The Disillusion Mountains

Chapter 5

    "Welcome to the National Park Service. I'm Ranger Jacobs. How can I help you?" 

    Nimma smiled back at the man behind the desk. The Disillusion Mountains had been designated a national park back in 1902. It was unusual to need permission to enter a national park as they were normally huge tourist destinations. The Disillusion Mountains were no ordinary park.

    They stretched the entire south side of the island three thousand miles from coast to coast in a half circle. Most people lived north of them because the majority of Myras extended away from the mountains. There were small settlements on the other side but there wasn't much land there. The mountain range at its thinnest was three miles and at its widest five.

    There were lakes, forests, boulder fields and an abundance of wild and dangerous animals. Ancient Myrasians had lived in them and left their marks in several places. The reason travel was restricted to all but a select few were the myriad of dangers and the countless people that had gone missing. Wild animals were often the least of anyone's problems up there.

    Avalanches, rock slides, landslides, sheering winds to push someone down or worse over cliffs, and extensive cave systems with a nasty habit of collapsing; these probably had something to do with the ancestors decision to leave the mountains for the valleys below. The huge number of missing person cases associated with them gave the mountains a reputation for being cursed. Every time someone went up and didn't come down another was added to the tally that reinforced the idea. They still did have that reputation but Nimma wasn't a believer.

    "I'd like a permit to go to Shadow Cat Canyon."

    Ranger Jacobs raised an eyebrow. "For what purpose, Miss...?"

    "Nimma. I'm writing a book about how well our ancestors lived there and trying to see a cause for why they left. You know they lived there for thousands of years. Shadow Cat Canyon is one of the best preserved sites they frequented. It's an essential part of my research." Nimma made the decision to lie early on in this process. If she'd just told the truth and said, 'I'm going after Regina's gold,' they'd of turned her down flat.

    The Rangers patrolled certain areas of the mountains that were easily accessed looking for people who decided to sneak in. Most didn't make it far and were caught quickly. They also came across skeletons of the unfortunate that weren't found in time. If they found you alive you faced a hefty fine or jail time depending on what they caught you doing.

    "We only issue permits to people if they go up with one of our own. It's a safety measure. You'll need to fill out these forms." He pulled a small packet from a drawer and handed it over. "It will take about three days for our board to approve or deny your request. If approved we will assign a guide to you as soon as one becomes available."

    The packet consisted of a waiver stating she accepted the risks of going to such a dangerous place, and in the event Nimma died or went missing, her surviving family wouldn't sue. There was also a form wanting a thorough reason and expected duration for the trip, as well as a detailed map of the route she planned to take. The latter was in case she did go missing so the Rangers would have a good idea of the search area.

    "I want to start on Morik 19. It's important it be no later."

    "I'm afraid getting someone that early won't be possible."

    "Why?"

    "This time of year the majority of our Rangers are busy doing repair work down at Sequioa National Park. It gets heavily trafficked every year; the trails and fences always need work. Before the season starts we make sure that as much of it as possible is seen to. It's so large that repairs often go well into the season. Any remaining Rangers are needed for other work and can't be spared."

    "How much would it cost to get someone from Sequioa?" Nimma tapped a pen on the papers she'd begun to fill out.

    "Unless you're a millionaire there's no amount of money you could offer to justify pulling someone. That park represents the majority of our livelihood in this area. If you want to go to Shadow Cat Canyon you'll have to delay your trip by a month at the earliest. Though it's likely someone couldn't be provided until mid or late summer."

    "I'm former Special Forces and have survivalist training. I have the documents to prove it. Is there any way an exception could be made so I can go alone?"

    "No. When did you serve? You look pretty young."

    "I joined when I was still in school. I was in the Air Force, 7 Airborne Greyhawk. When Draconia blew up in civil war I was stationed over there. Spent years running missions to help the Royalist forces until I was shot down, injured, and medically retired two years ago." Nimma pulled up her sleeve to show him the tattoo everyone in her company got upon graduating.

    The silver wings, blue stars, and her company number shone out from her skin with a faint glow. Unlike civilian tattoos it was done in a luminous ink made by the military and given exclusively to service members. How the ink was made was a carefully guarded secret and being caught trying to reproduce it carried heavy penalties. She tapped the center of the wings and the glow faded with a double tap the light returned.

    "My son's a Marine. He's still over there." Ranger Jacob rubbed at his grey beard. "There's only one man that might be able to do this on that time table." He pulled a blue business card from its stand. "He used to work for us but left two years ago for a higher paying job. Not that I can fault him for that. His name's Grant Vega. He was one of the best. Last I heard he was working at Ascella Tours, Trekking and Climbing. I can't guarantee he'll take the job but if he does, and your permit request passes, I'll drive you out to your starting point."

🌺

    Nimma had recognized the Ascella Tours, Trekking and Climbing logo from the business card Ranger Jacobs gave her. Not because she'd ever used the indoor climbing walls or booked a tour but because Selmmie's daughter was an active member of their Junior Climbers Club. Eridani wore enough of their merchandise that the girl almost always was a walking advertisement.

    "Come on, guys! We're gonna be late. We can't be late when it's my turn to lead the group up the walls."

    "You just wanna boss everyone around." Nimma joked from the passenger seat. The thirteen year old lightly kicked at Nimma's seat.

    "No kicking." Selmmie ordered just as they pulled into the parking lot. Eridani jumped out of the car and scurried for the building. Nimma smirked when she noticed Selmmie putting on a shade of red lipstick. She winked at Nimma and followed her daughter with almost but not quite a spring in her step.