The Gorge Chapter 1

Alex Kingston, just your average 15 year old guy, was sleeping in on a Saturday morning, and had no idea that the world as he knew it was about to crumble. 9:30. the alarm on the clock built into his nightstand goes off just like every Saturday, but he just grabs his pillow and pulls it over his ears. “It CAN’T be 9:30 already….” He says to himself. Alex pulls back the covers and promptly trips over a shoe on the floor, and gets his braces stuck in the carpet.



“Mmph” He muffles “Im Gmph mh Brmph Stumph!!!” Mrs. Paula Kingston, a 42 year old schoolteacher at Victory Academy, walked into the room. “You did it again? She asks “I think we should change your name to carpet kisser!” She quips with a smile. “Mmph…” replies Alex. Mrs. Kingston bends down, and begins the process of slowly separating the braces from the floor. Half an hour later, and after much “Mmphing” Alex is free, “Thanks Mom” he says with a grin. Mrs. Kingston smiles good naturedly at her son and replies “That’s what moms are for, now hurry up! You’re going to make me late!”



After grabbing a bagel, and a bottle of juice from the fridge, Alex yells “Moooooooommmm! You say I’m slow, and it takes you half an hour to brush your hair!” His mother replies, “Get in the car, I’m on my way down.” 10 minutes later, the now primped Mrs. Kingston makes her way down the stairs, and gets in the car next to Alex. “You ready?” she asks, “I suppose so, He replies, But I’m not too sure I want to go.” “General Rassilon thinks your ready” encourages his mom. The car accelerates up to light speed, and the next thing you know, they are cruising down the streets of Victory.

Alex feels a pang in his heart, after the memories of his Father, Garret Kingston, who was a leading member of The Regiment, and went missing 8 years previous, flooded back into his mind.



The car pulled up to a huge silver building, which everyone in Victory knew as the Armory. Two very big guards dressed in all black ushered Alex and his mother inside. “General Rassilon will be with you in a moment” said the receptionist with a smile. Alex looked in sheer awe at the size of the Armory. “Does this thing go on forever!?” he questioned the receptionist as he looked down a hallway that seemed to stretch into infinity. “This always happens when people come here for the first time, the Great Hall of the armory is actually half a mile long to encompass all the training and instruction rooms for the Regiment” she replied.



Just as Alex was preparing to ask another question, a tall, broad shouldered man, with a funny sort of goatee walked into the lobby. “May I present General Trident Rassilon!” declared an aide that looked like he had done this millions of times, and never changed the way he said it. “You must be Mrs. Kingston”, the General boomed. “And this must be Alex! Great man, was your father, he saved my life in the battle for Fortrexia.” Alex looked down at the ground and mumbled a thank you, because he didn’t want the general too see the tears in his eyes.



The aide saved him from further embarrassment by taking initiative of the situation. “I’ll grab your things Mr. Kingston, and show to your quarters” as he led a brisk pace down a side hall.

Alex followed the man without thinking, and found himself on an elevator going higher than he had ever been. “The view is spectacular isn’t it?” the aide, who had introduced himself as Mr. Jamison, asked Alex. “Oh, yes, yes it is wonderful.” Alex replied absentmindedly. No further talk was made until Alex was standing before his room, numbered 2412, when Mr. Jamison informed Alex to call him if he needed anything, and Alex found himself sitting on strange bed, in a strange place, and wondered, “What do I do now?” Then he saw the note card on the table, “Basic Regiment training begins Monday at 0800 hours, tardiness will be punished.



With a sigh, Alex began to unpack and prepared for the nightmare to come.