Gorg snapped his attention back to the present but found himself unable to form the words at first. The female before him had beautiful coloring and practically oozed with pheromones. How she had not yet managed to stir up the entire cantina into a mating frenzy was beyond his understanding.
"My father owns this place," she explained, as if reading his thoughts.
"You know your father?"
She shrugged. "My birth mother died protecting her eggs from a predator. Most of them didn't survive the attack. I guess he felt a little protective of me after that."
"How peculiar."
"My father is a peculiar guy." She inched closer. "Now what can I get you?"
"I..." Gorg hesitated. He was going to have to be very careful about what he said and who he said things to from here on out. "I heard that your... your father was... umm.... peculiar..."
Zelenca were not normally known for having expressive features but right now the young female was giving him a decidedly skeptical look.
This isn't going anywhere.
Mustering up what little was left of his courage Gorg blurted out, "I need to speak to your father."
"Why?"
"He and I... have similar goals for Shawm."
The female's hard stare remained unbroken but Gorg got the feeling that she was now trying to measure him up. "And what goals would those be?"
"I... I believe that he and I... would like to see Shawm continue as an independent planet."
"You're clearly not from the deep waters. Why should we trust you?"
"Because I have everything to lose by being here. If they find out..."
The stare continued but the female relaxed ever so slightly. "Very well. We shall hear what you have to say. But be warned: I'm not just a pretty face that serves refreshments."
I have no doubt about that.
Showing posts with label Adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adventures. Show all posts
Tempered Flight (Extended Adventure)
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Book 2 of the Calen Natari Saga
Another scrape with Imperium patrols has forced Calen Natari into hiding on the exotic and highly dangerous planet Zink. Born a desert nomad, the confinement is intolerable for Calen but necessary if she wants to stay out of an Imperium prison.
While biding her time, she encounters a man who offers to help her with her less-than-impressive piloting skills. But it seems that this man is no ordinary teacher...
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 8,000 words.
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Another scrape with Imperium patrols has forced Calen Natari into hiding on the exotic and highly dangerous planet Zink. Born a desert nomad, the confinement is intolerable for Calen but necessary if she wants to stay out of an Imperium prison.
While biding her time, she encounters a man who offers to help her with her less-than-impressive piloting skills. But it seems that this man is no ordinary teacher...
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 8,000 words.
Questionable Cantina (Adventure) - Gorg Chum Saga 9
The cantina--not-so-cleverly named "The Water Hole"--was thriving with life. Gorg wasn't so sure why this took him by surprise. He must have assumed that the poor would have better things to spend their quaves on but from the looks of things this place was the spending destination of choices. The tables were generously spread throughout the establishment but every square inch in between was occupied by every manner of rough-looking individual.
A sharp bone from someone's body connected directly with Gorg's sternum so hard it launched him back several yards into a pack of large, imposing individuals. "Watch it!" One of them snapped at Gorg as he shoved Gorg back in the direction he came from.
"Sorry," Gorg muttered to himself. More and more he was thinking that this might have been a bad idea. Now was the time he could still turn back and it wouldn't be too late. As of yet he had not committed any crimes against his government. He could go back home now to his comfortable home and comfortable job and no one would be the wiser.
No. If I turn back now there will be no home to go back to eventually.
Well, that wasn't entirely true, his more cowardly half reasoned. Your home would simply be under Imperium jurisdiction. And you would probably be able to keep your job.
Snared in the grips of indecision, Gorg did not even notice the breathtakingly beautiful female until she asked with a smile, "You look a bit lost. Can I get you anything?"
A sharp bone from someone's body connected directly with Gorg's sternum so hard it launched him back several yards into a pack of large, imposing individuals. "Watch it!" One of them snapped at Gorg as he shoved Gorg back in the direction he came from.
"Sorry," Gorg muttered to himself. More and more he was thinking that this might have been a bad idea. Now was the time he could still turn back and it wouldn't be too late. As of yet he had not committed any crimes against his government. He could go back home now to his comfortable home and comfortable job and no one would be the wiser.
