United

A week after their latest internal conflict The Exploration Team was finally leaving their issues to one side and somewhat begrudgingly working in harmony. Putting forth a united front they set about on their first day of digging. Sights set the various stations civilians piled out of their homes to watch.

"I fucking hate that this is a spectacle now" Dr Raya said with her arms folded. "Oh cheer up Viv what's the big deal so some people want to watch" Thomas replied shrugging. "Okay what the fuck happened to you. You hate people, you hate when things aren't taken seriously and you definitely hate that all of this is happening. Who are you and where is Thomas" Vivian ranted indignantly.

"What can't a guy change" he replied with a smile. "You also hate change, what happened, oh God you're not having a mid-life crisis are you" she said looking at him with a confused look on her face. "I mean yeah at one point I would have thrown a fit over something like this but with this it's a hail mary shot. I was not clicking with people being a dick and with the baby on the way..." he said before trailing off as his eyes went wide.

"Baby?" Vivian said as she put her hands over her mouth. Watching his face turn red Vivian pieced it all together. "Oh my God congratulations, aww where's Stacy?" she asked as she gleefully looked around.

"She wanted to tell you herself so please don't let it slip you heard it from me" he said coyly. "Alright my lips are sealed" she said as she mimed locking her lips and throwing away the key.

"Okay thank you" Thomas said as he went back to observing the crowd. "Oh my God a baby" Vivian said bubbling with excitement. Letting out a deep sigh Thomas looked at Vivian with a slight smile. "Sorry ok it's see zipping it locking it not another word" she said as she repeated the zipping motion.

Facing the large city walls the Exploration Team stepped forward to their stations. A nervous tension filling the crowd. "Do they have to watch us do this? I'm nervous enough" Jude said under his breath. "Hey if you don't want to I'll switch with you if you want" Brodie replied.

Nervously chuckling Jude looked up. "Bro you're massive I look like your skeleton next to you" Jude said jokingly as he looked down at his utility belt. "I mean yeah but this whole thing was my idea" Brodie said in a bitter tone to deaf ears as Jude was still nervously fiddling with his belt.

"Team one to your stations!" Hori shouted snapping Jude out of his funk. Everyone seamlessly went to their assigned positions as Brodie attached himself to the support beam. Standing in a row they all tethered themselves to one another as Brodie was handed the forth person's tether and attached it to himself.

Arms folded and gritting his teeth he did a final check and said "Anchor set, tethers set you're cleared to climb". "Alright Team One ascend" Hori said as the four of them clicked their utility belts and shot their grappling hooks into the solid stone sky. A chorus of oohs and ahs from the crowd met them.

Ascending through the enclosed skies the team was met with a round of applause. "It's literally the first thing you've seen them do" Brodie said under his breath rolling his eyes.

The team armed their drills once they reached the marked spot. "Lame we don't get those small bombs" Grant said looking at Hori. "For the last time my bad okay yeah I shouldn't have thrown scissors" Hori replied. A loud explosion followed by loud cheering called for Team Ones attention. Looking to his side Jude saw Kosi and Willow cheer as debris fell to the ground below them.

"Fuck yeah that was awesome" Willow said throwing her arms in the air to cheer. A quiet clearing of the throat from Belal made her compose herself. "Oh shit yeah um entry point established are we clear to move in?" she said asking Paul on the other end. "All set on our end you're cleared to enter" he replied.

"Alright team down" she said as they descended to the open maw of the side of the cave. "Oh fuck this is actually happening" Kosi said as he closed in on the dark chasm. "You alright Kosi?" Willow asked as they reached the entry. Eyes wide and knees trembling Kosi could feel his heart beat through his chest. "Yeah I'm fine actually" he said shakily to Willow.