Reunited

Posted on Tue Jul 31st, 2012 @ 9:19am by Commodore Samantha York

848 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Subjugation
Location: In the Mines, Sector 15
Timeline: Day 38

ON

Samantha slowly made her way to the riot area. She had to go slowly to keep from being killed or drawn into the fighting. She didn't like fighting, if she could help it, and right now she had more important things to do; chief among them was finding Damon.

The air was thick with smoke from the many fires. She used a bandanna she'd acquired some time ago, soaked it in a bucket of water and used it to cover her mouth and nose. The last thing she wanted was to collapse from smoke inhalation now when she was so close to finally reaching her goal.

Just up ahead, if her sources were correct, was the entrance to the lower levels. Specifically, Sector 15. She found a nook to hide in and waited.

For a while there was nothing but the usual comings and goings of the prisoners. Hauling ore down the ramp, coming up with empty carts to fill again with the raw ore. On occasion, guards would pass in pairs and small groups, keeping an eye on the prisoners. The riots behind her had little effect on the group here, whether because they were guarded so heavily or because the conditions were so harsh no one had enough fight left in them to cause trouble, she didn't know.

Suddenly there were several small explosions followed by one large explosion. The concussive blast knocked everyone off his or her feet. It was followed immediately by the sound wave loud enough to make Sam's ears ring. The lights flickered for a moment.

The ground continued to shake as chunks of rock rained down onto the men struggling to get to their feet. A secondary blast caused more rumbling and violent shaking. A section of the cave deeper in the mine collapsed. Billows of rocky dust rolled out of the inner mine, covering everyone in a thick coat of debris. Anyone who managed to get to his or her feet was again flung to the ground by the secondary blast. More large chunks of rock rained from the ceiling, followed by part of Sector 8.

The power flickered and went out. Without power, the only light came from the many fires from the riots and the glow from the mining facility below.

Sam wasn't going to wait and see what happened next. As most of the fighting had come to an abrupt halt as the men who hadn't been crushed by falling debris picked themselves up off the ground and headed to the outer mine. Some men who still lived called for help. Instead of puling them free, a number of men took large rocks and tools and finished the job.

The sight made her sick. But there was nothing she could do, so she hurried down the ramp to see if she could find Damon.

Fortunately, no one paid much attention to Sam. There were still a number of men on the lower level. Those who hadn't made a run for the ramp were trying to find other ways out. This level was less hospitable than the rest of the mine. The air was filled with smoke and the smell of molten ore. A conveyor belt, now still, led into a hole in the wall. Sam could see a short ways down to where the ceiling had collapsed. She'd heard of a refinery down here. Obviously it wasn't working anymore. Served whomever ran this facility right. The thought gave her a grim satisfaction. But only for a moment. Her focus right now was Damon.

She could feel him nearby. She began to search quickly, looking from one group to another until she found him near the entrance to what used to be a refinery. He was putting something he'd just picked up off the ground into his pocket. If she wasn't paying attention she might have missed it.

Damon? She used telepathy to keep from drawing any unnecessary attention. He turned to face her. Bandages covered half his head and face. Damon! She ran up to him and hugged him tightly; burying her face against his shoulder so he wouldn't see the tears she couldn't hold back.

The weeks of searching for him, first with the Von Braun and then through the various sectors of the mine, never giving up hope and now...he was here and he was alive and she'd finally found him.

She stepped back to look at his face. The lines of stress and fatigue were clear and it almost broke her heart. She kissed him gently, letting him know without words that she loved him. She was about to ask him what happened when the ground shook again and another section of the refinery collapsed. "We have to go. Power's out and everyone's fighting to get out."

She grabbed his hand and together they hurried up the ramp. There would be time later to talk. Now they had to get out and meet up with the others.

OFF

Captain Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Commander Damon Raine
Executive Officer

 

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