Zach McCauley
Bio
Just a guy trying to create a better world one story at a time.
Stories (4/0)
The Greatest Among Us
June 5, 1944 The Skies above Normandy The Night Before D-Day Charlie’s hand trembled as he tried to control his fear. He felt his pockets for his ration of cigarettes. With a shaking hand, he pulled one out and put it to his lips, and with the other hand, lit it. He took a deep inhale, trying to calm himself, and breathed out a cloud of smoke. As he trembled and sweat the doubts set in. Charlie allowed his mind to take him home. He thought of his friends, many of whom were fighting on one of the many theaters of war around the world. He thought of the local park in his hometown where he would read under his favorite tree. Then, he thought of his twin sister, Maggie, and his parents. He had family pictures in his helmet. Charlie pulled out his most recent letter from his sister. He hadn’t yet opened it, holding on to it. He didn’t know when he’d be able to get mail from her again, so he kept this one for the moment he’d need it most. He looked at the letter and smiled, then secured it back into his coat pocket. For a moment he felt peace.
By Zach McCauley2 years ago in Fiction
Phoenix 5
“Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. Maybe not the scream of the voice, but the terror on the face…that’s louder than anything I’ve ever heard.” Nell Parker sighed. “End transmission.” The holo recording in front of her cut off, the file compressed, the debrief was ready to make the 800-million-mile journey to Earth. She sat back in her chair and stared at the steel bulkhead above her. Normally well illuminated, the bridge was dark as the reserve power only kept essential systems powered on, like artificial gravity, communications, oxygen, and power in the med bay. Technicians worked furiously to repair the power core within the vessel. She turned and looked out the window. The violent magnetic storm looked magnificent. A brilliant swirl of purples, pinks, intertwined with black, blue, and gray. White flashes pulsed from the center. The storm’s diameter was almost two miles. They had not yet been able to confirm how deep the storm was; none of the probes or drones had returned or been able to get a signal through the storm. Members of the crew had remained at the windows in awe for quite some time. It could put one in a trance. How such destructive power could be wrapped in such immense beauty, Nell would never know.
By Zach McCauley2 years ago in Fiction
Derailed
Jason felt a pulsing beneath him, rhythmic, cadenced. Bright lights began as a blur in his eyes, then as his vision cleared, he could see them illuminated above him. The fluorescent beams above blinded his unadjusted eyes. His head began to pound, and his body ached. He lay still, confused, unaware of what had happened. The pulsing continued, his eyes cleared and adjusted, his thoughts came in steady waves now. He was laying on the floor, somewhere…foreign. He reached up to touch the back of his skull, felt a large knot. He had no recollection of how he'd hurt his head. He tenderly stroked the injured area, assessing the injury. His neck began to feel irritated. He moved his hand to what felt like an insect bite. The pulsing beneath him continued steadily. Carefully, he began to stand. A large window was to his right. A city streaked by, glowing by artificial light in the dark of the night. Jason's senses began to overload as his awareness grew. His breathing intensified, growing rapidly, uncontrollable. Both hands were now on the window as he leaned, trying to catch his breath. He looked up at the city speeding past. Sweat began to bead on his brow. He turned around, looking at his surroundings. The room was a box full of luggage and metallic supply crates. It was a storage room of some sort. He turned back to the window, then again to the room; he was on a train.
By Zach McCauley2 years ago in Fiction
The Guardians of Veya
There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. No, once the Valley was guarded by beings of legend, possessing great power bestowed upon them by the dragon kings. They were fearsome warriors, pure of heart. They bore the mark of the dragon kings, understanding that they had been chosen and granted this great power in the defense of all that was lovely and pure in the world. They stood watch over all of Veya, from the distant mountain of the High King Keth’ir to the gates of the Valley. They kept darkness at bay for a millennium, and all the people of Veya lived in peace. Then the Night Giants returned. These were beasts of clouded heart; fallen dragon kings whose hearts had led them astray by a greed for power to a fate of desolation.
By Zach McCauley2 years ago in Fiction