3,107 YEARS AGO

Alarms blared and lights flashed red and blue. Three figures stood before a large computer screen covering the wall.

“They’ve launched without us.” Yvlana stared in horror at the screen.

“What!” Lamir shouted, brushing her aside to see for himself.

“Planet destruction imminent,” Pilgrim said her voice was melancholy.

“What do we do Kaladin?” Yvlana asked him.

“There is only one thing we can do,” Kaladin said. “We use the core bomb. It’s the only way to keep them from reaching the core.”

“That is more likely to kill us than kill them.” Lamir frowned.

“What other choice do we have? They left us behind.” Kaladin shouted. “It’s that or die anyway.”

Lamir and Yvlana looked down at the floor, their faces, angry and annoyed at the situation. A look of betrayal fell on all their faces at being abandoned to their fate.

“Where is it?” Yvlana asked. “We can set the timer then escape into the bunkers.”

“There is a remote switch that we can set on a timer. It will give us the time we need to get to the bunker.” Kaladin explained. “Once set, we’ll have to sleep long enough for the effects of the bomb to wear off.”

“How long?” Lamir squinted. His eyes met his own, doubt, and suspicion betraying his question.

“My best guess at short notice… over a hundred years.” Kaladin averted his eyes.

“That’s nothing,” Yvlana said. “Isulia will be back to normal by then. Right?”

“I don’t think so.” Kaladin stated. “The Core bomb is designed to collapse any space beneath the earth, essentially killing all Thrak below ground. The surface will shift and change the entire landscape as we know it but… will destroy their tunnels and keep them from reaching the core.”

“Can the bunkers withstand the shift?” Lamir asked.

“The bunkers were designed to withstand the heat of a star, I’m pretty sure they can handle an earthquake.” Kal smiled. “There’s little time. We must go.” he started running in the direction of the bunker.

Lamir and Yvlana followed, trailing behind him in a dead sprint.

“Planet destruction imminent,” Pilgrim repeated.

Exiting the building, they emerged outside where the sky was turning a dim red, the clouds looking as if it were bleeding. The ground beneath them shook, causing them to lose their balance. Kaladin took hold of Yvlana, keeping her steady as Lamir used the building for support.

“One of their tunnels must have collapsed,” Yvlana said.

“There.” Kal pointed to the mountain. “Get to the bunker. We only have a few hours at best.”

Yvlana began running but stopped in her tracks at seeing Kaladin, unmoving. Lamir hesitated beside him.

“There is no remote switch on the bomb is there?” Lamir guessed, his previous suspicions coming to light.

“No. There isn’t.” Kal admitted. “You two need to get to that bunker. I’m staying behind to set it off.”

“What!” Yvlana stomped up to him, her eyes fiery. “I’m not leaving you. If you stay… I’m staying.”

“Yvlana! Please. For once in your life… listen to me. If my death will save you. Then it would have been worth it.” Kal tried frantically to explain.

“If you die… then I have nothing to live for.” she shot back. “I might as well stay with you.”

Kaladin looked to Lamir for support, her brother frowning at them both. “Yvlana…” he started.

“No. There is no time to argue. I’m staying. You go on ahead, Lamir.” Yvlana quickly hugged her brother. “Go!”

Lamir hesitated then his eyes went wide as Kaladin silently crept up on Yvlana, she turned too late to dodge the fist aimed directly at her face. Kal put the full weight of his body into the punch, knocking her out cold.

Her body fell limp and her eyes rolled back into her head. Lamir gently caught her as he stared in shock at him. Taking her from his arms, Kaladin laid her down.

“Thank you.” Lamir sighed. “I didn’t know how to get her to come with me.”

“I know,” Kal whispered. “Take her with you. Get her to safety.”

“I will,” Lamir promised, clasping his shoulder and hugging his friend.

“Take care of her,” he mumbled.

Pulling away from Lamir, Kal bent down and tenderly lifted her up, kissing her lightly on the cheek, “I love you.” he said softly.

