Miner Discovery

by Ian Alexio

  Fortunately, because of my side hustle, it wasn't long before I got on friendly terms with the Wroughtwilers. Wouldn't you know it? Everyone has their vice, their drug of choice. Allowing me to get to know each of the Wroughtwilers personally. People typically first come in contact with me for some marijuana after a rough week but with the Wroughts, I was first brought into the crew when Roda, the group's mechanic asked me about some strong pain killers. She was having chronic pain from the rigors of the job. I told her I had some Oxy and Vicodin. After I had got Roda the meds she wanted, she said that all of her friends call her Rod, (She pronounced it Road in a thick Latin American accent.) It wasn't long after till the rest of the crew members began making requests.

  The team's chemist, whom everyone calls Fuge, didn't say much. It was as if he wanted me to think there was some air of mystery about him. The more I got to know him, the more he became a regular ole chatty Cathy, Always ready to give a lecture if anyone asked him about his work or anything about his area of expertize. Fuge didn't ask me for much, but when he did, it was always more unusual requests. So uncommon sometimes, I couldn't always get what he wanted; still he was never discouraged, he would just ask me for something similar or something completely different. Often I feel as if he is just testing me. His request sometimes came with a detailed description that sounded straight out of an encyclopedia. I have to say; he is pretty crafty when it comes to mixing and separating different chemicals. I never knew his plans with whatever I was able to supply him with. The only drugs that I ever found him to use recreationally were of the nootropic variety. He was always happy with the Ritalin or Modafinil that I could hook him up with.

  The leader of the Wroughtwilers was an inspiration to all Space Miners. His name was Buchanon. But everyone calls him Bute. He is tall, handsome and muscular, a real team captain type with a chiseled jawline and short wavy hair. He was the unofficial manager of the group. He handles the group's business dealings and PR. He was a self-proclaimed explosives and demolitions aficionado. Thou Fuge makes the bombs; Bute is usually the one to set them off. He puts on a front to be this preppy straight edge boy scout, but I wasn't convinced. I could tell there was a rebellious side to him. He had this nonchalant attitude, but his eyes always showed that he loved his job. Bute was pretty strait-laced. It was hard to find what he was into. He may try to present himself as the space-miner poster child, but eventually, I found his Achilles heel, he has a pension for fine cigars from the Judecca system. The more I got to know him I even found him to be a good drinking buddy, and he only ever drinks with his closest of friends, which apparently I was now one.

  Then there was Andrena. Andrena was in charge of navigation and structural analysis. She was the underground guide of the group. She looked to be the leader's physical equal but despite her masculine frame she has a fairly feminine face for someone who wears no more makeup than anyone else here normally would. I better be careful around her. She is always flirting with me, calling me names like Peach or even worse sweet cheeks Peete. Never taking the hint that i'm not interested. She can be so annoying and immature at times, but on the job, she is 100 percent serious, an overprotective mother of the group. Off the job is a different story. She is like the Jekyll and Hyde of miner and frat boy party animal. Usually, when she comes to me with requests, it's for hallucinogens like E or shrooms, Her requests are always accompanied with an invitation to party with her. Maybe I'll take her up on her offer one day; It might land me a job. Working with the Wroughtwilers was my ticket out of QSM. Even if I can't get a mining gig with them, dealing full time to a bunch of rock stars could be a good career move. I would be the Wroughtwiler's official roadie. As for now, I was a part of their inner circle. I still don't have a mining job with them per se, but we do hang out a lot when we were all off duty, I'm getting my foot in that door.

  Holo-pad Journal Entry 05

  Think-Type initiated.

  Before long I was a natural part of the Wroughtwiler's gang. I was seen with them so much, most people considered me an unofficial fifth member. Yeah, I still have my mining gig with QSM, so I can't hang with them all the time, but still, whenever I am available I'm always more than welcome to bask in their presence. They're always willing to share some of their mining wisdom with me, which was beyond fantastic. My dig quota at QSM rose significantly, thanks to their help. I was even able to make a pretty penny off of a mound of Dimadox I found. The Wroughtwilers seemed genuinely impressed by my find. They told me that I have potential.

  At the mess hall, the gang and I were enjoying a meal after a hard day's dig. We were discussing the capabilities of the Crucible mechs and what they accomplished that day, wouldn't you know it, as amazing as their RocknRolls are, the Wroughtwilers still complained that if they had additional excavation mechs added to their already impressive arsenal, they could bring in a much bigger haul per dig. Half jokingly I said, yeah, and more teammates to pilot them. Bute looked at me with hopeful eyes. You know what, you're right, I think with some apprenticeship, and some sort of a payment plan for your own RocknRoll, Sure, You would make a fine addition to the team. I just smiled at the prospect. Right, guys? Bute asked the crew.

  I don't see why not, said Rod,

  I like it. It'd be nice to have a fresh face on the team, I'm getting tired of looking at all these other ugly mugs, Andrena said grinning in my direction.

