The Wall (Colony B Book 1)

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The Wall (Colony B Book 1) Page 11

by Mikey Campling


  “Look at it this way,” Kyrksen said, “your people have survived against the odds for some time, so there’s a chance they’ll live out their lives on that hill…so long as they don’t venture down, of course.”

  “Couldn’t you rescue them?” Milo asked. “I mean, how are you getting back to Earth?”

  “We’ll be collected when our mission is over, but there probably won’t be enough room on the ship for everyone.” Kyrksen pushed out his bottom lip. “You can ask when the time comes, but I don’t hold out much hope. Maybe they’d pick up a few. The youngest perhaps.”

  “Did you hear that, Shiv?” Milo asked. “We could save the kids, and maybe more.”

  Siobhan stared at Milo. “Are you…are you saying you’ll stay? Do you seriously want to go along with these people?”

  Milo nodded. “It’s our only chance of ever getting back to Earth. And we could try and take some more people with us—as many as possible.”

  “Alternatively, I can drop you off here and you can walk back if that’s what you really want,” Kyrksen said. “But this planet is only going to become more inhospitable, and I’m offering you a chance to escape. I think your family would want you to take this opportunity. I think they’d want you to survive, to have a good life.”

  “He’s right, Siobhan.” Milo sat down on his chair. “I’m going to stay. I’m going back to Earth, and I think you should come with me. I’d like…I need you to stick with me. Please.”

  Siobhan lowered her gaze, then slowly, she sat down at Milo’s side and folded her hands in her lap.

  And Kyrksen smiled.

  Thank You for Reading The Wall

  Thank you for reading the first part of this serial - I hope you enjoyed it. I’ve wanted to write a serial for a long while, and this was as good a time as any. Serials present a unique challenge because they fall somewhere between short stories and full-length novels, and I’ve tried to produce a first episode that is a satisfying read in itself, while leaving plenty of avenues to explore in subsequent episodes. At the end of this first part, the main source of conflict has been resolved: the trucks have left the settlement in peace, and Siobhan and Milo have made their choice and left their old lives behind, albeit reluctantly on Siobhan’s part. Yes, Connor and his friends have sworn to get the young people back, but will they really set off on such a hazardous journey across the wasteland? It could be that his determined words are hopelessly optimistic; borne of desperation and a sense of loss. But then again, he might just go for it. You’ll find out in part 2!

  This first episode also offers some tantalizing glimpses of interesting characters and hints at the tensions between them, so there are plenty of discoveries to be made in the rest of the series as the story progresses. I’m looking forward to bringing you the rest of this tale, and I hope you’ll join me for the journey as we delve into the world of Colony B. Just don’t forget to pack your EVA suit.

  Where do we go From Here?

  I’d love it if you would stick around. I’ll do my best to make it worthwhile; I try to deliver extra value to my readers whenever I can. The next stop on our journey together is to visit my website and have a poke around: mikeycampling.com

  Please Support Independent Fiction - Post A Review

  If you can spare a minute to post a review for this book, it will make my day. I read and appreciate every single review, and they make a real difference in helping to get my work in front of new readers. Thank you.

  Free Books and More

  If you’d like to be the first to know about my new releases, receive some of my books for free, and get free exclusive downloads like audio stories and artwork, sign up for my newsletter without further ado: mikeycampling.com/freebooks

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  Plus a Newsletter Worth Actually Reading

  Here’s a link: Start Reading

  Coming Soon

  The Trail—Part 2 of Colony B

  Will Connor set off across the grunge-infested lowlands? Will Siobhan really reconcile herself to a life aboard the hover trucks? One thing’s for sure, now the settlers know they’re not alone, their lives will never be the same again.

  Find out more when you read the next episode of Colony B.

  Don’t Miss Out

  The best way to keep up to date with Mikey’s new releases is to sign up for his newsletter at: mikeycampling.com/freebooks

  Also by Mikey Campling

  Click here to find all my books on Amazon.com

  Trespass: A Tale of Mystery and Suspense Across Time—The Darkeningstone Book I

  Three stories, separated by five thousand years, united by one deadly secret: Somewhere, sometime, the stone is waiting.

