Descension

CHAPTER 2

Ben gazes into the abyss forming on the reactor. He peers closer; the site seems to have grown. He quickly fumbles for a tape measure, placing it along the width of the site, then scribbles the data down on his holopad. It is no larger than a few centimeters. Ben's gaze flicks up and down between his notes and the site, his writing swift and unbroken.

Once he finishes recording the new data, he makes his way back up to the observation wing, then towards the lab. Ben strides down the hall and opens the doors to the lab. He approaches the cabinet containing stable materials of group 6 on the periodic table. He takes a small sheet of tungsten, then turns back to grab a welding pen, along with thick gloves and a face shield.

Ben hurries back down to the reactor and places the tungsten square over the corrosion. He then pushes the shield down over his face, and carefully traces the edge of the tungsten at an angle where it would melt into the steel, sparks flying off of the metal and sputtering out on the ground. Once the metals have properly welded together, Ben lets out a long breath. He straightens his spine and rolls his shoulders back, giving another look around the room, sated for now.

Back in the lab, Ben takes the sample scrapings of warped metal, observing them under his microscope once more. It had rapidly evolved since this morning. A rush of panic surges through him. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and steadies his racing heart. He documents this, then swiftly walks to the switches on the wall, flicking off the lights, and dusting his hands off before leaving the lab.

0003. It's later than he thought, and he hasn't eaten dinner yet. Ben clutches the fabric over his abdomen as it twists with hunger that he hadn't noticed in the wake of his concentration. Turning left in the central wing was the separation between work and life for those who lived in Omnicore for their job, including Ben. However, it isn't a separation for him: it is a bond. His work isn't a burden, it's his passion–his life and one true love. I don't think I could live away from it. Ben smiles at the thought.

Once in the food court, Ben finds himself alone, the lights dimmed to a soft blue. He grabs two bowls of ready-made food and a canned drink, placing them on one of the long tables that stretches to either end of the court. He tears off the foil lids, taking a deep breath of the rich scents. In one bowl, noodles and veggies in a stock broth. In the other, rice and fish smothered in a dark tangy sauce. He lifts the noodle bowl to his lips and slurps the broth deeply, its warmth soothing the ache for nourishment in his stomach. His stress shows even as he eats, his pace unnecessarily quick as he scarfs down the food.

"You're up late," a familiar, comforting voice calls out.

Ben quickly wipes his face and stands up, nearly tripping over himself, "Alex!"

Alex knows Ben better than anyone else, even Liam. If anyone can calm Ben down, it's him. He's just as tall as Ben, though more slender, and has sharply angled features. He's pale, though thoroughly freckled, his hair a sandy blonde swoop, and has stark blue eyes framed by rectangular glasses. They had attended college together and both applied to Omnicore at the same time, though as Ben worked to climb in rank, Alex stayed where he had applied. The further up Ben went, the less they saw each other.

Ben clears his throat and sits back down with a sigh, his hands clasped between his knees as he slouches over.

"Uh-oh," Alex strides over to sit beside him, setting down his holopad on the table, "I know that look."

Ben groans and leans back, shaking his head as he rubs at his eyes behind his glasses, "Just tired..."

Alex raises a brow, "Well, don't lie to me now." He places his hand on Ben's shoulder.

Ben relaxes into his touch, giving an exasperated groan, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be a complete mess," Alex smirks, placing his other hand on Ben's opposite shoulder and beginning to gently knead, "Talk to me."