Lamir took her and whipped her over his shoulder effortlessly. He hesitated a moment, looking back at Kaladin’s sad face. Without another word, Lamir nodded to him then turned and sprinted for the base of the mountain.

His gaze lingered on Yvlana’s limp form as her blonde hair flowed in the wind. Tearing his eyes away, Kal sprinted back inside. Rushing to the hanger where their ships were previously docked.

“Destruction of core imminent,” Pilgrim reported once again. “The Thrak has nearly reached the core and are beginning the process of draining the planet’s lifeforce.”

“Is there a speeder or something I can use to fly to the northwest bunker?” Kal asked the A.I.

“I am sorry. There is not. All equipment is either in use or not in this facility.” Pilgrim apologized mechanically. “Would you like to use the speed tubes to the northwest bunker instead?”

“The sub tunnels,” Kal whispered. “Of course!” he shouted. “Yes. Prepare a shuttle for me now.”

Without waiting for a response, Kal sprinted off again and came skidding to a stop at the elevator lifts. Pounding on the panel fiercely, Kal waited impatiently for the lift to reach him. Tapping his feet in anticipation, he started to pace as the lift dinged. The elevator door opened swiftly and he rushed inside and slammed his fist on the lowest floor.

Instantly the elevator doors shut and the lift plummeted into the earth. It fell so fast, it felt like he was free-falling, his gut tightening from the feeling.

A sharp squeal screeched through the elevator as another rumble came, shaking the entire elevator shaft and him in it. “Another tremor.” he thought. “I’m running out of time.”

The bell dinged and a blue light lit over his head as the doors slid open. Sprinting past them, Kal veerd to his right then straight down a narrow tunnel.

Automatic doors opened in front of him as Pilgrim activated the doors and cleared his path.

“Your next left,” she instructed.

Another door slid open and Kaladin skidded to a halt, grabbing the edge of the door and swinging inside.

A long angular tube opened up as he entered.

“Your shuttle pod,” Pilgrim announced. “Estimated travel time… three minutes.”

“How long do I have?” Kal asked as he jumped into the pod.

“By my calculations, you have fifty-three minutes before the Thrak drain the core,” Pilgrim responded.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Excellent,” he whispered. “I’ve still got time.”

“Please remain seated for the duration of travel.” Pilgrim’s voice chimed. “Doors closing.”

The pod door closed with a hiss and blue lights lit up the small space. Only one person at a time could take these pods to and from each location. They were designed to minimize travel time and energy from flights to and from bases. This was the first of its kind. A beta for of the vast tunnels they had planned before the Thrak invaded Isulia. Only one had been built in the time they had on this colony.

All communications had been lost with the other colonies and their homeworld for nearly a month. When the Thrak arrived they all knew why. Isulia was meant to be a mining project to harvest Frostrium Steel as the planet was filled with pockets of the extremely rare metal but it only formed deep underground. Most if not all were near the planet's core which made it difficult with the equipment they had on hand. All their plans and goals were thrown out the window once the aliens had arrived once again.

The Thrak were relentless and constant. It never ended even when they thought to be defeated and gone, they would always come back somehow. How they arrived on a distant colony, only God knew but they were here and Kaladin was determined to save the planet before it was too late and most of all, protect Yvlana.

An intense force slammed against him as the pod shot like a bullet through the tunnel that led to the northwest bunker. The g-force was nearly overwhelming but his seat cushioned his body and the gel absorbed most of the impact, keeping him conscious and awake. He would have enjoyed the experience if it wasn’t such a dire circumstance.

Three minutes later the pod slowed then jolted to a stop. The door hissed again as it opened and Kaladin stumbled out before he fully recovered from the g-force. Kal balanced himself for a moment after almost falling flat on his face, taking deep breaths then continuing at a slower pace.

After ascending the elevator, Kal exited the building and made his way toward the bunker outside. The ground was shaking at a steady pace now, and the sky was turning black with streaks of red as if the planet were bleeding or groaning in pain.

