Author: markswritingcorner

Mark Ahern was born in 1979 and is from Ireland. He attained a Degree in Commerce from UCD in 2000 and a Masters in European Studies in 2001. He has written three novels to date encompassing science fiction and thrillers. At times Mark has used his experiences as an individual with a disability to write from a truly unique perspective. "Chronicles of Martan" which is his sole science fiction work to date, is an epic space odyssey inspired by his love of Star Wars. This was followed by "Not the Usual Suspect" and "Paradigm". His current project is called "The Irish Ripper" and should be available late 2019.

Wheelchair Wars Part 2 (22)

Timothy suddenly felt elated, almost light-headed with excitement. He could almost smell the death that was coming. This is what he was born to do, to fight. The planet’s suffocating heat no longer bothered him.

He left the majestic building and drove up a long ramp onto the defensive walls in his battle wheelchair, with his most loyal troops following closely behind. Now it was time for all his planning to finally swing into action.

From this position, he can look out at the barren world in front of him. Reports start to filter through of individuals beginning to convulse, but they are quickly slaughtered before they can fully mutate and do any significant damage.

Then, an hour later the reddish sky is lit up as countless waves of fireballs begin to pound the planet. It lasts for thirty minutes and then there is a pause.

Timothy never stops surveying the landscape before him. As he had expected the attack is slower to build due to the more hostile nature of the planet and the lack of life.

Then, he sees a small, black form in the distance. Then another appears from a different direction. But they move towards each other rather than the base. The alien menace was building its strength before the attack.

Pegasus (Part 28)

Tabitha was now on her home turf and very much taking the leading role. I followed her closely. She knew what parts of the ship the droids would clear first so we weaved in and out of the different rooms to avoid them. They mostly took the form of humans but others were just lifters with wheels. Still, I thought we were finished when I suddenly collapsed. Fear and panic suddenly transcended over me. My heart rate quickened.

“You’ll be okay,” he assured me, “it’s the higher oxygen content in the air on this habitat that’s affecting you. You’ll be okay in two or three minutes. My body has been through this before so I’m not as badly affected.”

Stoically, I regained control of my body and followed her once again. A few moments later we were outside the ship and on the hanger floor. It was cool and smelled of cleaning fluid.

“Where now?”

“There is an unmanned train station just outside, we need to get on one of the carriages. It will take us close to the rebel base,” she remarked, “let’s go.”

With that, we crouched behind other spaceships and cargo, crawling from one to the other that was strewn high around the place.

The fierce heat and the pungent smell of exotic plant life struck me once I stepped outside. It was like a furnace.

“This way,” she commanded.

Galway Girls (Part 4)

The first part of the night was to go and meet Sean in a pub called Roisin Dubh (Dark Little Rose) where we will see a comedian. It’s a ten-minute walk from the hotel, mostly along pedestrian-only streets. Buskers line the streets giving the busy streets a vibrant sense of festivities.

We’ve been to Roisin Dubh before. I want to use my brain to see if I remember the route but Ronan has much more confidence in his phone. And let’s face it, when it came to the crunch there was always going to be one winner.

The Corrib was in full majestic flow as we crossed over it. It wouldn’t want to rise any higher or it might take the bridge with it. We were getting close now and it wasn’t long till we reached the pub. There was a step up into it, so the barmen went to get a wooden ramp. Still, the footpath was narrow and it took some exquisite driving to get on the ramp to get up the step. But there was no way I would fail with the taste of vodka now so close.

There was no sign yet of Sean inside. The bar area is very small so there was nowhere for him to hide.

Wheelchair Wars Part 2 (21)

He entered the room of the ambassador and ordered that the Planet-wide communication channel be activated. He briefly paused and then stated the following –

People of Iridion 5, the enemy is now in orbit and will shortly enter the atmosphere. Its goal is not only to extinguish all life including your own on this planet but all life throughout the galaxy. They are called Tyranids and feeling, love, and empathy are beyond them. Tyranids simply want to destroy and consume everything in their path. And if left, they will consume you and your loved ones. These are dark times but I feel that the heroism that will be displayed on this planet in its defence will be remembered forever in the heart of the Emperor. There is a time for peace and there is a time for war. You will fight them in the sky, in the deserts and cities, and in the mines. You will never surrender.

And I will be fighting with you. My body may be weak and that of a cripple but my wheelchair and its firepower are strong. My determination and resilience to defend this planet is absolute. Together, not only we can defend this planet but also hit a ferocious blow in defense of the Empire. Songs will be sung about Iridion 5 from now until the death of the very last star.

Now to your battle stations. For the glory of the Emperor, let us destroy this Tyranid menace.

Pegasus (Part 27)

An hour later we entered the habitat, It was unlike anything that I had previously experienced. The sheer scale and magnificence. It even seemed to have an atmosphere at its unenclosed entrance. One moment we were free-floating in space and the next propellors appeared at the side of the ship and there were clouds that we quickly descended below which revealed a thick, lush sea of green rainforest and a blue sky. Still, our journey was far from complete. The rainforest gradually gave way to savannah, becoming less dense at first before the trees became isolated from one another. Immense creatures were visible below.

“See, I wasn’t messing with you,” Tabitha shouted from her seat.

“No, you weren’t. I can see that.”

“Don’t worry. I will look after you,” she replied smiling back to me. It was surprisingly reassuring.

A few minutes later she confirmed that they were approaching the landing strip. A large warehouse came into view first before it appeared right beside it. The landing was unexpectedly soft.

“What now?” I asked.

