“We don’t have to worry about missing anything,” Will said. “Giz will update the map and report noteworthy findings when it returns to signal range. But if it makes you feel better…”
On the map, Gizmo’s dot flew nearer by five meters, so as to ensure a more stable connection. It maintained that range as the party advanced.
“Thank you,” Rhea said.
They soon came upon a branch. Will had Gizmo take the detour, while the others waited.
“All right, listen up,” Will said. “Giz just reached the range limit. I’m going to have her continue onward for another ten minutes, with instructions to explore any side passages, and if the tunnel doesn’t end, I’ll have her return. At that point, I’ll send her to map the forward direction the same way. Then we’ll decide which route we want to take.”
Gizmo’s dot froze on the overhead map as the drone passed out of range.
“Making you antsy?” Will asked.
Rhea glanced at him. “What? The frozen drone indicator?”
Will nodded that polygonal head.
“A little,” she said. “But I suppose if Gizmo doesn’t come back, we know we’re not alone. I just wish the news could reach us faster.”
The party didn’t have long to wait however: Gizmo returned to signal range after only three minutes.
“Well, looks like that way is a dead end,” Will said. “We proceed forward after all.”
The drone arrived and vanished down the main tunnel. Sebastian took the lead once more.
They spent the rest of that day exploring. The tunnel seemed to wind on forever. It branched off occasionally, and at times Gizmo returned after ten minutes in either direction. They followed the rule of labyrinths, and picked the rightmost route every time, but more often than not, usually after twenty to thirty minutes, the path ended in a dead end, and they had to backtrack.
Finally, when it was late evening—at least according to their internal clocks—the party reached a wide cavern that was filled with stalagmites.
“All right, this is as good a spot as any to rest for a few hours,” Will said.
“You actually want to rest while those creatures are out there?” Rhea asked incredulously. “We should press on.”
“Hey, I’m human,” he said. “I need at least a couple of hours of sleep.”
“Even humans can forgo sleep during times of need…” Horatio said.
“Maybe so, but I don’t see the point at the moment, as this doesn’t really qualify as a time of need,” Will told him. “If those creatures were right behind us, as in we could see their ugly reptilian heads bearing down on us, then I’d agree with you. But they’re not. And let’s say they’ve actually drilled their way through the collapse and are inside the tunnel, which is likely by now. It’ll still take them a lot longer to reach this cavern than we did, given how cramped the route is for them. Assuming they’re not discouraged by the tight confines in the first place. No, we can sleep for a few hours, I think.”
“How do you know they don’t have baby Hydras they can send inside to hunt us?” Rhea pressed. “You know, smaller versions of themselves that can better fit?”
“Then I guess we’ll be shooting down babies tonight,” Will said, sitting down.
As usual, Sebastian sat apart from the others. Rhea appreciated that. After the look she had seen in his eyes earlier, she doubted she was going to get much rest. Even with Horatio and Gizmo standing guard.
No, there will be no rest for me. I’ll be watching him the whole time.
Gizmo flitted away into the darkness, and Rhea glanced at Will questioningly.
“Sending her ahead to do some preliminary mapping for the usual ten minutes.” Will smiled on the LIDAR. “If the drone doesn’t return, we know we’re not alone.”
“Since when did you start referring to the drone as a ‘she’ anyway?” Rhea asked.
Will shrugged, then lay down. “Wake me if there’s trouble.” In only a few moments, he was fast asleep.
Ten minutes passed. Rhea was relieved when the drone returned to comm range and appeared on the overhead map once more. Her data updated, revealing several new caverns adjoining this one.
Well, looks like we gots ourselves an extensive system of chambers ahead, Horatio transmitted over a private line to Rhea alone. Guess we’ll find out where they lead in a few hours.
The reassuring susurrations of Gizmo’s motors came from overhead as the drone assumed a holding pattern almost directly above. While the cramped confines of the chamber intensified the sound, it was still barely audible—though if she really wanted to, she could activate her enhanced hearing to make it even louder.
Out of curiosity, she did just that, and she listened very carefully for any strange noises that might signify the approach of bioweapons. She heard nothing about the gentle humming of the rotors.
Sighing, she reverted her hearing, and glanced at Horatio. How did we end up here, trapped beneath thousands of tons of solid rock, running from creatures designed to kill us? We’re supposed to be salvagers. Purveyor of spare parts and all things metal. She shook her head. What if we don’t make it out? What if we run out of oxygen? So many what ifs, all of them negative.
Focus on the positive, Horatio said. That’s what I always do. I don’t have to worry about oxygen and food. That’s a positive for me. And for you, well, you still have oxygen, and a good supply of rations. We’re all still alive and fighting.
She smiled. Never thought I’d be schooled in positivity by a robot.
Just because I’m a robot, doesn’t mean I’m unfeeling, Horatio sent. We’ll make it out, somehow. You’ll see. He paused. I have to believe that.
I hope you’re right. Rhea sat back, lying down.
