Read Chapter 23: — THE TUNNEL

The tunnel advanced slowly but steadily.

Geological investigation had identified fractured zones. Monitoring systems watched deformation. Support classes changed as conditions changed. Nobody on the project believed underground work was forgiving.

Then, just before dawn on a winter morning, the ground moved.

Not much.

Enough.

The earthquake registered far from the site, but local shaking destabilised a fractured section near the tunnel face. Rock and sprayed concrete came down behind a working party.

The alarm reached the camp at 05:17.

Daniel ran to the control point still pulling on his jacket.

“Who’s inside?”

The tunnel manager read names.

Eight workers.

Two engineers.

Graham Bennett.

Maya, arriving seconds later, stopped as though struck.

“No.”

The primary access was blocked. Communications through fixed lines had failed, but a secondary emergency channel eventually produced broken voice contact.

Graham was alive.

All ten were alive.

One worker had a broken ankle. Another had a head injury but remained conscious.

The rescue plan began immediately: stabilise the collapse zone, establish small-bore communication and supply lines, then create a safe access route without triggering secondary failure.

Daniel joined the technical group.

Maya tried to join the rescue entry team.

Daniel caught her arm.

“You’re not trained for that.”

“He’s my father.”

“That doesn’t make you trained.”

Her eyes filled with fury.

For the first time, Daniel understood Graham’s decision months earlier when Maya had been injured. Responsibility did not become easier because family was involved.

It became crueler.