No. If I turn back now there will be no home to go back to eventually.
Well, that wasn't entirely true, his more cowardly half reasoned. Your home would simply be under Imperium jurisdiction. And you would probably be able to keep your job.
Snared in the grips of indecision, Gorg did not even notice the breathtakingly beautiful female until she asked with a smile, "You look a bit lost. Can I get you anything?"
The Uxel Herum Saga Omnibus Edition (Extended Adventure)
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The Omnibus Edition contains books 1-5 of Uxel Herum's journey.
Orphaned at an early age, Uxel has managed to survive for years on nothing but her wits and cunning. But her difficult childhood has left her craving for power and wealth. When offered the chance to join an ancient order of elite warriors she jumps at the chance, thinking the opportunity an end to her problems and a chance to gain that which she desires most.
Join Uxel on her journey of a lifetime as she encounters strange races and travels to planets that put all of her beliefs to the test.
This collection of young adult science fiction novelettes is approximately 57,000 words.
The Slums (Adventure) - Gorg Chum Saga 8
Gorg Chum eyed his surroundings warily as he steered his small, one-man submarine through the dark channels of water. He had lived on Shawm for all of his life but never once had he ventured this far into the slums.
Up until now he had never had a need.
His had been a privileged upbringing. As a youth he had been given the finest education Shawm had to offer. His birth mother was an important figure with good connections. Gorg had slipped into the higher political levels as easily as he had slipped into the water as a fingerling.
Advocating jobs for the poorer classes and actually visiting said poorer classes were two entirely separate things in Gorg's mind.
The temperature in the submarine dropped as he plunged further and further into the deeper, less hospitable waters. The general lack of sunshine made food and resources scarce in this area and, therefore, cheaper to live.
Gorg shivered as he adjusted the sub's heading toward the main stretch of caves and dwellings. His shiver had nothing to do with the cold. For the first time in his life he felt completely out of his league. Deciding to swim smack in the middle of the resistance had seemed like a good idea from the comfort of his own office. But now he wasn't so sure.
Up until now he had never had a need.
His had been a privileged upbringing. As a youth he had been given the finest education Shawm had to offer. His birth mother was an important figure with good connections. Gorg had slipped into the higher political levels as easily as he had slipped into the water as a fingerling.
Advocating jobs for the poorer classes and actually visiting said poorer classes were two entirely separate things in Gorg's mind.
The temperature in the submarine dropped as he plunged further and further into the deeper, less hospitable waters. The general lack of sunshine made food and resources scarce in this area and, therefore, cheaper to live.
Gorg shivered as he adjusted the sub's heading toward the main stretch of caves and dwellings. His shiver had nothing to do with the cold. For the first time in his life he felt completely out of his league. Deciding to swim smack in the middle of the resistance had seemed like a good idea from the comfort of his own office. But now he wasn't so sure.
First Steps (Adventure) - Gorg Chum Saga 7
Calen Natari had completed her assignment by finding proof of Imperium presence. But her most useful contribution was the report Gorg made her turn in on her findings. Apparently Calen had sniffed around one of the cantinas in the slums. She indicated that the bartender running the shop seemed to be connected to some sort of resistance movement.
I will start there.
Shawm is almost entirely covered in water. And, as such, the natives are rightfully confident that invasion would be extremely difficult for air-breathing invaders. But therein lay the problem. Gorg's people had no standing army. A fatal mistake in a galaxy filled with unrest.
If Gorg could somehow make contact with this bartender and earn the man's trust that would be a start. He needed to know how large the resistance was and if their goals might be in line with his own.
Gorg glanced down at his trademark government uniform. I'm going to need a disguise, though.
I will start there.
Shawm is almost entirely covered in water. And, as such, the natives are rightfully confident that invasion would be extremely difficult for air-breathing invaders. But therein lay the problem. Gorg's people had no standing army. A fatal mistake in a galaxy filled with unrest.
