A Sigh Through the Veil of Being II

By Aleksi Karvonen

Continuing the series with three additional stories. Connected to Whispers Through the Veil of Being.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Jul 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9789528001836

Aleksi Karvonen

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Book preview

A Sigh Through the Veil of Being II

Contents & Author's Note

The Truthologists

A Late Autumn's Dream

An Inverted Observer

Copyright

Contents & Author's Note

The Truthologists

*

A Late Autumn's Dream

*

An Inverted Observer

*

Author's Note:

Static through the padded wall.

The Truthologists

The Truthologists

*

I was waiting in the prepping room with the team, getting ready for the mission. While I still had time, I decided to check my equipment one last time - all the necessary tools seemed to be hanging from the belt in order, so I looked up to see how others were doing. Perkins seemed nervous, having trouble hooking his safety harness properly. He fumbled with the clip and cursed, then looked at the captain, who had already finished with his own checkup and was now waiting for us to get ready.

Sir, I think this clip is broken. It doesn't click shut like it should.

Davish turned to face him, examined the clip and answered;

It's not broken, you're just fumbling with it.

Perkins tried hooking the clip again and succeeded this time. He looked up and gave a nervous smile.

It seems you were right. Sorry Sir, it's just, I know other teams have already been down there, but it's my first time and-

Davish interrupted him;

It's all right. I know what you mean. He then turned to Williams. Do you have everything ready?

Williams gave a few good tucks to his safety harness and answered;

Ready to go Sir. He said to Perkins; It'll go fine. There's nothing to worry about – as you said yourself, we're not the first ones down there.

Nelson joined in the conversation, saying with a smile;

Yeah, don't shit your pants Perkins. You got through the tests with highest scores, remember? You're the best we've got.

Perkins let out a short, nervous laugh. Davish didn't appear amused, but offered some words himself as well;

I know we're all nervous, and for some of you this is the first time down there, but try to keep chatter at minimum. Beyond the prepping room there's no shielding anymore, so make sure your helmets are properly sealed and radios in working order. He turned to me and added; The elevator is tight and all, but lacks the EM-field as you know, so you really should have helmets sealed tight by then. Once we hit the button there's no quick way up.

I looked around and noticed most of the team having gone through their checklists, now only waiting for the captain's word of approval. We didn't need to wait for long when he spoke again;

Right, everything ready? Nelson, check the drill – and Johnson, have you made sure the seismograph is all set?

I turned to my little cart where I had my things set up, ready for leave, then glanced at the monitor one last time, making sure it was projecting the correct waveform.

Yes Sir, ready to go.

Davish put on his helmet and turned at the door.

No point loitering then. Radio check in the elevator. Let's go.

*

We entered the small, shielded antechamber which was adjoined to the elevator. This was the last place with an EM-shielding, making it effectively the last chance to make sure our helmets and suits were properly in place - we all remembered how the first recon team had fared with faulty equipment. I didn't want to linger on the memory for long, so I quickly suppressed the thought, focusing on the mission ahead.

  As I looked around I noticed Perkins fiddling with his equipment and Nelson, despite his usually cheerful nature, also handling the various cables of the drill, even though it all had been checked multiple times already. Only Davish and Williams seemed stoic, uncaring of the situation, though I'm quite sure both of them were anxious as well – they just hid it better.

  Suddenly Davish's static voice echoed in my helmet, getting my attention;

All right team, the elevator is almost ready. We'll make a proper radio check inside, but I'm assuming you can hear me clear already. Remember, after the check we'll stick to the protocol and use the radio only when necessary. Nod if you've understood.

He looked at me. I nodded. As the captain turned to Nelson I heard Perkins' shaking voice through the radio;

Yes, uh, yes Sir. Then; Sorry Sir.

The elevator in front of us let out a sharp ding, indicating the decontamination and self-check procedures had been completed. A few seconds later the massive leaden steel doors began opening with a pneumatic hiss, revealing the white, circular chamber with a few tool cabinets fixed to the round wall. I breathed deep. No turning back now.

*

After the doors had fully opened the captain stepped in first. I went after him second, pushing my little cart in front of me. Behind me soon came Perkins and Nelson hauling their massive drill. Williams entered last, and when he was in Davish pushed the button. As the doors began slowly shutting in front of us he spoke once again through the radio;

All right, radio check now. Johnson.

I lifted my hand to the helmet and pressed on the send-button;

Check. Everything ok.

Captain nodded and continued;

Perkins.

Perkins answered, his voice faltering a little;

Check... check, yes, all right Sir.

Davish was about to speak again when I heard Nelson's voice;

Shit, fuck.

I turned to him. He'd accidentally dislodged one of the pipes from the drill while fiddling with it. After a few tries he got it back without much trouble, though still cursing himself. I couldn't help but reach for my radio and remark;

And here I thought we were professionals.

Nelson let out a nervous laugh. Captain looked at me with disapproving eyes, but said nothing. I heard Nelson through the radio again;

Everything all right Sir. The cooling tube just got loose – don't worry, no coolant got out as the drill hasn't been powered up yet.

I could