  Sure, as long as you can keep supplying the goods. Fuge stated in a mild way that hid if he was serious or not. Bute patted me on the back a little harder than I expected him to.

  Of course, this is not official, but I think it's possible sometime soon.

  Yeah, so don't go quitting your day job yet kid. You should wait till you have your own RocknRoll first. Roda Blurted.

  We all laughed a little, followed by everyone quietly but joyfully digging into their meals. After a time. The gang started up again about their famed big haul stories. Epic tales that I could never get enough of. We were having such a good time in each other's company that we didn't notice Eeone slink into the joint. I was the first to notice him hunched far in the corner, but I ignored him and turned my attention back to the group. I really don't like looking at him while I eat. When we were about to leave, one of my future teammates spotted him.

  Whoa, would you look at that? Fuge nudged at Andrena, who was distracted by a couple of women walking by. What! She said annoyed. Look, sitting over in the corner. Fuge pointed at Eeone as if the freak show came to town. I don't wanna look at him. Andrena scowled as she averted her gaze from the lowly miner. Why's he gotta eat at this dining facility, there really ought to be higher standards for such a fine establishment as this? Andrena says throwing her bulky arm around Bute's shoulders, I already have a hard time stomaching you guys while I eat. Bute shrugged her arm off. What the hell is that shit he's eating? Bute frowned as he witnessed Eeone shovel some kind of mush in his mouth with his bare fingers. You don't want to know; I said as I pushed my plate aside.

  Ah, I do. Fuge said anxiously.

  You know what that stuff is? Roda questioned.

  How the hell do you know what he's eating, Peach, he wine and dine ya? Andrena teased.

  Grow up Andrena, I've seen him preparing that gunk before. It was sickening.

  So what is it? Roda asked.

  Yeah, what does a creature like that eat? Fuge inquired.

  You gotta tell us! Bute said.

  Well, I'm not sure what that paste is exactly, but I did see him mix it with some mud from off the ground.

  Eghh! Get outta of here.

  No way.

  For real?

  The Wroughtwilers said in disbelief.

  Yeah, no joke. He even mixes it with bugs. I've seen that too.

  What? Nah, you're just making fun.

  Nah! even he wouldn't do that, would he?

  Yeah, look, he's mixing something in right now. Roda interrupted.

  The gang turned to see Eeone open a small container that had what appeared to be
bug parts, which he sprinkled onto his paste concoction.

  The Wroughtwilers jeered loudly as Eeone continued to lick up his handcrafted paste.

  This put the group in a frenzy. When the Wroughts found something amusing, their laughter was heard by all. I don't believe it, that guy's a mud licker. Fuge bellowed.

  He's a Shit sucker. Bute sneered.

  We're not worthy enough to eat at his table. Bute smiled.

  We must not be good enough for his gourmet cuisine. Fuge laughed.

  Oh, Yeah! He's much too good for any of us. Roda remarked

  Yeah, that's why he's alone. Andrena replied, sparking an uncontrollable laughter among us.

  I laughed with my new friends. I didn't mean to send the gang into such an uproar at Eeone's expense, but it was funny. We all had a ball coming up with what we thought were clever insults.

  I've heard the Wroughtwilers make fun of Eeone before, but this time, it got out of hand. Usually, they just say a few mean spirited remarks out of earshot, and then go about their day, but this time they intentionally spoke loud enough for him to hear. The Wroughtwiler's jokes grew louder, and their infectious laughter incited the others in the mess hall. Soon practically the whole lounge was in on the harsh joking. Things escalated to the guys throwing small scraps of food at Eeone. I was curious to see how Eeone would react. This guy is an enigma. I had no idea what his personality was like. This was a good chance to get a sense of what he was really about. Technically, I didn't do anything to Eeone, except maybe egging the others on. Yet Eeone didn't pay us any attention. It was strange. It wasn't even like he was trying to ignore us; it was more as if he was too busy to pay us any mind. He was locked in deep thought about something. This left me puzzled, and the others confused. They sought no reason to continue picking on him that day. That's enough guys, let's let him eat his shit in peace. Bute corralled the rest of the Wroughts as he grew bored with this game. Eeone didn't even try to retaliate. Eeone was such an easy target. When the Wroughts and I were leaving the dining hall, our antagonizing had taken its toll. Others had begun picking on the poor bastard. Right before I walked out of the room, I saw someone pretend to accidentally knock over Eeone's meal tray. That paste crap splattered all over the ground, and the whole room was laughing. The last thing I saw before leaving the mess hall was Eeone scooping up the spattered paste and continued eating.

  Holo-pad Journal Entry 06

  Think-Type initiated.