If Gorg could somehow make contact with this bartender and earn the man's trust that would be a start. He needed to know how large the resistance was and if their goals might be in line with his own.
Gorg glanced down at his trademark government uniform. I'm going to need a disguise, though.
Awakening: The Uxel Herum Saga (Extended Adventure)
Book 5 of the Uxel Herum Saga
Everything Uxel Herum thought she knew about her past was a lie and her very identity has been put into question. Uxel must now face her final test in order to become a full-fledged tuner. Running away is no longer an option.
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 11,600 words.
Considerations (Adventure) - Gorg Chum Saga 6
"Your argument is strong. But peace requires trust. If we start to prepare for war, it would surely incite the Imperium to do the same. No, we must do nothing."
That was the council's verdict. Gorg Chum was back in his office staring at nothing as he was wont to do when in deep thought.
Zelencan rooms were not like what one might see on a plant with land-based creatures. Zelenca were just as comfortable in the water as they were out. The rooms they built on their native planet did not have what humans would call an "up" or "down."
Gorg floated about the room aimlessly. The Imperium was here. Calen Natari had proven as much.
No, we must do nothing...
The council's verdict bothered him. Gorg was not one to do nothing. He was a zelenca and part of the collective whole. His very nature compelled him to follow their school of thought.
What the council decided was wrong.
This fact was blindingly clear to Gorg. And this feeling that he was right was stronger than his need to conform. But such thoughts were dangerous.
I will have to commit treason.
Glory: The Uxel Herum Saga (Extended Adventure)
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Uxel Herum's plan to infiltrate the Imperium capital world quickly begins to go awry. While she initially hoped to act as a spy for the strozzi she is now little more than a glorified prisoner. Will she be able to complete her mission... alive?
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 10,100 words.
Worth the Risk: The Calen Natari Saga (Extended Adventure)
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Book 1 of the Calen Natari Saga
The assassin profession is proving to be more difficult than Calen anticipated. Not exactly overwhelmed with job requests, Calen is forced to land on a nearby planet to repair her badly damaged ship.
A stranger she runs into at the local cantina may be the solution to her problems. He lost his honor but is rich enough to pay Calen to help him regain it. All she has to do is risk her life...
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 7,500 words.
Exchange: The Uxel Herum Saga (Extended Adventure)
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After training on Kortholt for more than two years, Uxel Herum is turning into a powerful tuner. The leader of her adopted clan has a mission for her that, strangely enough, will not only test her skills as a tuner but a merchant as well.
Unsure of how she feels being thrown back into her old life, Uxel finds herself in the thick of black market trading on the planet Zink. While trying to gather information about Imperium invasion plans she is thrown into a rather interesting situation. One that could make her money than she ever dreamed...
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 10,500 words.
Fugitive: The Uxel Herum Saga (Extended Adventure)
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Book 2 of the Uxel Herum Saga
Fearing retribution, Uxel Herum flees Gemshorn. Her escape is short lived when her ship malfunctions and she crashes to the surface of a neighboring planet, leaving her completely stranded.
While trying to explore her new surroundings Uxel is captured by the natives who are as formidable as they are fearsome. Their leader offers Uxel a chance to prove her skills, provided Uxel has any skills worth proving...
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 12,300 words.
Reborn: The Uxel Herum Saga (Extended Adventure)
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Book 1 of the Uxel Herum Saga
To any Imperium official that asked, Uxel was a simple fruit merchant. She makes enough to make her business appear legitimate, nothing more. The real money was in selling weapons and information.
She encounters an intriguing stranger in the marketplace. One Uxel hopes will be interested in making a lucrative trade. But this stranger is not all he seems and the deal he offers Uxel has nothing to do with money but a chance to become a powerful tuner.
This young adult science fiction novelette is approximately 13,500 words.
Graduation from Basic (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 25
Cadet, Third Degree Reuben Calloway felt the sting of tears around the corners of his eyes but he managed to hold them back as he stood rigidly at attention. He made it through basic training. He made it!
