FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R F I F T Y

"What do you see?" Hunter asked from below. The cable swayed from both of us adjusting our weight and grips while we hovered. I scanned the area, pinpointing the underground river and the layout of the wide, conical room. Right before my eyes, the CPU grid calculated a built-in clinometer, the flowmeter of the rapids, the temperature and humidity of the cave, its physical dimensions, oxygen levels, the composition and structure of the rocks and minerals infused within the walls and ceiling, and additional intricate features I didn't know where to begin to describe. I was absolutely gobsmacked. My mouth gaped, auditing small squeaks before I could configure an actual thought.

"I see everything." My voice cracked with exhileration. My head bobbed down and over. "Including, a thin ledge along the wall that stretches all the way down the river. On our right." I paused as the electronic brain provided new data. "It's at a sharp angle of ten point three meters. Trajectory of our flight pattern from our current position to the ledge will need to be seventy-three percent accurate in order to survive the ordeal. Recommendations ill-advised?" I didn't know whether to snort or protest at the comical suggestion. "As in falling straight into the current is a better option?" Moving my chin down dead center, the computer outlined Hunter's body. Omega's bow hung on his left arm.

"Focus, Fern." he implored, looking up at me then side to side, then back to me. "Alright, start swinging." At first, I thought he was joking, but I was serious on there being only one other alternative. I shrugged to myself and slowly begin to move my hips back and forth—it quickly occurred to the both of us that Hunter should've been above me since he was heavier than I was, which would assist in building momentum... Nevertheless, we synced our rhythm and, like a pendulum, gradually increased our oscillation. The cool rush of air bit at my arms with every fluctuating motion.

"Fern, you go first." Hunter called.

"Oo—kay." I sucked air through my teeth as I prepared myself. Sure, it wouldn't be the end of the world if I missed the ledge and toppled into the river—assuming since Tech and Omega survived the ordeal after cascading over a evidential waterfall—but I would rather stick by Hunter and Wrecker. Also, I was the one handling almost a dozen highly-volatile vials of ipsium...

One...I counted to myself. "Two." I said aloud so the sergeant was aware. "Three!" My fingers released the moment we reached the extreme position of the pendulum and my body was launched at a steep decline. My stomach lurched upward into my ribcage. My arms spread out and my toes pointed in decent landing formation. The bright grid visualize the outcome the instant I disconnected, and confidence surged within me when it anticipated a successful one. The balls of my feet planted firmly on the rigid jut and I thrusted forward on impact, slamming my torso and nose into the moist wall.

Clink, clink. Clink. My heart nearly stopped when I caught the muffled sound of the vials tapping into one another in my bag. I squeezed my eyes shut. My breath shuddered as I waited for an impending BOOM of combusting ipsium. A second later, nothing happened. I peeked one eye open before blinking twice with consolation I was not blown to kingdom come.

"Ha!" I exhaled sharply, an elated grin crept across my face. My fingertips crunched into the slippery rock until they managed to hook into tiny divots. As I slowly lowered myself, my heels just barely hanging off the edge, I pursed my lips. "Ha, okay. Okay. I made it!" I shouted the last part, then I remembered I didn't need to because Tech's helmet had built-in comms.

"Good. On my way." Hunter said from up above. As he built back up his amplitude, I easily pivoted so that my back and heels pressed against the wall, the condensation dripped down my collared neck and soaked into my skin-tight top. "Wait for my signal, Hunter." I ordered. "I'll tell you when."

"Got it."

As if to grant my wishes, the CPU locked onto him and processed his stunt to the finest details right before my eyes. Once again, my jaw dropped in amazement while simultaneously watching for the perfect launch sequence. In my mind, the countdown began. "On the next swing...Now!" Hunter hunkered down on the last stroke and skillfully projected himself just as I did and the moment he touched down next to me, I slammed my arm into his lower back to brace him. The plasma bow hanging on his arm just barely whacked the side of Tech's helmet.

"Phew..." I whistled.

"You can say that again." Hunter turned his head to me.

"In any other situation, I would kiss you right now." I smirked.

"The feeling's mutual." he chuckled.

"So," I exhaled, glancing up where the cable swayed. "who's going to tell him?"

All things considered, Wrecker took the game plan mighty well. With his slight disadvantage of carrying Tech's gear, he sluggishly stooped down the line with one hand, his nervous fussing filled my ears through the comm device. At least he wasn't chattering under his breath about his fear of heights—although the roar of the rapids resonated through my shivered skin, the river itself wasn't visible in the dark. "Throw me the pack." Hunter said. The muscular clone did so with pristine accuracy—I had to credit where credit was due, Wrecker had phenomenal aim. "Alright, you big oaf. There is nothing to worry about. I have the eyes of a satillite." I saluted the dangling clone, even though he couldn't see it. "I will guide you through this."

Calamity avoided. Wrecker followed my instructions to a T, dropping anchor right between me and Hunter. As I had done with the latter, we both crossed our arms and locked in the muscular clone's landing against the wall.

"Well done." I congratulated our survival. "Onward."

The three of us scooted our way down the thin ledge, which was delineate by bright yellow lines in the high-tech visor. My toes continued to tease danger; I didn't dare gaze down at Wrecker's feet in fear it would send his anxiety and mine to the surface.

"Hey, Fern." The big guy next to me said.

"Yeah?" My voice lightly strained from my craning neck while I shuffled.

"Thanks for standing up for me back there. About the ship, I mean."

A small smile crept across my lips as I scoffed through my nose. "Of course, you big oaf. It wasn't your fault, after all. Just a bit of bad luck. No matter what, we will work things out from here."

"Yeah, you're right." Wrecker chuckled heartily. "Like you always are!"

"Hold up." I halted in my tracks. "We've reached the end of the line." I scanned over the river, freezing-cold waves lapping dangerously up the jut's edge and dousing and biting our ankles. "I see an underwater tunnel in which the channel funnels through. That is where we'll spill over the waterfall on the other side. Or, at least, I think. Either way, we have to jump from here."

"Oh, great..." I equalized with Wrecker's enthusiasm.

"Fern, be sure to keep a good grip on that ipsium." Hunter reminded me, to which I hummed in response. I mindfully restuffed Omega's headgear and satchel and inhaled through my nose.

"See you two on the other side." I quipped, and jumped.