"Even the ones not looking for us could be dirty, Z. We don't know who all is involved in this. We can't trust anyone."
"Then how do we stop them?"
I just shake my head as we take a sharp turn in the corridor. The temperature in the corridor is much warmer here and I look around for the markers. Up toward the ceiling I see a glowing number 1. "Zion, where are we going? We can't go down the main lift. We need to decide where we think the research is and take a back tunnel. We have to get there before they dismantle it again."
"I know, B. We're almost to the butterfly junction. I need to show you something."
Derek looks over at me and frowns.
"Zion we're serious here. We don't have time to check multiple sites. We need to decide."
"That's what we're doing, B. Trust me."
I grind my teeth and replay the map and the pattern overlay in my head as we jog down the corridor. I do trust Zion, but I haven't had the chance to give him the whole story yet. But I think I know where he's taking us, and it's in the same direction I agree is our best bet for a research space as well.
I catch up to him and match his pace. "You need to know more of how we got here. So here's the quick and dirty story, Z. Those plans I found inside the captain were for an advanced AI mining machine that Ash Corp, certain galactic security personnel, who-knows-how-many space pirates, and the EPL have all collaborated on."
Zion stumbles momentarily as he stares at me, anger twisting his handsome face. He looks straight ahead and increases his speed.
"Yeah, I thought you'd like that. See why I wanted you back at the domes?"
Zion doesn't say anything.
I try to keep up with his faster pace. "So, anyway this group has built an AI that we believe, is somehow sentient enough to have some sort of capability to be able to sense high quality minerals, dig to the vein, mine it, and bring it out to a barge. All without humans ever setting foot inside the asteroid or planetary mine."
I let out a surprised shout as I run straight into Zion who has stopped dead in his tracks. He wraps his arms around me to pull me back to my feet. I stare into his eyes, now filled with fear instead of anger.
"Are you serious, B? That would put miners out of work, generations of laborers suddenly without jobs or homes."
Derek was more cautious behind us and stops easily beside me. I look over at him, not knowing exactly how much I should say to Zion. He gives me a small nod. I guess he's decided we have no choice but to trust my friend.
"Z, the miner's jobs are a majorly important issue. You know I feel that way, but this is a far bigger problem than that. More complicated. More dangerous."
Hands on hips, Zion faces Derek and I. "Try me," he growls.
I adjust my pack. I don't hear anyone behind us, so I take a deep breath.
"This group of people are willing to kill and injure innocent miners to cover their tracks and retrieve their data and research. The plans I saw were more of a sales pitch, not details on how they plan to accomplish this. But the one mine we did get to before it was completely destroyed left us shocked. What was left behind was chilling."
Zion frowns and nods, so we keep walking. I notice we're close to the butterfly intersection, so I walk alongside him as I finish my quick update of the last few months.
"The AIs are put into the ceiling, so they're obviously testing for zero gravity situations. And the fact that Ash Corp is involving the EPL is disturbing. First of all, we all know that the EPL does not want more expansion, so them backing this project is all wrong." I look at Derek. "We think, and our friends who brought us here agree with us, that the EPL is using all of them for their own purpose — the pirates, Ash Corp, and the galactic troops. You know the EPL only wants a pure race of humans, and for that pure civilization to flourish inside this galaxy. So what do you think the EPL is going to do once this AI is complete and ready to sell, or use or whatever they're going to do with it?"
"Destroy it?" Zion shrugs.
"They won't be able to. There are too many people involved. And too many people that know what's going on."
"Then they'll use it toward their founding mission somehow, like you were saying earlier."
"Yes, I think they're going to somehow use this AI brain against us. I'm not exactly sure how. Maybe to destroy the outer mining colonies? I'm not sure yet, I think we're still missing a large piece of this puzzle."
The butterfly intersection is actually a meeting of several corridors. Some of them circle back, tunnels that go nowhere to confuse newbies. The overview of this area looks like butterfly wings. But down inside the intersection to the untrained eye it looks like we have several choices of tunnels to choose from.
Zion takes us down one of the six tunnel choices, one that I can't remember. I hesitate, but then follow him. Although I was a lousy friend and didn't keep in touch with him, he's still one of the only people that I know I can trust on Mars. So I keep walking, Derek right behind us.
"It's also a very clean digger, and efficient," I continue. "But it looks like maybe they're having trouble with the AI's emotions - kind of like when a starship has to reboot their AI interfaces when the machine can't handle it's newly learned emotions and commands. Although useful for ship operations, even the starship engineers haven't figured out how to keep the AIs running without the machines going crazy."
Zion stays quiet for a while as we take turn after turn. This part of the mine is the original dig established centuries ago. Rough tunnel walls made from old materials not even in use anymore. The temperature starts to rise, and I know we've reached the backside of one of the newer live tunnels. It always amazes me how much the friction from all the machines can heat up so much, even with all of our new tech.
I frown. I wonder if they solved the heat problem with this new AI we're tracking down?
"Anything else I should know?" Zion is suddenly beside me, abruptly jarring me out of my dark thoughts.
I put my hand on my chest and slow my pace to a walk. "Good grief, Z."