His crisp, black and red dress uniform was spotless. Reuben had polished his boots three times to ensure that they could reflect lights. On his right arm was the traditional red insignia of the Imperium and on his left he now bore the symbol of Special Assault Corp.
He couldn't see them but he knew his parents were sitting proudly in the audience. It was every human parent's dream to see their offspring have a distinguished military career. They all were required to serve their five years but only the best continued on to become high-ranking officers.
Reuben could see himself continuing down this path. He had been terrified of what he would have to face in training but now he was no longer afraid of his future. He could handle anything the Rebellion threw at him, he was sure of it. He still had four more years of schooling and training but it would only serve to make him even better.
The last speaker finally concluded and Sergeant Bamtrob walked onto the stage. "You are now soldiers of the Imperium. Soldiers SAL-UTE!"
The audience erupted into cheers and Reuben felt himself swell with pride. This was the greatest day of his life. Things could only go up from here.
Recovering (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 24
Reuben groaned as he tried to wake up. His eyes still felt heavy and everything ached, especially his throbbing ankle. Peering through the slits in his eyelids he felt momentarily disoriented. He expected to see the familiar stone walls of his Gittern cave but instead saw the clean metal paneling of his barracks.
Then he remembered.
The rendezvous point... his tracking device not working... barely making it to the ship just as the doors were closing...
He also remembered making it back to his bunk and feeling as if he could sleep for days. Perhaps he had? He had no idea how much time had elapsed since he returned. He glanced at his chronometer. It was only a hour or two from dawn.
The sound of light snoring made Reuben look around. Some of his classmates were also back in their bunks but not all. A girl he had trained that had had a pretty smile was missing and Reuben felt saddened. Not everyone had been as lucky as he.
Tapping the screen on his chronometer he saw orders to appear in full dress uniform at 0700... two hours from now. He leaned back against his hard pillow and let his eyes close again. He made it.
Then he remembered.
The rendezvous point... his tracking device not working... barely making it to the ship just as the doors were closing...
He also remembered making it back to his bunk and feeling as if he could sleep for days. Perhaps he had? He had no idea how much time had elapsed since he returned. He glanced at his chronometer. It was only a hour or two from dawn.
The sound of light snoring made Reuben look around. Some of his classmates were also back in their bunks but not all. A girl he had trained that had had a pretty smile was missing and Reuben felt saddened. Not everyone had been as lucky as he.
Tapping the screen on his chronometer he saw orders to appear in full dress uniform at 0700... two hours from now. He leaned back against his hard pillow and let his eyes close again. He made it.
Survival Day 14 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 23
Reuben's eyes felt heavy. If he could just close them for only a minute everything would be so much better...
No! I have to stay awake!
There was only one hour left until his rendezvous time. The pickup point was only twenty minutes away but he couldn't risk leaving too early. The weather was too unpredictable, too brutal. The heat seemed to have lessened slightly by Reuben was not fooled.
His stomach growled. The first thing he was going to do when he got back was eat. The roots that he had found and the rations had been enough to sustain him, but not much else. The biting edge of hunger had become an old friend by this point... his only friend.
Forty minutes left.
Reuben peered outside his cave. The weather still seemed to be holding. Now was the time. Tightening the straps on his pack and boots, he set out at a brisk pace despite his protesting ankle. There would be time enough to let his limbs heal. He would not be stuck on this lifeless rock.
Twenty-five minutes left.
Vert!
The ankle was slowing him down more than he thought it would. He was going to have to pick up his pace. The weather was noticeably cooling off by the second which made Reuben glance around nervously. Snow was sure to start soon, he could feel it. There would be no way for him to make the pickup in time with a bad ankle and trekking through feet of snow.
Gritting his teeth, he tried to ignore the pain as best he could and pressed on.
Ten minutes left.
A thin sheen of frost began to form on the skin of the mushrooms. Reuben looked at the time and quickly did some calculations. At this pace he should arrive there exactly on time. Exactly on time. No room for error.
