Author's note: I just took a current events test that I did pretty badly on, so I'm trying to find a way to forget. Working on this story is as good a way to forget as any.
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Chapter 7: Spelunking
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The cave was very impressive. I was surprised that I could see around; I expected the place to be as dark as midnight. Deciding not to ask questions, I continued in.
Soon, the cave narrowed into a small circular opening a little under a yard in diameter. I tried to crawl through, but I just wouldn't fit. My thoughts made it through my mouth: "How in the world am I supposed to get through this stupid hole? There's got to be a way. Wait, I think I have it!"
Backing up a few yards with my wings closed, I dashed at the hole, curling into a ball as I approached, just as I'd done during my VR training. I zoomed through the hole and popped out at the other end, then got up.
I looked around, and quickly determined that I was no longer in an ordinary cave. I was now in some kind of mine. Coal? Jewels? Rare minerals? I had no way of knowing.
At that moment, the Tails phone (as I began to call it) rang, and I answered. "Hey, Tails. Did you need something?"
"Yes, I did. In order to complete my latest experiment, I'll need the oil of a lantern. If you find a lantern of some kind, be sure to bring it to me."
"Thanks, Tails, I will." I hung up and stowed the phone.
A mine cart rested on a track that led deep into the darkness. I peered into it; it was empty except for a miner's pick and helmet. Figuring nobody would miss the stuff, I took the pick, put on the helmet, and hopped into the cart for a ride.
How would I get it going, though? I could not reach the ground from inside the cart, and if I got out and pushed it, it might get away from me. The cart had a seat, though, so it had to be intended for riding in. What was the secret behind it?
I paused to think about physics. To start the car, I needed forward thrust. To do that, I had to push back on something. I couldn't reach the ground, so there had to be a way to push back on the air. I also knew that when I flew, my forward thrust was due to the movement of my wings, which pushed on the air- and suddenly, I knew exactly what to do!
Carefully, I leaned forward and opened my wings, so that they were outside the car. I started my wings, and the car shuddered, then started to rush forward. When I had some good momentum, I closed my wings and enjoyed the ride as much as I could.
The end of the ride arrived a bit before I expected. The cart collided with a track-end bumper, throwing me clear into the wall. The pick I'd picked up got stuck in the side of the cave, and I pulled it free, then looked through the hole it'd made.
Someone in the next area was muttering to himself as he rested in a chair. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite put a feather on it. The door into the room required a password to open, and I had no clue what it was.
A clipboard rested on a crate. I read it: "I managed to install a temperature system in the cave which tells me when it gets cold, so I can come out and get my coat. I'm not too good at judging temperatures. There are four sensors around the cave which analyze the temperature, and they're all averaged and sent to me."
I smirked. I guess this was written by that guy I saw, I thought to myself. If I can find these four sensors and do something about them, I might be able to drive this guy out of his little hidey-hole and find out about him.
Looking around, I spotted something on the wall. I flew up and examined it; it was one of the sensors for sure. It sensed the temperature between two contacts and sent that info … somewhere.
An idea quickly sprung to mind. I calmly withdrew an Ice Feather from my leg and stuck it between the contacts, bending it so that it wouldn't fall out. Now I had to find the other three sensors.
I decided to take another mine cart, which was right nearby. As I began to ride forward, the cart suddenly stalled and rolled back to its starting point. I climbed out, confused.
Figuring there was something wrong with the track, I went ahead of the cart and examined the rails. The track merged with another track around where the cart had stalled, and I quickly spotted the problem: it was a switchable track, and it was going the wrong way!
The switch for the track in question was right nearby, and I grabbed it and gave it a heave. An audible CLICK told me that the points had changed, and I tried the cart again. This time, my trip had no interruptions.
THUD! Once again, I was thrown free when the cart stopped. "Man, these carts need shock absorbers," I muttered as I dusted myself off after the landing.
Up ahead, a pile of rocks blocked the way. I cleared them away quickly with the pick, and got through. Among the rocks, I found an old-fashioned lantern, which I picked up. Tails requested something like it, but for now, it could light my way.
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Well, I guess now is as good a time as any to end the chapter.
Quote of the Chapter:
"I don't know what's making me want to throw up more, the rocking of this cruise ship or that stupid jingle."
-Unnamed tourist, Trouble on Toy Island, Ch. 3