Missing Mater

Chapter 2

Sheriff, Sarge and Lightning had taken it upon themselves to start an outer-perimeter search for Mater. Everyone kept scanning the outer regions of the towns' limits, hoping to see Mater, but no luck was had. As it got later and darker, hopes of him returning on his own dwindled. Mater didn't usually stay out this late without checking in with someone first.

Eyes were suddenly cast to the skies, as Macks' CB radio screeched yet again, Siddley saying "We're almost there, I'm seeking to land..." Mack shined his headlights on the vacant lot he happened to be next to, it was big enough for Siddley to land on. Luigi, Guido, Ramone, Flo, Sally, and Red followed his example.

"I see the spot your illuminating," said Sid, appreciating that they had thought to make it easier for him to land. "Heading your way."

Sid landed expertly, and Finn rolled out followed by Holley. "Where's Lightning?" Finn asked scanning the group.

"He's off looking for Mater," Flo explained, "Sheriff and Sarge are off looking too..." she glanced around, "Fillmore, where did you get to?"

"I'm over here man," Fillmore rolled over "I was checking the salvage yard for clues, and look what I found!"

"What?" everyone seemingly replied at once, and Fillmore flinched, "I found these brochure pamphlet thingies, man." he wheeled them over to Finn, who was closer to him.

"Looks like he was reading up on caves, but how does that help us?"

"Simple!" an unfamiliar voice rang from up the road, "So amazingly simple!" A strange car wheeled up to the group, being closely pursued by Sarge, Sheriff, and Lightning.

"We found this loony sneaking around the wheel well." Sheriff explained, "I tried to talk to him, but he refused to stop!" He huffed, then continued, "I should impound you!"

"Spelunking!" The strange car proclaimed, "He's gone spelunking!"

"Hold up a second," Finn waived his front tire in the air, hoping to quiet the car down," Agent Gears, calm down!"

Agent Gears rolled his eyes, "Mater's gone spelunking," he said calmly, "He's naturally adventurous and when last seen, was not only looking for something; but also procured a roap from Sarge and new headlights from Ramone!"

"Sounds like Mater," Holly said, then she suddenly jumped up, "Maybe he got lost in a cave!"

Finn wheeled forward, and then said, "Okay, I'll run a scan looking for caverns..." Finn looked to the group, "In the mean time..."

He pointed at Ramone and Mack, " I need you guys to gather medical supplies and put them in Lightnings trailer." Both nodded and then Ramone headed for the clinic ad Mack went to get his trailer. Then he pointed to Luigi and Guido, "I need you guys to get four tires of the type and size of Maters' tires, just in case he just needs tires." Luigi nodded and drove off decisively while Guido took the time to say 'pit stop!' before leaving.

Finn pointed at Fillmore and smiled, "He might need fuel, and I understand that yours is the best..." Fillmore replied "Yeah, okay man!" before driving to his hut to fetch the fuel.

"As soon as the mobile care unit is ready..." Finn paused then shook his head, the results of his scan had come in. "There are six caverns big enough for Mater."

Holly pulled up a map with six blinking dots, which were scattered all over. "I think," Holly spoke, "that Mack and Ramone should stay in the center of town."

Agent Gears honked in agreement, "Yes, that way they can get to where Mater is quicker."

He laughed, "Once we find him, they need only to head in the correct direction!" Gears then rolled up to Sheriff, "Sheriff, I want you to help split up the others into search teams."

He looked around... "There are twelve of us available for search duty, that means two cars per cave." Sheriff nodded then he started to pair them off while assigning them to a cavern. "Sarge, you and Fillmore head over to the cavern that's just outside of your boot camp."

Sarge stiffened and saluted, "Yes sir!" then he turned to Fillmore, "come on hippie, we're off!" With that, Sarge and Fillmore drove off.

"Luigi, you go with Guido towards... this one here." He said gesturing with his antenna at the map. Luigi and Guido responded in the affirmative and then both sped off.

"Lizzie... you can go with Flo, if you want... "Why sure, this sounds like fun!" Lizzie rolled forward, "We'll take that one," said Flo, "It doesn't look too far."

Flo and Lizzie then headed off. "Holly and Finn, I want you guys to take this one..." Sheriff paused, "Um, Lightning with me to the farther one...so that way we can go a bit faster"

he said, flicking on his light to make a point.

"I guess," Agent Gears pondered, "that means me and Red are going to investigate the last one."

Red shifted nervously, and Agent Gears laughed "Don't worry big fella, I don't bite!" Red nodded, still unsure of the red 1957 Chevrolet Corvette.

Meanwhile

Mater sits lonely and cold, his tow cable stuck under a sizable rock. that he had been unable to move. A minor cave in had partially sealed the entrance, only allowing a small sliver of light to shine in. Mater shivered, afraid of what might be in the cave. Wondering how he was going to escape, and when his friends were going to find him.

)()()()()()()()()()()()()(

A/N: Who will be the ones to find him, and what will happen to each individual search team?