Two minutes left.
His tracking device began to blink and fuzz out.
"Vert!"
Looking around frantically he search for any signs of the ship. The mushroom forrest made it impossible to see very far but he should at least be able to hear the ship... anything!
He heard a low rumble coming from the south. At least he thought it was from that direction. It was impossible to be certain but he didn't have time to question his decision.
He sprinted in that direction has fast as he could. The rumbles were growing louder as the engine prepared for take off. There! In the small clearing! He could see the transport shuttle. The doors were slowly sliding shut.
"Wait! I'm here!"
Two minutes left.
His tracking device began to blink and fuzz out.
"Vert!"
Looking around frantically he search for any signs of the ship. The mushroom forrest made it impossible to see very far but he should at least be able to hear the ship... anything!
He heard a low rumble coming from the south. At least he thought it was from that direction. It was impossible to be certain but he didn't have time to question his decision.
He sprinted in that direction has fast as he could. The rumbles were growing louder as the engine prepared for take off. There! In the small clearing! He could see the transport shuttle. The doors were slowly sliding shut.
"Wait! I'm here!"
Survival Day 13 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 22
It wouldn't have even mattered if he could walk. There was nowhere to go. The heat seemed to be growing more and more intense as each day dragged by, turning Reuben's hideout into a veritable oven. The only problem was that it was still hotter outside the oven than in.
Tomorrow. They're coming to pick me up tomorrow. All I have to do is make it to the rendezvous coordinates they send.
The heat was making him delirious and his ankle was so swollen he could barely move his foot. It didn't matter. There was no where to go. Best to put off the agony of shoving on his boots until the last possible minute.
What if they forget about me? What if the season changes make landing impossible? Or what if they interfere with the rendezvous signal? What if I'm stuck here?
Reuben tried to shake off the unsettling thoughts but found it impossible to totally reassure himself. Prolonged isolation had toyed with his mind, making him paranoid.
They're going to forget me. I'm just one cadet among thousands. Why would they care if I was alive or dead? There will be twenty more to replace me.
Best not to sleep then. It was the only way to ensure that he heard the communication signal when it came.
What if it already came? What if I miscounted the days and they've already come and gone?
Tomorrow. They're coming to pick me up tomorrow. All I have to do is make it to the rendezvous coordinates they send.
The heat was making him delirious and his ankle was so swollen he could barely move his foot. It didn't matter. There was no where to go. Best to put off the agony of shoving on his boots until the last possible minute.
What if they forget about me? What if the season changes make landing impossible? Or what if they interfere with the rendezvous signal? What if I'm stuck here?
Reuben tried to shake off the unsettling thoughts but found it impossible to totally reassure himself. Prolonged isolation had toyed with his mind, making him paranoid.
They're going to forget me. I'm just one cadet among thousands. Why would they care if I was alive or dead? There will be twenty more to replace me.
Best not to sleep then. It was the only way to ensure that he heard the communication signal when it came.
What if it already came? What if I miscounted the days and they've already come and gone?
Survival Day 10 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 21
The heat and painful throbbing of his ankle woke Reuben up for the umpteenth time. He saw that his sprained appendage was turning several different shades of purple and blue. With a groan he grit his teeth against the pain and leaned back against the cool stone floor of his cave.
For the second time he had barely outrun the vicious storm. There he had been dangling twenty feet above the ground and watching the lightning roll in with brutal efficiency. He had had no choice. He had pulled his knife out of the mushroom stalk and slid the rest of the way down grabbing whatever he could to slow his decent.
His landing had been less than graceful, the force of the hitting the ground was enough to make him roll his ankle despite the thick combat boots he wore. Fueled by adrenaline he had managed to make it to the cave right as the first wave of deadly bolts began to strike the ground.
Four more days. Just four more days of this and I'm done.
Four days might as well have been an eternity. His survival pack contained bandages and coagulants but nothing so trivial as a pain reliever. Which meant he couldn't even find respite in sleep. Added to that the heat and humidity of the early summer season was oppressive.