  Trespass combines gritty, edgy modern-day action with a thrilling adventure across time. Discovered over five thousand years ago, the Darkeningstone affects everyone who finds it.

  Jake was too smart to believe the rumours about Scaderstone Pit, but now he’s in more danger than he could ever have imagined.

  In 1939, as World War II looms, the lives of two men will be changed forever.

  Over five thousand years ago, a hermit will keep the stone a secret. But someone is watching him—someone with murder in his heart.

  When it finds you, what will you see when you look into The Darkeningstone?

  Outcast—The Darkeningstone Book II

  3650 BC When Hafoc’s only family, his brother, is taken by the savage tribe known as the Wandrian, he’s determined to rescue him. But Hafoc is too young to face the Wandrian alone.

  2014 Tom lives a life of quiet, orderly routine. He needs it that way. But when he sees a mysterious stranger, his life begins to unravel. Who is watching him? And why do they seem hell bent on ruining his life?

  2018 Cally is working hard on her studies at university, so when she’s instructed to drop her research, she’s devastated. Will she give in or will she rebel? And who can she trust?

  Scaderstone Pit—The Darkeningstone Book III

  In the year 3550 BC, a woman runs for her life. She must find shelter before nightfall. But why is she so afraid?

  In 1919, the new owners of Scaderstone Rock prepare to open a quarry on the site. But what will they discover? Will the secrets of Scaderstone be unveiled?

  And in the future, what lies in store for Jake? He needs answers. But where can he turn? There is perhaps one person who can help him.

  Scaderstone Pit looks forward into the future and peers even further back into the myths and mysteries of the distant past. But there’s one thing you can be sure of:

  Somewhere, Sometime, The Stone is Whispering.

  Breaking Ground - A Darkeningstone Story

  A bonus story that adds extra detail to the Darkeningstone world but stands alone so it can be read before or after the full-length novels. Breaking Ground is only available via a free download via mikeycampling.com/freebooks

  CHEATC0DE - The Downlode Heroes Book I

  Most people play the game: total immersion VR with full neural sync. But Hank lives it.

  In Unlimited Combat, he’s one of the best. He makes his own luck. And he plays solo. Until now.

  When a player offers Hank fame and fortune, it’s too good to pass up. To succeed, Hank must fight harder than ever before, pushing past the game’s safety protocols. His life is on the line, and when he’s captured, he knows he’s in too deep. Can he escape? And who can he trust?

  Meanwhile, Hank’s father also escapes into VR, where he can relive his military past. But Hank’s dad has problems, caused by his experiences in the virtual battlefields of the future, and sometimes he has difficulty separating reality from his memories of virtual conflict. In real life, there’s conflict between father and son - could they be heading for a collision in VR?

  Join Hank in the game—if you dare.

  The Trust - The Downlode Heroes Book II

  In the virtual worlds at the Downlode Trust, you can be anyone you want - but
who can you believe?

  Hank doesn’t do VR. Not anymore.

  He was always good at VR games, especially Combat Unlimited, but he’s left all that behind. These days, he doesn’t even log on. But he’s down on his luck, and when he’s offered a place at the prestigious Downlode Trust, it’s too good to miss. It means leaving home and everything he knows, but tempted by the Trust’s cutting edge VR, he signs up. Now, he must travel to the UK and forge a new life while tackling new challenges that push at the limits of his ability.

  But there’s trouble at the Trust. A security breach in the Trust’s systems looks like an inside job. Who could be behind the cyberattack? And will it make the Trust’s students vulnerable?

  As head of operations, Colonel Stewart Headingley-Clarke is in a race against time to protect everyone at the Trust. Can he root out the trouble before the new students arrive?