“The cargo will be taken off by droids. There are no humans here. But the droids could send out an alert if we are spotted. However, they operate in a very predictable manner,” she replied as she took off her chair straps and stood up.

Galway Girls (Part 3)

The traffic grew as we approached our destination. Galway is full of quaint, narrow streets. They give it a sense of place and improve walkability. But, they can get gridlocked during busier times.

It’s now that we start looking out for a parking spot, preferably a wheelchair spot but we’ll take what we can get. We’ve done this journey a few times previously so we know where to look. Incredibly, the rain stops and a parking space is free just as we approach the hotel. I hope this is a good omen for the night.

We are staying in the Imperial Hotel, its location is ideal for someone with limited mobility, with everything of importance close by. It is also the only hotel in a central location with a lift where wheelchair users can stay. The reception area is rather plain and dull, with just non-descript chairs for people who wish to sit. We are met by a smiling receptionist who says, that she hopes we will enjoy our stay in a strong Galway accent.

We head up to our room, which is very spacious but clammy. I tell Ronan that I call dibs on the double bed. Part of me wants to lie down for a while but Ronan is anxious because we running late for the comedy gig so it’s just a quick trip to the toilet and spruce up for me.

Galway Girls (Part 2)

The drive to Galway from my hometown takes about an hour and a half. All via a motorway through an Autumnal landscape. Some leaves cling to existence on now mostly barren branches. I was sitting in my electric wheelchair, which was clamped to the bottom of the van in close proximity to my driver Ronan.

On the way, we discussed what was happening in our lives. With me, nothing much. My life in my thirties had become somewhat stale – get up, work, watch TV, repeat. For me, this trip was a chance to refresh my mind and break up the monotony. Ronan’s life was progressing at least. His second child was on the way, and he was a firefighter. For God’s sake, a hero. Not that I was jealous or anything, more that it was inspiration for what my life should be like. And, anyway coming across car crashes, drownings, and suicides, not my kind of thing.

About half an hour into the trip, our conversation had quietened somewhat and the radio went on. There’s nothing quite like driving and rocking away especially when you have done it for a while. A bit of Queen there and then some Prodigy.

It was raining heavily on the way up but the forecast said that it would clear. I hoped they were right. Nothing worse than being in wet clothes and in a wheelchair for getting a cold.

As we approached the city, Ronan turned on his satnav. Galway’s a maze of one-way streets for those who don’t know it intimately. Our destination was called the Imperial Hotel on Eyre Square right in the beating heart of the city.

Galway Girls (Romance)

There was always something about getting out of Mullingar that would get me somewhat excited. Not that there is anything wrong with Mullingar. It’s just good to see and do something different now and again.

You see my name is Paul and I have a condition called cerebral palsy. My speech is unaffected but if I stand, I can only take a few steps at best. Hence, I use an electric wheelchair. It really is a lifesaver. I have good coordination in my arms but they lack strength. So, I wouldn’t be the best of bricklayers. Yes, I have a job and work full-time in an office selling stationery. Most of the time, it’s pretty boring unless something goes wrong with the system. That’s never good.

Well anyway, a few months ago, I and my besties Ronan and Sean made plans for a night away in Galway on the fifteenth of October. This was something we had done a few times previously taking in a comedy gig and then going for a few drinks. Ronan also lives in Mullingar and he will be my chauffeur. Sean lives on a boat. More about that later.

That was last Friday and it turned into a night to remember.

Wheelchair Wars Part 2 (20)

Days turned into nights and nights into days. And he waited along with every other human on the hellish planet for the enemy to attack. What were they waiting for? A certain bloodlust had overcome him. They had won in the first round, but that would not happen again. This sickly world wouldn’t die. Not on his watch.

He had spent the time learning all about the planet’s defenses, its troop numbers, and their location. There were extensive tunnels underneath the planet due to the mining. He had many of them booby-trapped. A major plus was that many of the commanders had fought previously for the emperor against a planet nearby where blasphemy had taken hold. The Emperor’s divinity had been questioned. They had all been slaughtered. A fitting end to treachery.

Lazarus, one of the loyal troopers who saved him previously rushed into his room panting in the noxious gasses that constituted the air on the planet.

“They are entering into orbit,” he sputtered.

“Finally,” Timothy replied turning his wheelchair and heading to the control center down the corridor.

“Tell the Emperor’s Representative that now is the time to address the planet.”

“He has left the planet,” Lazarus replied.

The wheelchair came to an abrupt halt.

“What?”

“He reportedly left a few hours ago. He said it was on urgent business of the Emperor.”

Timothy’s heart quickened, his hands clenched, “I will do it myself so.”

Pegasus (Part 26)

The habitat only becomes increasingly impressive as it draws. It is cylindrical in nature just like my home one but this one is larger.

Tabitha then speaks –

“This habitat has a larger surface area than the entire earth containing vast oceans, mountain ranges, and forests. It harbors life that last existed on Earth over sixty-six million years ago before it was wiped out by a huge asteroid, or at least, that’s what I’ve heard. You will not believe your eyes. Some of these are like gigantic monsters that will you to shreds in an instant. Others, are much smaller but hunt in packs and are even more dangerous. Most only eat plants but even with them, it would be wise to keep your distance. The most fearsome of them all is called Tyrannosaurus Rex. You need to prepare yourself mentally for what you are about to face.”

“Then why are we going there, Tabitha? Are you crazy?”

“Because that is where we have a base. Very few people live in the habitat, even though it could house all of the Earth’s population. Nature is allowed to thrive, and there is far less surveillance. It’s dangerous but safer than most places.”

Without even thinking I responded, “I will follow wherever you go.”

It was true. There was no turning back now.