OCCULTA

Written by: Chris Fennell, Anne Grimm, Megan Hasenwinkel, and Rachel Seow

Written for Vibs Petersen, FYS 27
December 11, 1997

CHAPTER 14

The hunt for the hoverlift wasn't nearly as hard as he thought it would be. The most difficult part was the long walk out to where he thought it crashed. Sim was forced to set up camp when evening came and it became too dark to see easily. The food and blankets which Analise packed up for him went to good use, and he was totally refreshed in the morning. He quickly spotted signs of the craft not far from where he had camped. Even though it was slightly grown over, Sim could easily spot a path that was dug out of the natural spread of the forest. Once found, it only became a matter of following the path to it's end.

The walk was a little longer than he expected. It must have stretched for nearly a mile before he spotted the hoverlift. The craft was wedged between two thick trees, but apparently it had sustained little structural damage. The surface of it was blackened and the external sensors looked fried, but it was still in one piece. He walked around one of the trees and decided to check out the inside.

Apparently the surrounding foliage had decided to spread into the hole the chair had made in the cockpit, but other then that, things looked clean and in place. Sim nearly jumped out of his skin when the computer started to reboot and all the electrical systems flickered on. He walked up to the display screen and called up the flight log. After he ejected, the craft was able to right itself and make a relatively soft crash landing. Once on the ground, the computer immediately set itself to the task of preparing the hoverlift for its next flight. It showed all major systems functional, except for the communications and most of the external sensors. Startled by this stroke of good fortune, Sim climbed into the secondary chair and started up the repulsers.

The craft ripped itself out of its lodged position and rocketed up to a hover over the tree tops. The self-automation had totally repaired the hoverlift's inner systems and had them running like new. However, since it lacked the ability to do external repairs, he would have to put up with the air rushing in through the hole to his side. Also without the communications, it looked like he would have to appear unannounced; but maybe this surprise will somehow give him the upper hand.

Sim activated the rout recall command and sat back to think about how he was going to convince them that they needed his help. The best and most direct path would be to go straight to the top. He would park the hoverlift right outside the Executive Building and walk straight into the central offices. He would talk with The Executive and show how a connection between both the peoples of Pullus would be mutually beneficial. Maybe he could convince The Executive to make a personal visit to the village. By influencing the will of The Executive, he could coordinate the direction taken by the populous as a whole. Yes, The Executive was the key to unlocking the potential of the Pullusians.

Sim looked down at the display and noticed that he was near the coordinates of the anomaly. Not seeing the tell tale sign of the smoke, he started searching the ground to see what had come of it. He couldn't identify anything until he was nearly right over it. The mound of the once furious inferno was now being covered over by plant-life. It looked like it was falling back into the forest from which it emerged. It was surprising how something so singular and awe-inspiring could disappear as if it had never been.

Simeon leaned back in the chair and started thinking about Analise. These thoughts soon turned into dreams, and he found himself sleeping the rest of the ride.

Continue to Chapter 15