The Exterior

Genre: Science Fiction, Post-Apocalypse

Written in Spring 2023, Eddy Taylor’s The Exterior was his first exploration into writing science fiction. Inspired by the works of Andrian Tchaikovsky and other contemporary science fiction authors, the story follows a team of scientists exploring a ravaged future earth.

Preview

“Visor down.” Said Ainsley. Jade slid the dome of glass over her face and breathed deeply. This would the last artificial air she would breathe for a long time, from now until their return it would be filtered, and therefore dangerous. Though all conceivable preliminary checks had been taken from the other survey teams and the unmanned scouts, she could not help but be nervous. A small of pocket of dread seized her lungs and she choked. “What’s wrong?” Ainsley turned. If not for the lights inside his helmet Jade would have been spared the grim expression.

“Nothing. Just nerves. Sir.” She answered.

“Well, keep them in line.”

“Yes sir.”

Jade readjusted her footing. Ainsley had an irritating knack for making everyone he spoke to stand at attention. He and his partner, Merrick, were the only two people Jade and her peers knew to have left the Interior on no fewer than a dozen expeditions. Most saw this as admirable quality, Jade wondered if they just liked to poison each other.

“Begin.” Came a raspy static voice over the suit’s intercom.