Rog closed his eyes as the vortex pulled Bravo-Four-Zero into its center. The physical sensation of artificial gravity and unexpected g-forces brought back a flood of memories both good and bad.Rog and his younger brother had spent many hours blasting through the canyons just south of their father's ranch. Skirting the canyons in their hopper at high speed was not without danger and required absolute trust from your co-pilot. Those times, Rog often thought, brought him and his younger brother closer together than anything else they had done.
"Rog, which gate is ours? asked Chaz. Chaz was five years younger than Rog and had always tried to live up to Rog's expectations and earn his respect. The age gap eliminated any sort of sibling rivalry and instead created more of a mentor relationship between the brothers.
"Look for gate nine. That's ours." said Rog.
“Are you nervous Rog?”
“That feeling in your gut Chaz, that’s excitement. This is going to be no different than a ride through the canyons on our hopper. Besides, we always talked about what space travel would be like. This is our chance.”
“Hey, Rog, there it is, our gate.”
“Wait here Chaz.” Rog walked over to the Hynerian with the data slate. What should have been a rather short conversation became quite animated. Chaz couldn’t hear what was being said, but he had seen his brother’s indignation on many occasions. There seemed to be a problem. Chaz was more amused than concerned and couldn’t wait to hear how Rog had handled the apparent dispute.
“Everything okay Rog,” said Chaz, looking a little more worried now that he could take the measure of Rog’s demeanor.
“Seems they only have one of us listed on the flight manifest. You’ve got a ticket to ride brother,” lied Rog, trying to smile as if everything would be okay.
Chaz stood silent, a thousand thoughts running through his head, trying to comprehend what he had just heard. “Well, you are going to work that out aren’t you. I mean, we were promised we would be on the same vessel.”
Rog looked forlorn, a look Chaz had never seen before. “I’m afraid this is one fight I can’t win. But you’ve got a seat and that is one mighty fine ship. Now I don’t want to hear no back talk. You know I can take care of myself. I know where you are and once I find my passage I will track you down like a wayward pampus,” said Rog with a forced grin.
Rog reached out to tussle Chaz’s hair in part to break the mood and in part to hide the look of falsehood he was sure Chaz would pick up on. Once separated, the chances of a reunion were about nil and Rog knew it.
“Hey Rog,” teased Yul, “closing your eyes ain’t gonna make this ride any easier.”
“Yeah, um, about that . . .”
Before Rog could finish, their little vessel began to shake violently. No one was smiling or teasing now.
Categories: Story, Rog, Chaz, Yul.
39 comments:
Imagine that, saying goodbye to a loved one and not knowing whether you will ever see them again. I can't imagine what that must be like.
The simple less-is-more thing I was talking about is all over this chapter, in what is really nothing more than a few paragraphs, you have evoked a great impression of the relationship between these two brothers.
This is a wonderful chapter, very touching, emotionally evocative. Brilliant!
Oh, and the fractal is inspired, fantastic! :-)
Hey Sunshine. This is another chapter inspired by the image. At first I thought I would use it to talk about Silus some more, but when I banked the camera I got the sense of looking out the front windshield of a plane flying through the canyons. At that point I knew I wanted it to be Rog back home, which would help explain where he got some of his piloting skills and also allow me to talk about one of his brothers, who was very briefly mentioned in a previous chapter while touching upon a subject we've never touched, which is what happen during evacuations of the planet.
As always, thanks very, very much for your kind words and wonderful encouragement. I am always so delighted to read your comments. :-)
Do you think you might revisit in more detail that time of "what happen during evacuations of the planet"? Imagine they would be some emotionally taxing chapters to write, but I also think you would do a beautiful job of it. Have a feeling the answer is no though, but that you might hint at the effects and thoughts centered around these goodbyes.
Hope you are having a lovely day, my sweet - wish me a good night :-D
Sweet dreams when you get that far sweetest of sweet ones.
Actually, I have long thought of writing bits and pieces of the evacuation, namely since one of the larger unanswered questions in this story is what ever happened to Zeke? We know Kyra's grandmother passed away, which is when and why she got the brooch, but we have yet to hear about the last time Kyra and Zeke saw each other.
I think at some point, especially with Von in the story now, that we have to visit that conversation between Zeke and Von and probably discover why Zeke is not on Bravo-Four-Zero and Kyra is.
Lots of options, including that Zeke passed away of old age prior to the great events on Hyneria, although I'm not leaning that way.
As always, thanks so very much for your interest in the story. As you know, I do love to talk about it and what may or may not happen.
Sweet dreams my dear. :-)
Now, another option that I've been playing around with is having this crew meet up with another Hynerian vessel.
If that were to happen, then perhaps Zeke could be on that vessel and we could get to know him in "real time."
Not sure I really want to do that, but it is an option.
You did hint at it a few months back, that you would want/like to do a chapter about that day at some point, wasn't sure if you were still thinking of doing so - now that I know you are, I cannot help but anticipate what will surely be a great chapter.