Zion chuckles and gives Derek a high five behind me.
I turn and look between Derek and Zion. "What?"
They both laugh. "You had that look. The one where you're figuring something out," says Derek, his dimple showing on one side.
"Yep. Just like you've always done. Gone into that place that tugs at you, where you figure things out. Ever since she was little she's done that. Used to get her in a lot of trouble at school. The teachers would give her extra work for her 'daydreaming' episodes." Zion addresses this last remark to Derek, whose laugh is accompanied by a sympathetic glance at me.
"Guess you've always had some sort of issue at school, huh?" Derek says quietly.
"One kind or another." I concentrate on getting my heart rate back down as we continue walking.
I feel the second we leave the main corridor and are in the mining tunnel. The uneven rough rock crunches loudly under my sneakers. I reach out and drag the tips of my fingers over the rough walls as we walk, the texture soothing and familiar.
"Have you been down this way lately, Z?" I wonder if the lifts here have been maintained at all.
He turns and grins at me. "Of course. What kind of supervisor would I be if I didn't keep the old tunnels working in case of emergency, right?"
I watch as his grin fades.
"It's a good thing you've been so diligent this past year."
Zion nods and slows his pace as the rock underneath our feet gets more uneven.
I feel a warm hand on my shoulder and then Derek whispers, "Why is it so important to maintain these old tunnels? What does that even mean? They're just rock walls and old lifts, right?"
I turn slightly so I can see Derek. He's worried. I can tell in his eyes and the way his body moves protectively next to me. I think he's not only worried about another lift experience like the first one, but also of the unknown.
I hurry my pace, urging Zion to go faster as I talk to Derek. "Because the way we're getting d
own into the mines is a back route of sorts. No one uses these areas anymore. That's why I think we're on the right path to finding the research."
"But you've been taking me down back routes since Delta station. There's something different about these?"
Zion stops in front of us. "Here."
"I don't have time to explain. Just know this is the only way we're going to get around the pirates and troops in the mine, without them seeing us."
Derek narrows his eyes at me as the lift doors growl horribly open. "And the research location?"
I nod and pull him onto the lift. "Yes, I'm sure we're going the right way."
We have three lifts to ride before we get to the heart of the mine. I'm fidgeting and anxious to get to the bottom and figure out what kind of disaster awaits us. I feel like we're walking in slow motion having to take all these back routes. But after seeing the pirates on all those supposedly secure floors, I know this is necessary.
Zion crosses his arms as he stands with feet spread wide in the middle of the lift. Like a true miner the jerking motion of the lift won't faze him. He has the balance and agility of an Earth cat.
I match his stance. Even though I've been out of the mines for over a year, I haven't lost any of my survival skills. I then pivot my feet on the rough wood floor to face Derek, who as I suspected, is strung tight with hands clenched at his sides. He's plastered himself flat against the wall, hanging on for dear life.
Zion hits the button and we plummet.
This lift isn't as fast as the first one. I listen to the echoes of the lift bounce off the rock wall and calculate we're almost to the first drop off point. "We've got two more lifts to go after this," I say to Derek.
He groans.
The lift comes to a grinding halt.
"So far we've done pretty good not running into anyone, right?" I take Derek's hand and pull him out of the lift.
I hide a small smile and follow Zion, who's shaking his head at us.
"What?" I ask him.
"Nothing. It's just good having you back, B." He grins and keeps walking.
I chew my lip as I try to think of something to say to that. I know I didn't have a choice in leaving Mars to go live with my dad, but I wish I had done a better job of keeping in touch.
The walls around us start shaking and I have to let go of Derek's hand so we can keep our balance. I grasp the rock wall and flatten myself to it as small rocks fall all around our heads.
When the rocking eases off, I look around to see that both Zion and Derek are safe and brushing red dust off themselves.
As the vibrations die down, I listen to the thrum of the machines below us and the higher pitch of metal scraping rhythmically on rock. The familiarity another reminder that this was my home for sixteen years.
A chill goes up my spine. The machines are still running. They weren't the cause of the quake.
A deep growl vibrates up my throat as I realize we may be too late. I push past Derek and Zion and hurry down the corridor. A sharp, sickening pain starts in my stomach. That was no mining blast. Not in this area.
13
Free Fall
I stomp through the familiar tunnel toward the second level lift. I watch the rough walls for cracks or signs of another quake. Piecing together all that's gone on the last year, I realize that it's looking like my mom's death was most definitely not an accident.
This is why you're here, Bren. To figure out what happened to Mom and to stop whatever is going on.
I stop at the lift door and pound my head against the rusty metal.
"B, don't." Zion pulls me away from the door and turns me around. His face is a mask of concern. A growling, scraping sound comes from above and we look up to see the outline of the second lift descending. The three of us race back down the tunnel, making sure we're in the shadows.
"See anyone on it, Z?" My heart races in my chest.
"Did you push the retrieve button yet?" Zion whispers.
I think for a second before I answer. "No."
"Then let's get farther down the tunnel."
Derek and I follow Zion a short way down the dimly lit tunnel and flatten ourselves against the wall in a dark alcove near one of the cross tunnels. We can still hear the screeching lift despite the constant noise from below.