Four days. I can do this. Only four more days...
For the second time he had barely outrun the vicious storm. There he had been dangling twenty feet above the ground and watching the lightning roll in with brutal efficiency. He had had no choice. He had pulled his knife out of the mushroom stalk and slid the rest of the way down grabbing whatever he could to slow his decent.
His landing had been less than graceful, the force of the hitting the ground was enough to make him roll his ankle despite the thick combat boots he wore. Fueled by adrenaline he had managed to make it to the cave right as the first wave of deadly bolts began to strike the ground.
Four more days. Just four more days of this and I'm done.
Four days might as well have been an eternity. His survival pack contained bandages and coagulants but nothing so trivial as a pain reliever. Which meant he couldn't even find respite in sleep. Added to that the heat and humidity of the early summer season was oppressive.
Four days. I can do this. Only four more days...
Survival Day 8 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 20
This is not good. Not good at all. Vert!
Getting stuck on top of a giant, slippery mushroom was not something they had covered in basic survival training. In fact, if any of his commanding officers saw him now they'd probably laugh at his foolish mistake.
But there was no way I could have stopped it from happening! I wonder how many cadets end up like this?
It was a question he wasn't really sure he wanted an answer to. He'd seen the ferocity of Gittern's storms. He'd seen how many mushrooms had populated the planet before compared to after. He didn't stand much of a chance and unlike the mushrooms he didn't just grow back.
He had to figure a way out of this. He did not want his parents to suffer the humiliation of receiving a transmission saying he died during basic training due to getting stuck on top of a three-story piece of fungus.
This wasn't going to be easy. Despite the rapid growth rate he could see happening all over the surface of the planet, no other shorter mushrooms had sprouted nearby. So jumping down was out of the question. The dome of the mushroom he was perched on was far too slicked to safely hang on to the edge to see if there were any grips on the underneath side.
Reuben had managed to hang on to his survival pack but unfortunately it contained no cord or climbing gear. Which mean he was going to have to improvise.
The only tools he had where his pistol and knife. Not much but better than nothing. Setting his pistol to the lowest energy setting, he aimed carefully at a portion of the dome a little bit away from where he was sitting. There was a sizzle followed by an unpleasant smell. Reuben inspected his work and saw that there was a hole large enough to stick his fist in... or be used as a foothold.
He briefly considered blasting a hole straight through the dome to the stalk. But he nixed the idea based on the size of the mushroom and how little damage the low power setting had caused. To cut through the dome would take almost the entire charge of his pistol's power cell.
Aiming again he fired a few more blasts, enough for him climb down the side of the dome and dangle off the edge. The decent was still dangerous, the inside contents of the mushroom were squishy and unstable. More than once he almost slipped right out.
Gripping the edge of the dome as firmly as he could, Reuben took three bracing breaths and then took the plunge. Panic tore through him as he realized that the piece he held on to was not strong enough to support his full hanging weight and the main stalk was too far away for him to reach.
His left hand completely slipped off the dome and he could feel his right wouldn't be far behind. Realizing that he had to act now or never, he reached across his belt and grabbed his knife. Swinging his body once... twice... he heaved himself toward the stalk with as much force as he could muster just before the piece of mushroom he held onto broke off.
For one heart stopping moment he was suspended in air.
He slammed into the stalk hard enough to knock the wind out of him while jamming his knife into it with all of his strength.
The knife sliced through the mushroom's outer membrane easily. Too easily. At first Reuben thought it might not be enough to slow his decent. After plummeting several yards down he finally came to rest. He was still dangling nearly twenty feet off the ground however.
With a grunt of effort he reached for his pistol with his right hand and blasted a few uneven holes for his feet. Using his knife as a sort of climbing pick to steady himself and his pistol to make footholes in the smooth surface, Reuben was managing to climb down... very slowly.
