Through the Wormhole

Chapter VI: Journey to the Carboniferous

Cleaning took longer than expected. It was evident that PPMC did that intentionally because she kept bringing already-washed dishes to Dan, annoying the heck out of him. Eventually, she stopped messing with him and got him the rocket boots.

Sturdy like a rock, the gray, robotic-like boots donned heels and straps.

Dan carried them outside to Rodinia and faced PPMC's hands. "Now, rocket boots are quite simple," he explained, remembering Portals and Aliens. "You slip them over your shoes like so." He forced his feet into the boots. "Strap yourself in like so." Dan messed with the straps and buckles. "And walla! You're ready to conquer the world!" With the boots' heels, he had grown another few inches.

Dan grasped his hips and smiled snootily at PPMC. "Finally, allow me to show you how they work." He took one step forward. "First—"

Boom!

The rocket boots went off, and Dan flew into the sky, screaming.

They jerked him left, right, and left again and chucked him into Mirovia, flying off his feet.

At once, Dan swam to the surface and freed his head.

PPMC laughed on the continent, and the rocket boots floated beside her. "Yo, Dan! You need to stop relying on video games for your Oh, I know everything phases."

"But I do know everything!" he countered. Well, maybe about geologic time, but after that... No, Dan refused to succumb to his flaws.

He free-styled to shore and joined PPMC and the rocket boots. "Okay, PPMC, maybe I need just a little refresher." He emphasized by bending his thumb and index finger.

"Are all teenage boys this egocentric?" PPMC inquired, shrugging. "Whatever. Like most 3000s technology, rocket boots are AI-powered, meaning you must earn their trust to use them properly. How did you earn your hoverscooter's trust?"

"Um," Dan stuttered, "it was more Mom did, and she asked it to give me a chance. Hoverscooter 23 was originally hers."

"Oh, well, this will be fun, then." PPMC turned her hands. "Now, rocket boots, Dan and I are traveling to a volcano mass later, but Dan's hoverscooter can't get too close to them. Therefore, would you be a doll and lend this crazed geologic time fan a hand? He's not so bad once you get used to him."

The boots glanced from her, Dan, and back to PPMC.

"Please?" she whined.

Dan hated that a starship was more intelligent than him. The last time he was that embarrassed was when he accidentally blew up his old computer.

The boots hesitated, but they finally approached Dan and allowed him to put them on again.

"Whoa, whoa," he said when he lifted a few feet off Rodinia, wobbling like an injured pterosaur.

"There you go." PPMC steadied him. "Let's take it slow and easy, Daniel. Give the boots an order, and see what happens."

Or he could just wing in, but for PPMC's sake, Dan ordered, "Go up." He went up higher and dropped back onto Rodinia.

"Not bad. Just make sure you don't slump. It may interfere with the AI's signal." PPMC grasped Dan's shoulders and straightened him. "Okay, you should be good to give it another spin. Be confident, and trust the rocket boots."

Dan nodded. Inhaling, he peered into the clear Precambrian sky. The boots started under him, and Dan shot into it, still wobbling maniacally. He stayed close to PPMC until he felt more confident, but overconfidence was his worst enemy.

The boots threw him back into Mirovia but didn't fly off that time.

"Son of a—!" Dan heard PPMC complain after he dragged himself out of the ocean. Her hands approached him. "Impatience is the worst thing you can do with rocket boots!"