Not sure why I had not considered Zeke's fate so directly, sad thought perhaps, but I've a feeling you could introduce an interesting turn of events that would account for why he stayed behind and sent Von in his stead - me and my 'feelings', stop me anytime :-D Time for bed! xo
Interesting option - to offer my opinion, I like that the story operates in two different timeframes - that the two are seperate yet always connected and the fact that Zeke always remains in times gone past gives him an almost ethereal quality that does him or the story no harm.
ooh, or Zeke could have been on that vessel (the meeting up is a great idea) but problems that they encountered along the way meant Zeke was lost somehow, whether he offered up his own life to save the other crew members or...one of those if only situations, where Kyra perhaps knows upon meeting up with this vessel that Zeke is onboard only to be disappointed..
:-)
I've operated under the thought that there were not enough vessels to evac the whole planet. Zeke, being quite old, decided not to occupy a place himself but was able to satisfy his need to protect Kyra by calling in the debt Von owed him.
That said, I could see the government wanted someone of Zeke's stature to help quell the panic that surely arose in the last days.
Now, that doesn't mean that at the very last hour a ship didn't swooped down and drag him off the planet.
So many delicious options. I see a whole other story here. :-D
You know, I'm not sure what is more fun--writing the story or commenting about what happened or could happen in the story. Thanks for being such a good sport. Kyra and Zeke thank you too and command you to go to bed and get some rest. :-)
Best stories are like that, like life, at any point things could have spiralled off into a completely different direction which in turn would lead to completely different turns of event. You have a countless other stories within this one, in other words, you could always write, if not this one, another. Exciting! :-)
Evening, sweet heart, missed you whilst I was gone :-D
I agree. So much to still do with these characters. With each chapter, no matter how short, I feel like I learn something new about this crew. Rog, of late, ever since the iso ward actually, has really become a very interesting character in my mind. I hope to do the same for Yul and Emy and all the rest in time.
Of course, I do miss Kyra and I'm very excited she has awakened. :-)
:-)
Dream sweet when you get that far, xo
Just a little more Tristan Prettyman and I'm on my way. :-)
I think I'm feeling a little dizzy looking at this image, because it looks too real... so I'll come back when I've had some sleep.
That's okay Chicky. I've got a place to lay your head right over here. :-D
Shake rattle and roll! This is one amazing ride.
hmmm don't know which is better, the story itself or conversation about the story between you and Thelma :0)
excellent chapter my luv, and gorgeous pic!
omg that pic, breathtaking!
Keshi.
Morning sweet stuff, hope you have a beautiful Friday, x
Jenni, you make me smile. :-) Hang tight, 'cause I have no idea where this ride is gonna take us. :-D
Keshi, how I would love to see you utter that comment in person. Somehow I think it would be wonderfully dramatic. :-)
Evening Sunshine. Been another busy day. On my way to pick up C in a few hours. Perhaps he will grace his blog with some more artwork this weekend. Sweet dreams when you get that far sweetest of sweet ones. :-)
Thanks Trace. :-)
Now this puts me in the PULL UP, Pull UP!!! frame of mind. Great thought with putting it in this angle. I feel Zeke is like me, as to being in times gone past, cause the future is less time than the past and we are more comfortable there. That's what happens with us older folks.
DJB, I love that Pull Up, Pull Up bit. I could rewrite this whole chapter around that one phrase. You know, I think you and Rog would get along just fine over a few brews late into the evening. Good to see you again DJB. Hope and trust you are well.
great photos (your modifications?) and I'm intrigued by your writing enough to bookmark and hope to find time to return for more :)
Candoor, these images are not photographs but digital creations using a number of different packages. This image and the one below it were created with Terragen.
Thanks for the kind words on the images and the story and I'd love to have you come back and read a bit. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again. :-)
Nice image. This is like looking out of the window of a plane which is making a turn at an angle. AKA looking at things from a different perspective. Great work!
Thanks Saffy. You picked up on my thoughts exactly for the image and the inspiration for the chapter. As always, thanks for your kind words sweetie. :-)
Happy Saturday Morning hon. I hope your day is bright sunshine and sweet mild temperatures.
Your artwork is getting overwhelmingly realistic. I had to go full-screen with this one. The sensation of flying is captured perfectly. I wonder, have you seen places like this in your lifetime.
That big ol' canyon is something I've only seen in tv. I would guess you have because you seem to be able to replicate that awe.
Alas, I have lost he storyline once again. (blush) I promise, I'll buy the book when you publish it. :)
Big happy Saturday hugs to you.
Happy Saturday to you too sweet sexy woman of my blogging world. Come with me and I'll take you away from all that closet cleaning. And bring your boots. I definately need the boots this morning. :-D
I've seen sights similar to the pic here but never anything exactly like this one. I do appreciate your kind words dear.
No worries about the story. I'll let you know when the book comes out. :-D
Have a great Saturday Aggie.
**Keshi, how I would love to see you utter that comment in person. Somehow I think it would be wonderfully dramatic
lol yeah :)
Keshi.
:-)
Tree- Your stories and images are a world in themselves, but they outline and amplify universal human emotions.
Your work is so engaging. I can imagine that if I were stuck somewhere, unable to get back to the world, this blog could sustain me indefinitely.
I hope Rog and his brother Chaz are re-united someday.
David, your comments are so very kind and much appreciated. The story has been a labor of love for me and more fun than I ever imagined. Always good to have you drop by and say hello my friend.
I think Rog would very much like the same thing.
These angled images are breathtaking...almost dizzying. Really nice work!
Oliviah, I just had a ton of fun creating these and wondering what it much have been like for Rog and Chaz to be zooming through these canyons on Hyneria.
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