  Meanwhile, one student has discovered an illegal mod, smuggled into the VR system. It will make her invincible, and she wants to make sure she’s the only one who can use it. She’ll do whatever it takes, and no one will be allowed to stand in her way. No one.

  Join Hank in The Trust, but remember: logging in is just the beginning.

  After Dark - Thoughtful Horror Book I

  When another body is discovered - a young woman washed up by the tide - it seems that someone stalks the streets of the nearby town of Whitby, after dark. Someone who preys on young women, and kills them in a very singular manner. And as crowds of Goths arrive to celebrate an annual festival, the scene is set for a gothic tale with a contemporary twist.

  After Dark is a horror story set in modern day Whitby, the town where, according to Stoker, a certain Count came ashore. In recent years, Whitby has held an annual Goth festival, and this surreal event sets the stage for a deliciously dark tale.

  Once in a Blood Moon - Thoughtful Horror Book II

  England. A quiet stretch of wild countryside. An isolated farmhouse. And an American visitor taking a break from it all. It sounds idyllic, doesn’t it?

  But on this night, the full moon looms especially large in the sky - a supermoon. And this event just happens to coincide with a lunar eclipse, tinging the moon with red. But it’s probably safe to be outside at night. After all, some things only happen once in a blood moon.

  A Dark Assortment - Thoughtful Horror Book III

  Sometimes that noise you can hear upstairs is just the old floorboards creaking as they settle down for the night. Sometimes. But there’s no need to worry because that face you saw at the window was just a reflection. There’s no one else here. You’re alone. But that’s OK because you’re safe in your bed. And all those things you fear deep down in the dark reaches of your soul…well, they only happen in stories, don’t they?

  A Dark Assortment is a collection of seventeen stories; a chocolate box of handmade treats. But beware—beneath each richly decorated shell, there’s a seed of delicious darkness.

  The God Machine

  Areva dreams of the day when he will become a Scribe and contribute to The Collective—the tethered souls, connected to the God-Machine. The Scribes write the Universe into existence, and it’s Areva’s destiny to join them. But as his time draws near, he hesitates. Perhaps the God-Machine serves a darker purpose.

  This book is widely available for free.

  Connect With the Author

  Thank you for taking the time to read my work—I really hope you enjoyed it.

  I love hearing from readers so there are lots of ways to reach me.

  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me via [email protected]

  You can follow me on Twitter @mikeycampling and I’ll do my best to reply to your mentions.

  I’m also active on other social media and the best place to see all those links is on my website: mikeycampling.com/contact

  About the Author

  Mikey works hard at everything he does. As a teacher, he always went the extra mile to give kids the best start in life that he could. His particular passion was inspiring children to love books, and his lively readings were always popular. His proudest moment was when the parents of a young boy with Asperger’s Syndrome told him that their son was asking for bedtime stories for the first time in his life.

  Today, after a spell as a full-time dad, Mikey writes stories with characters you can believe in, and plots you can sink your teeth into. His style is vivid but never flowery; every word packs a punch. His stories are complex, thought-provoking, atmospheric and grounded in real life.

  Mikey has always read very widely, and his work is just as varied. There are several strands to Mikey’s work:

  The Downlode Heroes - An ongoing series of fast-paced sci-fi novels with plenty of action and written using USA spellings;

  Colony B - a science fiction colonization serial written using USA spellings;

  The Darkeningstone Books - A trilogy of novels plus a novella featuring supernatural suspense across time and set in the UK using British spellings (NB: These novels form an epic tale and are best read as a complete trilogy);

  Thoughtful Horror - Short, dark stories with modern settings and a twist in the tale.

  All Mikey’s works have one thing in common: respect for the reader. As a writer, he takes a professional approach, and he believes very firmly that errors are unacceptable.

  Judge for yourself and start reading for free! Get your free starter library of Mikey’s books at:

  mikeycampling.com/freebooks

  Copyright

  © 2017 Mikey Campling All rights reserved.

  No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the copyright holder, except as permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

 

 

 


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