He and Sam planned a slightly longer journey with that in mind. Not only to see the ruins of the city but take a few days to see what was around. What was viable. Where they could start their own community near the village.
After looking at the sky one more time, he tucked his clipboard under his arm and fixed his watch.
“Really?” Merks walked up behind him. “You adjusted the time.”
“Yes, sir, I did. Unless the sun changed I am gonna guess it’s about ten fifteen in the morning.”
“Good to know.”
“Did you see how pretty the big blue is in the sky? It’s like when you used to see the moon during the day.”
“Looks pretty incredible, like we are on some other planet.”
“Anyone making any guesses?” Tucker asked. “I mean, after seeing the movie that had to cross their minds.”
“You know more than me, I saw you talking to them.”
“That’s because I needed to know if anyone had some know-how. We’re leaving Gonk and he’s not very trained.”
“In?”
“Well, knowing the volatile history of this planet. I set up a seismograph and a barometer to monitor activity. We need someone to watch to see if we are getting increases or changes quickly coming in the weather.”
Merks nodded, impressed. “Very good thinking. Did you find anyone?”
“As a matter of fact, surprisingly one of the families has a daughter that wanted to be a weather girl,” Tucker said. “I know what you’re thinking, ‘oh boy, a weather girl, probably flighty and did it for the fame.’”
“Actually, that wasn’t what I was thinking.”
“Oh, okay,” Tucker said. “Maybe it was just me. But they actually have to learn the stuff. Had to give her some quick tips on the seismic activity but she seems pretty quick and smart. I gave her a tablet; she’ll watch the readings and let Gonk know if there’s a problem.”
“Do you think maybe I should stay behind in case I should move the ship?” Merks asked. “What are your readings now?”
“Good. I mean. I think we’re fine. I really do,” Tucker said. “Should take you a couple hours to get to the village. Jenny can handle any problems you two encounter on the road. Sam’s GPS system should lead you there with minimal problems. I think the only worry you should have is problems with the natives.”
“True.
“Maybe bring a gift,” Tucker suggested. “They’ve probably been there a while. We don’t even know if they’re part of the ARC.”
“They could be descendants of survivors. Let me think on the gift. And, Tucker, it’s good to have you on the team.”
“Well, that’s nice of you to say now that we’re here.” Tucker smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He looked over his shoulder. “I see Sam is ready. I wanna give this clipboard to Matty,” he said. “I want her to chart her readings.”
“Sounds good.” He extended his hand. “Good luck, and though we don’t know if it’s possible, make sure you at least try to stay in contact.”
“Will do.” Tucker shook his hand and, with that clipboard, sought out Matty to discuss readings one more time.
Tucker was excited to get going. He wanted to see what was out there. They may have known where they were, but the ‘when’ was still up in the air. Tucker knew, just by the ruins that remained, they were nowhere near as far in the future as the landscape suggested.
Hopefully with the exploration they’d get a good idea of how far into the future they’d jumped.
TWELVE
A strange, steady breeze made controlling the buggy difficult at times. It was odd to Merks, relying on a GPS that didn’t mention roads. Only an electronic sounding voice stating commands like ‘stay left’ and ‘in one hundred feet clearing moves to the right.’
It was a good thing the system had imaging, which Pusk watched as Merks drove.
At least six times they had to stop on the fifty-three-mile journey to look for themselves because it looked like they were driving right into a wall.
“They travel outside their village,” Pusk said. “Carriages, horses…they’ve been this way.”
“There are clearings.”
She nodded. “Which leaves me to wonder if they are the only village, or if there are others.”
“We didn’t spot any.”
“Doesn’t mean that they aren’t there,” she said. “Stop.”
“Why?” Merks asked as he brought the buggy to a halt. “Are we there?”
“Not quite. Almost. But we can’t go any further,” she said. “There’s a wall.”
“I don’t see it. Just trees.”
“Another fifty feet it will come into view.”
“Does the system say it’s a wall?”
Pusk held up the small tablet. The images weren’t satellite images. They were real-time diagrams collected by the scanner on the buggy. Blue background with light blue 3D style line drawings.
Merks continued driving, this time slower. The GPS didn’t call out any commands, there really wasn’t anywhere to go. It looked like a forest before them.
He pulled over then took a minute to disconnect the starter for safe keeping. He grabbed a backpack, Pusk grabbed hers, and they headed to the woods.
“The wall is right ahead. I don’t know how we’re missing it,” she said. “Scan says it’s twenty feet high.”
“The trees are thick. Are we headed in the right direction at least?”
“We are. The village is a half-mile from where we are. Not far from the wall.”
“If they built a twenty-foot wall, makes me wonder what they’re trying to keep out.”
A snap of a twig drew Merks’s attention, and he extended his arm, stopping Pusk. “Did you hear that?” he asked.
“I didn’t. Maybe it’s an animal.”
Another snaping sound and within seconds, the crunch of footsteps carried their way.
Before they could react or even comprehend what was happening, four men appeared before them. One carried a rifle, the other three bows and arrows.
“Stop right there,” the man with the rifle said. He was a younger man, early twenties.
Merk raised his hands.
