Ashlyn Chronicles 1: 2287 A.D. by Glenn Van Dyke & Renee Van Dyke

Author:Glenn Van Dyke & Renee Van Dyke [Dyke, Glenn van & Dyke, Renee van]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Speculative Fiction, science fiction, Apocalypse, Post-Apocalyptic
ISBN: 9781530059324
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Published: 2016-02-14T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

As they arrived back in camp, Stratton spotted them and approached. “Admiral—Tomlinson found a cave. Its entrance is about three-quarters of the way up the east face. Solomon is waiting to take you up there.”

Steven tipped his head to Ashlyn. “Can you watch Phillip for me?”

“Of course.”

Steven quietly mouthed, “Thank you.”

Retrieving his pack, Steven followed Solomon up the mountain to Tomlinson, who waited for him.

“Admiral, I cleared the entrance. You’ll need these.” Tomlinson handed him a sheathed machete and flashlight. “We only have a few of these. Wish we had more.”

“Thanks. Solomon, get some help to clear the rest of the brush away from the entrance,” ordered Steven. Clipping the sheath to his belt, he pulled out the machete. “Ok, Tomlinson, lead the way.”

The entrance was narrow, barely more than a shoulder-width slit between the boulders. Once inside, they found that it was much wider and easily traversed. Not surprisingly, with each step down the tunnel’s descending, twisting turns, the temperature grew cooler. The walls and floor were damp and covered in patches of moss. Occasionally, Tomlinson would stop to chop away a root that blocked their path.

The two of them discussed the smoothness of the floor and walls, both agreeing that it was an artificial, constructed passageway. It was also apparent that the tunnel had not been used in hundreds, if not thousands of years.

They were forty meters in, when they noticed the sound of running water. Without need for discussion, the men moved faster, anxious to see what was ahead.

Within minutes, the tunnel opened out upon a large cavern. Very humanlike stairs, cut into the rock, descended to a sand beach with a gently flowing river about fifteen meters across. The water entered through a large fissure several meters above the cavern floor to their right, then exited through an even larger opening sixty-five meters to their left.

Kneeling on the smooth sand at the river’s edge, Steven cupped a handful of water. Raising it to his lips, he prepared to take a sip.

“Sir, you really shouldn’t. It could have bacteria in it,” warned Tomlinson. “It should be boiled, at the very least.”

“Squeak, squeak!”

Tomlinson looked at Steven with questioning eyes.

“I’m a guinea pig.”

Tomlinson chuckled, especially when Steven added, “Wait until you have kids. It tends to dumb-down your humor. However, you are right, Tomlinson. The thing is—we only have two days of rations. It’s only a matter of time.” Though he wasn’t sure how he knew, he felt sure the water was safe. Taking first one handful, then another, “It’s—great! Nice and cool. It looks like we’ve found a new home.”

The cavern was more than Steven could have hoped for; they had water and a defensible shelter out of the extreme heat.

Hours later, the crew safely moved inside the cavern; dusk crept into night. As Steven and the crew prepared to settle in for some sleep, an out of breath sentry approached. “Admiral, the lookouts have spotted two enemy crafts.” He then added, “It’s too bad the radios don’t work in here.

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