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90 pages

English

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Description

In this environmental tale, a young man with a heart for stewardship endures a showdown against an evil geologist bent on destroying nature. Richard Armadale, a recent college graduate, begins working at an environmental consulting firm in southeastern Kentucky. He performs his assignments with great enthusiasm, determined to do whatever is best for people and the environment. However, he meets a very wicked man of high rank, a crooked “scientist” who plunders the earth for as much money as possible without regard to ecological consequences. At this villain’s directive, an empire-like energy company upsets the balance of nature, creating a clash between farmers and coal miners. Richard finds himself caught in the midst of this conflict and bears responsibility for solving a looming water crisis. Ultimately, he must choose sides – miners or farmers – and defeat the plans of the mysterious menace before environmental degradation spells doom for the countryside.

Sujets

Environment

Fiction

Nature

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Publié par	Outskirts Press
Date de parution	12 septembre 2022
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781977258410
Langue	English

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At Odds With Each Other A Novel All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2022 Ben Suhrie v3.0
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book.
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com
ISBN: 978-1-9772-5841-0
Cover Photo © 2022 www.gettyimages.com . All rights reserved–used with permission.
Outskirts Press and the "OP" logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
DEDICATION
This novel is dedicated to all the poor, sick, lonely, elderly and vulnerable, and to those everywhere suffering from environmental problems.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank my family and friends for their ongoing support and encouragement, in addition to Bruce Carter and Douglas Cooper for writing Water Wars , the main inspiration for this novel.
Nicknames
MAJOR CHARACTERS
Barnyard Boy – Clyde Reinhold Elephant Man – Jon Wyganti Helper Lad – Ronald Giarto Instruction Fellow – Evan Stroop Old Farmer – Elias McCullough Racecar Dude – Bo Milako Revolution Girl – Emily Conrad Savvy Socialite – Alyssa Cale Shadow Guy – Martin Matthews Soft Tongue – Candace Meakard Sunshine Lady – Amber Lane Tender Toucher – Jenna Braubach
MINOR CHARACTERS
Black Train – Daniel Verny Deep Throat – Isaac Wilson Fly Fisher – Adam Chiocchi Happy Bunny – Brianna Yachin Lazy Loafer – Jocelyn Reical Pale Egg – Halley Towser Silent Soldier – Terrence Hasinger Steam Head – Henley Strankop
Acronyms
AOI: Area Of Interest DEP: Department of Environmental Protection FOP: Flow Origination Point GPM: Gallons Per Minute HSW: Hydrologic Surface Waters JHA: Job Hazard Analysis MSHA: Mine Safety and Health Administration SCM: Stream Current Monitor SDS: Safety Data Sheets STP: Stream Termination Point
Technology
CartoPac – a map application with phone and desktop components
Hach – a blue rectangular device used for collecting hydrologic data
InReach – an old-fashioned walkie-talkie for sending brief messages
McBirney – a yellow plastic apparatus used to gauge stream flow
R1 unit – a pocket gadget that records GPS information (i.e., location)
Table of Contents
PART ONE
CHAPTER 1: Murray and Affiliates
CHAPTER 2: One Who Had a Head of Steam
CHAPTER 3: A Stream Feature Stroll
CHAPTER 4: Greene’s Creek
CHAPTER 5: Pick Up the Race
CHAPTER 6: Stream Permitting
CHAPTER 7: Rip Up Their Property
CHAPTER 8: Hustling Through the Valley
PART TWO
CHAPTER 9: An Abundance of Green Burrs
CHAPTER 10: The Farmer’s Request
CHAPTER 11: Exploring the Sharmin Tributaries
CHAPTER 12: Bison Creek
CHAPTER 13: The Blessing and Curse of Coal
CHAPTER 14: Elevenmile Creek
CHAPTER 15: The Girl to Bring About a Revolution
PART THREE
CHAPTER 16: Weekend Surprises
CHAPTER 17: Spirit of a Black Train
CHAPTER 18: Followed by a Shining Sun
CHAPTER 19: Conrad Power
CHAPTER 20: Embarking on a Side Quest
CHAPTER 21: Safety Issues
CHAPTER 22: To Wish Upon a Shooting Star
CHAPTER 23: Every Drop of Water
Part One
CHAPTER 1:
Murray and Affiliates
The vice president neither had dark skin nor wore dark clothes, but he bore a dark countenance, and I imagined a shadowy figure when I thought about him. At his side sat a short rotund woman in her late thirties, several years his lesser, whose perpetual smile made her face shine like the sun, radiating outdoor bliss.
Near one end of a long wooden table, they faced away from a door behind their seats.
It’s not that Shadow Guy was incapable of summoning a picturesque expression on necessary occasions – though that left much to be desired – but he had never found the grace to simply look like a pleasant person. Sunshine Lady, a Nine with sleek dirty-blonde hair and clear green eyes, could not be perceived as stern, which belied her role as project manager, much the same as a red robin can be described as anything but threatening.
Their yin-and-yang contrast threw the vibe of the Conference Room off balance.