I hold my breath and close my eyes as I listen to the sounds down the tunnel. The lift finally comes to a loud crashing halt as it reaches our level. A shiver goes up my spine as I hear the sound of the gate being dragged open and loud male voices echo in the chamber. I hear retching sounds and I grin as the other troops swear at the sick man. Derek might've gone pale from the treacherous ride but at least he didn't puke.
A thin layer of Martian dust is visible at the end of the tunnel as the men move in our direction. I look over at Derek whose eyes are wide. I lean toward him and whisper in his ear, "Breathe slowly through your nose so you don't cough."
I pull off my backpack quietly and unzip a front pocket. I pull out a round disc but freeze as I hear the men coming our direction. I look at Zion who's pointing over our shoulders. I nod and start shuffling deeper into the dark, pulling Derek along. The tunnel curves here, but then ends. I press Derek against the far wall and press the disc over his mouth and nose. He relaxes as the oxygen mask helps him breath easier. Zion presses his body up against ours and we stiffen in place, as the men get closer.
There's a metallic clanking sound as the men walk awkwardly on the uneven rock floor and my heart sinks. Armed galactic security. If they turn down this tunnel branch we'll be trapped.
I bite my lip until it bleeds. The metallic taste reminds me again of not only how much danger we're in right now, but that it's even more imperative that we get down to the bottom of the mine to find the truth of what's going on here. If it's not already too late.
This is the best chance we have to find out what the pirates are doing in the mines. Until now we've been too late. We've arrived at the scenes of the attacks after every clue had already been destroyed.
I open my eyes and see flashes of light at the bend of our hiding spot. I hear Zion take in a deep, quiet breath as he notices the same thing. I focus on those dancing lights and wait, my heart racing, to see if they come our way.
My lungs feel like they're about to explode when the lights finally pass by our tunnel, the men grumbling and complaining in loud voices.
Soon we're left bathed only in the dim glow of the bioluminescent light strips attached along the walls. I feel giddy and have to clamp a hand over my mouth. I tend to laugh in tense situations, and this is not the time for that.
Zion creeps forward to peek around the corner. I move slightly so Derek can push off the rock wall. He's almost hyperventilating so I press my hands against his chest and look up into his eyes. I don't dare say anything, but I make sure he keeps eye contact with me until he gets his breathing under control. Working in security he probably knows more than I do how dangerous galactic troops can be.
We follow Zion back out to the main tunnel.
"What now, Z?" I whisper into his ear. His long curls have been tied back and only a few short ones have escaped their tight imprisonment.
"I think they're far enough down the tunnel we can get to the lift."
I squint in the dim light in both directions. From here I can't see the lift or the men. "Are you sure? The lift is awful loud. Once it starts up they'll hear it."
"I'll put it in emergency mode. We'll be long gone before they can get there." Zion looks back at me with a grim expression.
Emergency mode is not fun. My stomach clenches at the thought.
I can't think of any other ideas so I just nod, swallowing. I grab Derek's hand and we dash down the tunnel as quietly as we can.
The lift doors grate horribly on their hinges and my heart feels like it will beat right out of my chest. I shove Derek into the lift and pull him down to the floor with me. I point to straps along the bottom edge of the wall.
"What on Charon's moo
ns are we doing, Bren?" He tries to stand back up but I pull him back down.
"Trust me Derek, you need to hang on tight. I don't have time to explain." I show him how to brace his feet on the now-closed gate and loop his fists through the straps. I do the same.
Zion looks down at me, his hand hovering over the red button. We hear the muffled sounds of boots running on the rock floor back toward us.
I nod. In one fluid movement Zion pushes the button and throws himself down on the other side of me and mimics our position. His hands are barely in the straps when we feel a sickening feeling in the pit of our stomachs as the lift lurches into free fall.
I hear a muffled scream and I turn my head as best I can to see Derek's eyes wide and his oxygen mask muffling the screams tearing out of his chest. The rock wall behind him is blurred as we drop at terrifying speed down the hole.
"Just hang in there, Derek. We'll be all right."
He shakes his head violently.
"Yes we will. It'll slow before we hit the next floor." I hope. Zion and I did this once before when we were younger. We got in a lot of trouble for it, since it sends out alarms to all the safety techs. And we had bruises on our wrists and butts for days. Let's hope the same safety protocols are being followed so we don't fall to our deaths.
Just as my stomach gets used to the free fall it starts feeling sick again, signaling the slow down of the lift. I turn and grin at Zion who is grinning back at me. We were always doing crazy things like this to beat the boredom. We were kids with too much energy and time on their hands who lived in an enclosed system.
The lift comes to a horrendous crashing stop and my wrists feel like they've been separated from my hands. I slowly ease out of the straps and stand up, my knees a bit weak. I rub my wrists, red welts already forming. Zion is doing the same, a grin still on his face. Although picked on by the other kids, at heart he'd always been an adrenaline junky. With me, anyway.
I turn to help Derek up and he's still sitting on the floor, his head bent over his lap. I kneel quickly beside him. "Derek?"
Delta Fringe Series Boxset: Books 1-3 Page 44
