 From the studios of Books in Motion, this is Jerry Shario reading Outback Station by Aaron Fletcher. Now let's begin with Outback Station. Chapter 1 When he heard the first loud crack of a thick beam in the mind-ceiling behind him, David Kerrick reacted instinctively. Dropping the heavy hammer he was using to pound a steel drill into the coal to break loose slabs of it, he picked up the lantern at his feet. Follow me, he shouted, at the two convicts who were shoveling up the loose coal. Then he stepped quickly to the side of the mine. The two men were slow-witted, as well as lethargic from the grueling labor. Remaining as they were, one of them called out in surprise as they were left in darkness. What the bloody hell?! His voice and the metallic clatter of other convicts' picks were suddenly drowned in the deafening roar of supporting timbers splintering and huge rocks falling. The cave-in, some forty feet away, was at the junction of the main tunnel and the branch where David and the others were working. He stood beside the framework of supporting beams at the side of the mine, holding the smoky oil lantern close and sheltering its flame with his body. The dark, low cavern quaked violently as its roof at the junction with the main tunnel collapsed and swirling air currents from the tons of falling rock snuffed out the other lanterns. In the total oppressive darkness, the air was thick with choking coal dust. The supports beside David groaned and sagged under the stress, but they held. Nothing larger than pebbles rained down on him. As the rumble of falling rocks faded away, two men, pinned under the debris, screamed in agony. The other convicts, terror-stricken, stumbled about in the darkness, shrieking that they were doomed. In contrast to their panic, David had a detached, impassive attitude. Having escaped the near-brush with instant death, he saw that his life, such as it was, would continue. Turning away from the side of the tunnel, he lifted the lantern, its light reaching only a few feet through the thick dust in the air. One of the men charging wildly about in the darkness rushed to the light, clawing frantically at the lantern. Give that ear, he bellowed. I'm going to find a way out of— He broke off as David hit him, driving a fist solidly into his face. As he reeled back and fell, Carrick turned to the dim shadows of the others in the darkness. Get yourselves in hand, he shouted. We'll never get out of here unless you keep your wits about you. A man wailed in fright. The man started to continue, then fell silent and cringed when David lifted a fist and moved toward him. As another convict brushed past him, David seized the man and hurled him toward the others, who were still rushing about. He collided with several of the men, who in turn stumbled against those near them, sprawling in a tangle of falling limbs. Now, settle yourselves, David ordered, walking toward them as they climbed to their feet. The more you move about, the sooner you'll use up the air in here. He pointed to one of the men. You, find another lantern and a pick. The rest of you, sit down. I'll have a look and see how we can get out, and I'll call you if you're needed. The man David had pointed to disappeared into the darkness toward the coal seam, and the others quietly sat down. Well over six feet and two hundred pounds, David towered above most of them, and he had the assurance of an intelligent, well-educated man. Through painful experience, some of the men knew it was unwise to cross him, and they were wary of him for yet another reason. While they had been transported to Australia for minor crimes, David Kerrick had been sent to the penal colony for having committed murder. David lifted the lantern higher, moving toward the cave-in. Two men, now moaning and whimpering in pain, had been carrying out full hods of coal when the ceiling had collapsed. They were partially buried in the pile of rocks and dirt that blocked the front of the tunnel, and three other men pulled at rocks near them. Leave that, David told the men. Get the rocks off those two there and pull them back with the others. You look after him, one of the men replied. I'll get my ass out of here, and everyone else can go to— His voice faded into a yelp of surprise and pain as David seized his shirt and flung him back from the debris. Get the rocks off those two, David repeated quietly, and take them over to the others. The man grumbled resentfully, climbing to his feet, then joined the other two in moving the debris off the buried men. The dust started to settle, but David still saw very little in the weak light from his lantern. Then the man who had gone to the other end of the— Sample complete. Ready to continue?