" What are some of your weaknesses?" asked Shadow Guy, maintaining eye contact.
"I guess my biggest weakness is that I don’t know how to do the job yet…though I’m willing and able to be trained for this type of position."
" Where is the University of Prestonsburg?"
"About twenty-five minutes north of here near Lakeland."
" What did you like about geology?"
"The field trip experiences."
" And what is this…College Tutoring Central?"
"A location on campus for students needing help. I was a math and science tutor."
" Indeed. Now for you to perform some calculus problems!"
Sunshine Lady burst out in feminine laughter. "Hahahaha!"
" Just kidding, we won’t make you do that! But you must like math, then? That’s quite unique here."
Her head drifted upwards with lips and tongue moving in sync. "What do you like to do for fun?"
"For fun?" I sighed in relief. "I do lots of stuff for fun – especially as it relates to this job. Hiking, biking, rock climbing…and amateur astronomy."
A clap pierced the room. "Excellent! It’s good to know you’ve spent time looking up instead of down. We do need more of that, I suppose…."
Sunshine Lady grabbed my hands, hair and jewelry sparkling. "Now, in this job you will spend most of the time outside. Is that okay with you?"
"Absolutely. The last thing I want is to be chained to a desk all day."
"Well thaat’s GOOD. Do you have any questions for us?"
"How has the vision for this company changed since Jack Murray resigned last year?"
Consumed by giggles, she motioned to her associate, who rose to the occasion, stretching. "We’ve learned a lot from ol’ Jack, a fine fellow and faithful great-grandson of our pioneer…but we’ve decided to take things in new directions, let’s say."
"What kind of new directions?" I kicked myself.
He smacked his palms on the polished wood. "Very new directions."
Rocks, trees, and rivers filled the background of the website’s homepage. The company described itself as an environmental consulting firm specializing in groundwater and dedicated to clients’ interests.
Martin Matthews and Amber Lane offered to connect through LinkedIn. With a background in biology, Amber had worked as a fishery intern; her faraway glare bespoke of fear rather than peace. Martin held a professional geologist license and possessed an air of regality; he had a broad forehead and a greedy grin, and his eyes seemed to look in a direction different from which his mouth spoke.
August 19, 2019
Dear Richard Armadale,
After careful consideration among all of our candidates, we believe you are the most qualified. We are pleased to offer you the position of Field Technician for Murray and Affiliates, Inc. Please keep in mind that your employment is contingent upon undergoing a background check in addition to completing a physical at your primary care provider. By signing the electronic form below, you agree to avoid employment with competitive businesses for twelve months.
Sincerely,
Candace Meakard Human Resources
Sticking out from my bookshelf was a Kopen picture book about caring for nature. A short poem within its pages gave glory to an illustrated hiking trail with trillium flowers on the front cover.
I rested outside listening to music under the setting sun. Itchiness crept upon my skin, so I brushed away mosquitos. Trees held still their branches as a breeze dissipated, and my iPhone played ‘Fireflies’ by Owl City while fireflies emerged from bushes.
The two-story brick building was one part square and the other longways rectangular. On the top floor of the former part was Waterstone Surveying and Mapping, while Murray and Affiliates comprised the bottom unit; at the intersection of both components lay a flourishing garden. These companies shared the parking lot with a four-story building composed of white stone and lined with rows of blackened windows.
The president’s height aided his role as the overseer. Double-bridged glasses illuminated the dull complexion of fifty-year-old Jonathan Wyganti, lending him an impression of watchfulness; nary a stray pen escaped his attention. His monosyllabic vocabulary betrayed the dignity of his office, while his portly build and poor posture caused him to stand like an elephant. Elephant Man walked slowly and with regular rhythm.
Bum, ba-dum – ba-dum, ba-da-da-da- dum da-dum, da- dum.
On Monday morning, receptionist Mindy Dune greeted me at eight-o’clock. Among maps, charts, and graphs attached to walls and cubicles, a geologic map with a photograph of Earth hung on an archway.
Jon stood at the front of the cubicle complex.
"Good morning!" I announced.
"Mm hey. Lemme show ya ‘round."
At the center of the cubicle maze, one restroom displayed a flower vase, and in the other a sports magazine lay folded by the sink. Entry-level employees, who appeared to be in their twenties and thirties, worked in the cubicles, while most of the higher-ups, individuals a generation older, occupied offices along the perimeter of the complex.
Elephant Man escorted me to a cubicle identified by my name on a tinfoil banner, which I crumpled and tossed in the wastebasket. I shuffled the computer mouse and spun around in the swivel chair.
"Giddup. Ya know where yer place is, now we’re goin’ over here."
Behind my cub