few moments as though she was going to say something to try and bolster his spirits.  Instead she put on a forced smile.

"I'll be watching."  Avery said, turning towards the door.

"I know." Replied Liam, "Thanks."

Avery then turned and left. The hall seemed a lot emptied without her there. A few moments passed as Liam collected his thoughts.

I got this.

Finally he spun on his heel and made towards the launch hanger. 

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Check back next week for Chapter 2!