He only had about ten feet left when a familiar roar tore through the sky. He knew that sound. Another storm was about to start. He had minutes, maybe less.
There's not enough time.
Getting stuck on top of a giant, slippery mushroom was not something they had covered in basic survival training. In fact, if any of his commanding officers saw him now they'd probably laugh at his foolish mistake.
But there was no way I could have stopped it from happening! I wonder how many cadets end up like this?
It was a question he wasn't really sure he wanted an answer to. He'd seen the ferocity of Gittern's storms. He'd seen how many mushrooms had populated the planet before compared to after. He didn't stand much of a chance and unlike the mushrooms he didn't just grow back.
He had to figure a way out of this. He did not want his parents to suffer the humiliation of receiving a transmission saying he died during basic training due to getting stuck on top of a three-story piece of fungus.
This wasn't going to be easy. Despite the rapid growth rate he could see happening all over the surface of the planet, no other shorter mushrooms had sprouted nearby. So jumping down was out of the question. The dome of the mushroom he was perched on was far too slicked to safely hang on to the edge to see if there were any grips on the underneath side.
Reuben had managed to hang on to his survival pack but unfortunately it contained no cord or climbing gear. Which mean he was going to have to improvise.
The only tools he had where his pistol and knife. Not much but better than nothing. Setting his pistol to the lowest energy setting, he aimed carefully at a portion of the dome a little bit away from where he was sitting. There was a sizzle followed by an unpleasant smell. Reuben inspected his work and saw that there was a hole large enough to stick his fist in... or be used as a foothold.
He briefly considered blasting a hole straight through the dome to the stalk. But he nixed the idea based on the size of the mushroom and how little damage the low power setting had caused. To cut through the dome would take almost the entire charge of his pistol's power cell.
Aiming again he fired a few more blasts, enough for him climb down the side of the dome and dangle off the edge. The decent was still dangerous, the inside contents of the mushroom were squishy and unstable. More than once he almost slipped right out.
Gripping the edge of the dome as firmly as he could, Reuben took three bracing breaths and then took the plunge. Panic tore through him as he realized that the piece he held on to was not strong enough to support his full hanging weight and the main stalk was too far away for him to reach.
His left hand completely slipped off the dome and he could feel his right wouldn't be far behind. Realizing that he had to act now or never, he reached across his belt and grabbed his knife. Swinging his body once... twice... he heaved himself toward the stalk with as much force as he could muster just before the piece of mushroom he held onto broke off.
For one heart stopping moment he was suspended in air.
He slammed into the stalk hard enough to knock the wind out of him while jamming his knife into it with all of his strength.
The knife sliced through the mushroom's outer membrane easily. Too easily. At first Reuben thought it might not be enough to slow his decent. After plummeting several yards down he finally came to rest. He was still dangling nearly twenty feet off the ground however.
With a grunt of effort he reached for his pistol with his right hand and blasted a few uneven holes for his feet. Using his knife as a sort of climbing pick to steady himself and his pistol to make footholes in the smooth surface, Reuben was managing to climb down... very slowly.
He only had about ten feet left when a familiar roar tore through the sky. He knew that sound. Another storm was about to start. He had minutes, maybe less.
There's not enough time.
Survival Day 7 (Adventure) - Reuben Calloway Saga 19
It was the middle of the night and Reuben had been watching the lightning for hours now. At first it had been an exciting spectacle. Now he really just wanted it to stop. He knew that surviving should be keeping him occupied but, quite frankly, he was bored. Bored and lonely. He hadn't realized it before but until this training regiment he had never gone this long without speaking to a single creature. He had always taken light pleasantries for granted. Now he would give just about anything to be able to say a simple "hi" to someone in passing.
The loneliness and boredom gnawed at Reuben, amplifying how featureless the cave walls were and how hungry he was. He was by no means starving. But intensive rationing did not allow for him to eat until his belly was full. If he had been in the thick of action he probably would not have even noticed. But sitting in this cave...