  In time I started helping out when I could on the Wroughtwiler's digs. As I spent more time with them, It was apparent that they enjoyed mocking Eeone. They considered it playful banter with a fellow miner and honestly everyone made fun of him, at least to some degree. It was just something we all did, some harmless fun. Eeone is a prime candidate for our teasing because he never seems to mind. He never retaliates, as if our jokes don't really bother him. No harm, no foul right. Eventually, we stopped seeing Eeone around as much. At first, we all paid it no mind, but once when some others were discussing his absence the Wroughts grew curious. They must have missed their favorite little joke. Times were less comical without him around. One day, The Wroughtwilers all agreed to quit work early. I, had no objections, I was working overtime anyway working with them. Instead of the usual hang out in the mess hall or kickbacks at the Wroughtwiler's living quarters. The leader thought it would be a good deed to see what Eeone was up to, to make sure he's okay. I thought that would be a great idea. If he was hurt by our teasing we could apologize and clear the air, we were only having a bit of fun. We looked at his usual stomping grounds, then asked people who usually worked near him. We found nothing. We then asked the town gatekeepers if they have seen his RocknRoll. The Canary Mech wouldn't have been hard to notice. Nobody has piloted one of those mechs since the early days of space mining. We found our lead. We got a report of his Canary seen heading out towards the carbon caves. But there's nothing out there but coal. Nobody digs in the carbon caves. That would be career suicide. Coal wouldn't even earn back what you paid for the trip out here. What could he be thinking, is he trying to piss away his resources? Bute questioned.

  The Wroughtwiler crew and I took a RocknRoll Hauler out to the coal caves. It was quite a way out. We took a series of subterranean tunnels until we arrived at the border of the mapped dig sites. Land past this point was uncharted. The first dig site out here was known as the coal caves because early explorers found nothing but miles of coal. Until now, there had been no interest in further exploring this region. Over there. Said Andrena, As she spotted a single set of tracks that went deeper into the lightless tunnel. The first explorers on this rock used Excavator mechs to explore this area. Those tracks don't look like excavator tracks. Maybe it's Eeone's Mech. Roda observed. We ventured behind Eeone's tracks. The trail looked practically undisturbed by humans. We were forging a path to new territories. I always wanted to adventure out to the unexplorables, but I never had the equipment or the knowhow. Exploring unmapped areas is ill-advised without a RocknRoll. For some time we passed through the darkness, the lights from the Mech Hauler revealed nothing more than the same sedimentary rocks all around us. We all wanted to head back to the living quarters, but the leader was determined to see where the tracks lead. We felt our search nearing an end when we started to see tiny glittering pebbles embedded in the rock walls. The sparkling dust increased as we went on. The tunnel opened up to a wide cavern that housed larger crystalline stones. I looked up and saw twinkling stars but then realized that we couldn't be near the surface, the tunnel we were in only trailed downward. It had to be crystals reflecting the light we brought into the cavern.

  Our transport slowed to a stop, parking in a clearing facing Eeone's lone Canary RocknRoll. Eeone was a few feet away from his mech, examining a crystal he had in his hand. When our transport's lights lit up the area, he hardly reacted to us until we piled out of the Mech hauler. But even then he just lifted his head to see who was approaching. He looked at us for a moment and went back to his work once he saw who we were.

  Hey Buddy, whatcha doing here? What is all this? Bute interrogated. Eeone ignored him but Bute was momentarily distracted by the beauty the cavern presented. The sight was a lot to take in; I saw the others milling about inspecting the source of the twinkling. Eeone! What is all this?

  It is "my" new dig site. Now leave! Eeone grumbled.

  Still, in awe, Bute leaned over to Fuge and whispered out the side of his mouth. What is all this, is it worth anything?

  The chemist plucked a small crystal from the ground and squinted his eyes at it. He shook his head. Nope. It's just compacted carbon, more commonly known as diamond. Fuge explained as he lightly kicked at one of the bowling ball sized crystals at his feet. It failed to even wiggle. There are even some immovable diamonds here.

  What kind of diamonds? Bute asked.

  Immovable Diamonds. Fuge elaborated. They are diamonds that cannot be moved with bare hands. The carbon is so compacted by the white hole that its weight is deceptive. Often weighing tons. Be careful when immovables are around. These diamonds come in many sizes. You don't want to throw out your back trying to lift one that is the size of an apple but the weight of a truck. If you can't wiggle one, don't try to lift it without the help of a RocknRoll.

  What are they good for? Bute really wanted to know.

  Not much, mostly construction. They don't go for a lot. They are especially not worth the effort for a lowly miner like Eeone. His Mech probably couldn't carry more than a handful of them.

  Then what is he doing here? Bute scoffed.

  Your guess is as good as mine. Fuge replied.

  Eeone ignored everyone. He was too engrossed in his study of immovable diamonds, which he was closely examining with a handheld microscopy lens. After further examining the cavern, Fuge saw something that caught his eye. He wasn't sure, but he had an idea of what it was. He pointed to what he saw to the team's leader. Fuge and Bute whispered among themselves for a while, Then Fuge whispered something to And
rena and Rod. I couldn't hear what they were saying, for some reason I was kept out of the loop. The Wroughtwilers all looked each other in the eye for a bit before Bute turned to speak to Eeone.