Planets never truly lived, but Kal knew it was alive in a different way. The core of each planet gave the rest of it life. As if a beating heart, each planet contained a core at which produced the possibility for any lifeform to live.

It was possible planets could feel pain, Kal didn’t rule it out, but Isulia would die if he did nothing. This way, the bomb might save everyone and Isulia.

Entering a cave, Kaladin stepped into another small elevator lift that led deeper into the darkness. The cold stone shook and threatened to crack from the strain of the planet. Soon the Thrak would feast on the core and give them enormous power and abilities. Unwilling to let that happen, Kal would lay down his life to do so.

After activating the bomb, it would give him only minutes to escape into the bunker where he might live. If not, he would die knowing he saved Yvlana.

The lift settled and Kal bust into a sprint, running down the cold wet stone, his feet nearly slipping once but he expertly kept his balance and continued. Reaching his destination, Kaladin placed his palm on a small blue panel nearly entombed by the rocky cave.

It opened with a crack and bits of stone fell from the ceiling. Ducking into the narrow opening, Kal half crawled, half walked deeper into the room. It wasn’t made to enter from this direction, this was the maintenance shaft but it cut the time in half rather than going through the bunker itself.

Reaching the large globe-shaped casing, the bomb sat safely, suspended in the air and encased in nano gel protecting it from harm. Pushing his arm through the gel it deactivated after scanning his DNA.

“Welcome,” Pilgrim said. “I am glad you made it, Kaladin. Please stand by.”

Kal waited impatiently, the walls and wires around him making him feel claustrophobic. He had little room to maneuver but squeezed through more wires and metal beams to situate himself to the entrance of the bunker. He would have to crawl through another thirty feet of narrow paths but it was the quickest way to the bunker after activating it.

“Manual override activated. Please remove safety glass.” Pilgrim instructed.

Kal reached up and flipped the glass upward, revealing the small thumbprint button. Before he could activate the timer, Kaladin was flung back and slammed his head against the metal wall, nearly knocking him unconscious. His eyes went blurry and he shook his head to clear his vision.

To his left, the exit was bent inward, blocking his path to the bunker. Slamming his fist against the wall, he cursed loudly, frustrated by his bad luck. He would have to go out the way he came, then go around through the cave again before reaching the bunker doors.

“Pilgrim,” Kal shouted.

“How can I help you?” Pilgrim asked politely even with the walls buckling and the earth shaking.

“Have the bunker doors opened for me the moment I activate the bomb,” Kal instructed. “I won’t have much time but once I get inside. Close them immediately after me.”

“Confirmed,” Pilgrim said.

Kaladin pushed himself back up and reached for the button. Placing his thumb on the switch, it beeped and lights flashed red. The floor beneath him opened up, only glass kept him from falling into the dark abyss. The bomb beeped again then was released down the shaft, making its way to the core of the planet where it would disrupt the Thrak and shift the planet's plating.

With a fuzzy head, Kaladin quickly scrambled back the way he came, moving as fast as he could manage in such a tight space. It felt like an eternity before he exited the door and fell to the cave floor.

Picking himself up, Kaladin sprinted deeper into the cave, hoping he would make it in time. Glowing blue lights reached his eyes as he drew nearer. It flashed on and off, indicating a standby mode.

Kal felt the ground beneath him as he was nearly there, the rock turned to metal and it echoed through the cave. His pounding feet reverberated through the halls. Ten feet from the door, Kaladin felt the ground beneath him slide out from under him. The metal shifted and slid into the rock like butter, crunching rock like it was nothing. Mid-air, Kaladin put his arm out to catch himself then looked up as a large boulder came crashing down.

The instant his hand reached the ground, he shoved himself with all his might to the side, narrowly dodging the rock above him. It cracked and bits of rock shattered round him, peppering him with cuts.

Before he could react, another boulder from the roof caught his leg before he had time to move.

“Ah!” he yelled as his left leg was crushed beneath the weight.

Unable to catch a break more rocks shifted and started falling on him, burying him beneath the stone. He cursed under his breath as he brought his arms up to protect his face.

