Chapter 15: A Trip to the Mines

"Hmmm okay, if we go with Uncle Victor and not in the mines I can convince daddy to let me go" Lyra beamed as she could go on another adventure with Jake.

Not only was Jake helping her with her homework he was also taking them to fun places instead of being home alone.

"Awesome, I'll ask my dad if we can visit him" Jake smiled as his plan was successful.

"Okay, then I'll go and ask mine." Lyra pulled out her holo bracelet to speak to her father.

Jake meanwhile phoned his father asking him if he could visit the excavation site.

Victor who was in his mining overalls, sat in an office outside the mines going over various documents on his holographic screen.

His screen lit up showing Jake calling him

Victor smiled and exhaled as he leaned back on his chair.

"Ahh, looks like it's already time huh." He spoke with a hint of worry.

"I hope you can do a better job than me son." He smiled before answering the call.

"Hey Dad, I was wondering if me and Lyra could come to the mines today and visit the excavation site." Jake spoke to his father.

"Why not Jake, everything's already been analysed and the company's letting us do what we want with the site." Victor calmly spoke to his son.

Jake who didn't expect his father to agree so easily was ecstatic.

"Really dad? Lyra's speaking to her father to see if she's allowed to go."

"Oh, don't worry about Clarence, I'll let him know that I'll give you kids a tour personally so you don't need to worry."

"Thanks, Dad, I'll tell her the good news. I love you."

"I love you too son" Victor smiled as he ended the call before exhaling and leaning back once again.

'Did you hear that Atlas, Dad said yes!' Jake excitedly spoke to his Atlas.

(I did, I was surprised he agreed quite easily. This does make it easier for me to scan the wreckage if your father gives us access.)

'How are you going to scan the site?' Jake was a little confused as he didn't have any tools with him.

(Your eyesight will be more than enough, I'll show you when we're there.)

'Oh alright, Let's let Lyra know we can go now' Jake didn't think much of it and went to meet Lyra outside the class.

"Hey Lyra, what did your dad say?" Jake asked Lyra who had just ended her call.

"Oh, my father said it's alright if we're going with Uncle Victor and he'll send a transport to pick us up later." Lyra spoke normally but had a gleam of happiness in her eyes.

"Awesome, let's head out then" Jake said before grabbing Lyra's hand and leaving the school.

Lyra had a small blush on her face as she was whisked away by Jake.

As they made their way to the mines, Jake and Lyra watched the massive mining machines digging and moving large amounts of dirt in the craters below.

Since they were also near Port Gideon, Jake also took notice of the different types of ships entering and exiting the Port.

While most were freight vessels carrying minerals from the moon to other worlds, Jake had also noticed a military vessel entering the Port.

The vessel, a sleek corvette, which had a 2 toned colour scheme in blue and white, the colours of the Nexus Corp, the company that his father and Clarence worked for.

"Never seen that ship type before, I wonder why it's here?" Jake spoke to Lyra trying to see whether she would know.

"I don't know, my dad didn't say anything about any visits or patrols. Usually, they Patrol around the orbit for a few months and then leave to resupply. I wonder why it's down here." Lyra spoke, just as confused as Jake.

(Jake, I have identified the vessel. The Atlas spoke.)

'Well, anything out of the ordinary?' Jake asked the Atlas.

(The Vessel belongs to the NCSF, the Nexus Corp Security Force, or the Military branch of the Nexus Corp. The vessel called the 'Surovikin' with ship number NC8267W-27 is a tango-class Corvette. Its primary purpose is to ship soldiers and supplies quickly and stealthily while still being able to hold its own in a firefight.

Normally, patrols and schedules by the NCSF are long approved and very rarely are appointed on short notice which is why I do not believe it is a regular patrol vessel.)

'Hmm, maybe they have a training exercise or something like that.'

(According to the Port Authority's public schedule, it seems the vessel is to be refuelled and then will leave the port in a few hours. It would seem they are just resupplying before heading out.)

"Anyway we're almost here, I wonder where dad is?" Jake spoke out loud before seeing a man in blue overalls waving at them.

"Look Jake it's your dad." Lyra spoke first as they both sprinted to Victor who was waiting for them.

"Hey Dad" Jake spoke before hugging his father.

Victor hugged his son while also patting Lyra's head, greeting her as well.

"Alright kids, I did promise I would show you two the site wouldn't I? Just don't tell your sisters Jake, your mother will kill me." Victor spoke to the two receiving big nods from the two.

"Here put these hats on and wear these masks, there's nothing bad where we're going but I'd rather have you two safe okay?" Victor spoke as he gave both Lyra and Jake Hard hats and quad-filtering masks.

As they walked Jake noticed the large quarry that surrounded them.

Large boring machines and drills were working in the distance with many workers supervising as most of the machines were automated.