The rain abruptly stopped making the silence that followed almost eerie. Reuben knew he had no time to waste. Grabbing his pack he sprinted out of the cave and straight back to the large mushroom he had tried to start work on before. Fortunately, the rain had made the ground soft. The lack of snow also made digging much faster.
It didn't take long to find the roots. The mushroom was large enough that even the shallower growths were nearly as thick as Reuben's arm. He touched the root and held his finger there for a few seconds. No burning sensation, no allergic reaction... so far, good good.
He pulled his knife out and sliced off a chunk. Nothing oozed out, also a good sign. He bit off a tiny piece and held it in his mouth, his heart hammering in anticipation as he waited for any possible toxic side effects to take place. The root was bitter but not completely revolting. More importantly, it was food.
Aside from leaving a dry taste in his mouth, nothing seemed to be happening. His tongue still felt like its normal size, there was no itching or swelling on his body and, after checking his reflection on the blade of his knife, no strange spots. It may not be gourmet dining but food was food.
Reuben began to hastily slice off more root sections. Time seemed to be his greatest enemy on this planet. Not enough time to gather and far too much time doing nothing but twirl his thumbs in the cave.
A deep rumble shook the ground.
Vert! Not another storm!
Another rumble. It occurred to Reuben that it didn't sound the same as the storm he had heard before. This noise wasn't coming from the sky. It was almost as if...
The ground started to move. Yelping in surprise, Reuben managed to grab an armful of the roots before a huge dome shaped something began to push its way up right where he had been standing. Reuben watched in awe as a huge mushroom sprung from the soil and grew right in front of him at an incredible rate.
So that's how those things survive.
The soil beneath his boots began to shift again. Reuben shifted the weight of his bundle and started to sprint back to his cave but it was too late. This time the mushroom was faster than he was. It was all he could do to hang on for dear life as the newly formed fungus stretched itself toward the sky.
The loneliness and boredom gnawed at Reuben, amplifying how featureless the cave walls were and how hungry he was. He was by no means starving. But intensive rationing did not allow for him to eat until his belly was full. If he had been in the thick of action he probably would not have even noticed. But sitting in this cave...
The rain abruptly stopped making the silence that followed almost eerie. Reuben knew he had no time to waste. Grabbing his pack he sprinted out of the cave and straight back to the large mushroom he had tried to start work on before. Fortunately, the rain had made the ground soft. The lack of snow also made digging much faster.
It didn't take long to find the roots. The mushroom was large enough that even the shallower growths were nearly as thick as Reuben's arm. He touched the root and held his finger there for a few seconds. No burning sensation, no allergic reaction... so far, good good.
He pulled his knife out and sliced off a chunk. Nothing oozed out, also a good sign. He bit off a tiny piece and held it in his mouth, his heart hammering in anticipation as he waited for any possible toxic side effects to take place. The root was bitter but not completely revolting. More importantly, it was food.
Aside from leaving a dry taste in his mouth, nothing seemed to be happening. His tongue still felt like its normal size, there was no itching or swelling on his body and, after checking his reflection on the blade of his knife, no strange spots. It may not be gourmet dining but food was food.
Reuben began to hastily slice off more root sections. Time seemed to be his greatest enemy on this planet. Not enough time to gather and far too much time doing nothing but twirl his thumbs in the cave.
A deep rumble shook the ground.
Vert! Not another storm!
Another rumble. It occurred to Reuben that it didn't sound the same as the storm he had heard before. This noise wasn't coming from the sky. It was almost as if...
The ground started to move. Yelping in surprise, Reuben managed to grab an armful of the roots before a huge dome shaped something began to push its way up right where he had been standing. Reuben watched in awe as a huge mushroom sprung from the soil and grew right in front of him at an incredible rate.
So that's how those things survive.
The soil beneath his boots began to shift again. Reuben shifted the weight of his bundle and started to sprint back to his cave but it was too late. This time the mushroom was faster than he was. It was all he could do to hang on for dear life as the newly formed fungus stretched itself toward the sky.
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