A sharp pain shot through his leg and arms and he struggled to keep calm. A momentary pause gave him the opportunity to shove the smaller debris off of him as he coughed from the dust.

To his horror, he looked down at his pinned leg, then to the door. Placing both hands on the rock, Kaladin heaved with all his might but the stone didn’t budge.

“So close.” he thought. “So close.”

Sighing in defeat, Kaladin laid back and waited for the inevitable. The ceiling above, cracking and crumbling. “At least the bomb will stop the Thrak.” he thought. “Goodbye, Yvlana.”

A strange sucking noise, followed by a blast of wind and light exploded next to him. A vortex of black and white light spun before him, intense brightness nearly blinding him. An instant later a large beast flew through the black hole then disappeared as quickly as it formed.

Eyes wide, face stunned, Kaladin gazed up at a creature so large, it touched the roof, its scally body moving smoothly. It stared down at him with bright red eyes that instantly turned blue. A dozen large eggs were attached to its stomach and it knelt down awkwardly trying to avoid crushing them in the small space.

It took a moment to realize what it was, “A Vog.” Kal breathed.

He had never heard of them on any other planet other than Tepra, their homeworld. Vog were secluded and peaceful creatures, their world untouched by the Thrak, yet this one stood over him on Isulia. Mouth wide, still in shock, he muttered but stopped as it looked to his pinned leg.

It growled then turned back to him, pointing a large claw at him. Kaladin struggled to get away but it was in vain, he yelled in pain as his leg twisted. The enormous Vog hesitated after seeing his reaction but continued a moment later, pressing his claw to his chest.

An explosion of pain, anger, frustration, fear, and joy burst into his mind, emotions, and thoughts flooded through his brain like a continuous river of knowledge. His vision blurred and his mind went blank then another surge of images and thoughts shot through his body like fire. Unable to see or understand it all, Kaladin tensed his body in an attempt to ward off the attack. It felt like an eternity but it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds as Kaladin regained his vision and stared in wonder at the Vog before him.

“I am Felkuru.” a voice inside his head spoke. “Do not be afraid Emarine. I have been sent here to help you.”

“Wh-what?” Kal said aloud, unsure how he was hearing voices in his head and feelings that weren't his own.

“Your bomb will detonate soon.” the creature said with a low growl. “We must get inside before it is too late.”

Kaladin felt the weight of the massive boulder lift from his crushed leg and he let out a yelp of pain but ignored it and began to sit up. Eager to get inside, Kal dragged himself through the pentagon-shaped door, and inside the bunker. The Vog closely followed him, as the door closed behind them.

“Alien lifeform detected,” Pilgrim warned.

A moment later, large energy blasters ejected from the walls and pointed at the Vog.

“Are you in danger, Kaladin?” Pilgrim asked, waiting for his go-ahead to attack.

“N-no.” Kal groaned. “He saved me.”

“Excellent.” Pilgrim chimed. “The bomb will detonate in thirty seconds. Please secure yourself in the nano gel.”

A large panel slid from the wall and revealed the armor station. The Vog watched as Kaladin crawled toward the panel then picked him up gently. The pain in his legs screamed for relief but Kal bit his tongue, feeling the Vog’s intentions.

Tenderly, the Vog placed him in the gel, which engulfed him, and immediately began healing his leg and boosting his strength. The gel not only healed, but it was also the perfect place to be when the bomb went off.

“T-minus twenty seconds,” Pilgrim reported.

“Emarine.” the Vog named Felkuru said. “We have much to talk of when this is over.”

“Fifteen seconds.”

“How did you get here?” Kal couldn’t help but ask.

“I was sent here from my homeworld,” Fel responded.

“What do you mean?” Kal asked.

“Ten seconds.”

“After,” Fel replied. “We will have time after.”

Kaladin sighed, his body feeling better already as he sat in the cool gel. He was still alive and now this alien had appeared before him. A million questions ran through his mind but he momentarily forgot them all as he waited for the explosion that would shake the world.

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

“Zero,” Pilgrim said casually as Isulia shook viciously.