Feelings of doubt and fear began to creep into Kosis mouth. As his heart thundered in his chest and his mouth became dry he did his best to not show his fear in his eyes or movements.
As the rest of the team propelled themselves down he settled his internal turmoil by closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before following suit.
Eyes shut he cast his parents from his mind and focused on the task at hand. "Sensors at the ready, Belal then Kosi then Katie. Count to ten once you see the person ahead of you inside. When you hit ten jump in after them" Willow said in a calm and stern tone.
She proceeded to swing into the tunnel and retract her grappling hook back into her utility belt as the crowd below cheered. Stepping inside she held up her sensor and got to work. Waiting ten seconds Belal swung in expertly to an equally rapturous applause from the civilians down below
Eyes focused on the jagged edges and absence of light Kosis hands began to feel clammy. "Uh Kosi isn't that ten seconds" Katie asked softly. Instinctively Kosi swung into the cave shutting his eyes and therefore scratching his knee on one of the edges. The sudden shot of pain shaking him from his fugue state he pulled out his sensor and got to work.
Once Katie had secured herself in the tunnel Eric propelled himself up and waited at the entrance of the tunnel. "Alright everybody good work so far remember we're just scanning today I don't want you going any further than fifty meters today" he said as the team proceeded further in.
"Roger" they said crouching further into the tunnel. They then pointed their portable sensors around the tunnel. As soon as they got to work a sudden tremor emanated from below. "Shit no not like this" Kosi said looking at the ground. Feeling his legs sink he shouted "We need to get the fuck out of here now!" in a panicked tone.
"Shit yeah everyone fall back, carefully though we don't need anyone getting hurt" Willow said slowly walking backwards. They retreated out of the cave one by one.
Minutes late they were back on the ground met and met with respectful applause. "Hold on a second it wasn't just us look around" Eric said looking at the other teams retreating. "Wait so this is an actual earthquake?" Katie asked as her voice shook.
"I don't-" another shake interrupted Belals statement. "Alright no what the actual fuck is happening let's get away from these walls" Kosi said in a panicked tone. "Shit yeah I think he's right. People! Move! Move get away from the walls!" Eric said throwing his hands up.
Joining in with Eric the rest of the team moved the crowd to the city auditorium. They were surprised to find a large portion of the cities population already in the auditorium.
"Why's everyone here already and why's the mayor up there on a podium?" Jude said asking Brodie. "Don't know probably some lame speech, oh wait there's my dad wait my mom's here too" he replied in confusion before suddenly walking off to talk to them.
As people packed into the venue Kosi looked down realizing his knee was bloodied. Clenching his fists he lamented himself for giving into his fear. Feeling a hand on his shoulder he turned to see Katie.
"You okay?" she asked skeptically. "I um... no I'm not I just-" a much larger tremor interrupted Kosi. "Shit what the fuck" he said as he started trembling. "Um what's going on do I need to get-" "Attention everyone I need everyone's attention for a minute" Clinton's voice boomed through the auditorium.
"No need to fear ladies and gentlemen what you're hearing and feeling is our way out" he said with a massive grin. Confused murmuring filled the room. "Allow me to explain. Help is arriving imminently, we are about to be saved by the people of Lux!" he yelled pumping his fist into the air.
Rapturous applause followed for only a second before many people froze and looked at him in confusion. "Wait did you just say Lux?!" someone from the crowd shouted. "Yes-" he replied before roars of anger emanated from the crowd.
"Why the fuck would they save us?!" someone shouted "Yeah!" many people in the crowd chorused. "Also the fuck you mean save us they put us down here to begin with!" Thomas barked. "Yeah!" the crowd chorused even louder.
As they started angrily scowling and yelling profanity at Clinton a large booming noise followed by the largest tremor yet. Dust began seeping through the door cracks and windows. Now immune to reacting to dust everyone refocused on Clinton. "The fuck are they doing Clinton?" Thomas said in a gruff and chilling tone.
"I could explain it to you or we could go outside and see for ourselves" Clinton said as he bolted for the door. Nervously following suit the rest of the city emptied out of the auditorium to their now dust and rubble filled city. Outside they saw miners coughing and through the smoke and dust they saw armed soldiers standing in front of armored vehicles.
"See I've negotiated your freedom. You're all welcome" Clinton said as he held his arms out wide displaying the Lux military personnel. "The fuck did you do Clinton?!" Thomas shouted angrily. "What you fucking couldn't Tommy!" Clinton yelled back triumphantly.