Campfire Road

Ring Around the Rosy

Eric is still laughing as they stop before the first joining tunnel.

Jake pushes his shoulder, "Enough.
"Shall we keep going up?"

Eric shrugs and his humored mood sounds, "We're on your dumb idea.
"It's up to you."

Jake rolls his eyes and keeps going up, "This isn't a dumb idea."

Eric comes along, "Of course it is, that's why I'm sure it will work.
"He's expecting us to do something smart."

Jake feels doubtful and it doubles when his phone rings.

"How do I still have my phone?"

Eric watches with fear as Jake takes his phone out and connects the call from Service Provider with no number.

The voice is undeniably computer generated, but high quality, "Greeting, valued customer.
"You are about to exceed your astro-data plan.
"Do you wish to take an emergency action?"

Jake questions, "What options do I have?"

"Many, as SahdowD will always provide the maximum service possible.

"You're plan has six remaining prepaid Astro Emergency Credits.

"Your AECs each offer you a thirty hour astro service block.
"You can also use one as a channel to return to your body.

"You can choose to have your physical device go into beacon mood, homing mood or self destruct.

"I can also get an emergency message to your plan holder of your service concerns. That will include a one hundred second audio message from you.

"You can also just turn your astro service off.

"I can also connect you with a biological customer service representative of ShadowD to analysis your situation and recommend a course of action."

Jake hums to let the computer know he's thinking it over. "Can I pick more than one?"

"Of course, sir."

Jake nods, "I'd like to use an the AEC extended service and activate homing mood."

"Very good, sir.
"Did you wish that in stealth?"

"Yes, please."

"The interface will be in your top right pull down.
"Thank you for choosing ShadowD.
"Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Jake smiles, "No, thank you.
"You've been effective and pleasant."

"Thank you, Sir. Enjoy your astro travels."

The call ends and Jake accesses the interface.

Eric comes close to see, "So your phone is back the way we came.
"Not much help."

Jake snickers as he select to overlay the homing to a map. "Look at that.

"My phone is at your house.
"For astro mood to work, the phone has to be on my body.

"It was the davers."

Eric grunts under his breath, "Dirty trick.
"Well, we can astro home now.
"That is if we survive the tether."

Jake suggests, "We could find a way to cut the tethers?"

Eric sasses, "Oh, sure, that's easy.
"Randomly guess what your pet skinwalker chose to tie us up to.

"We know it has to be a live.
"So that narrows it down to any living thing he can touch.

"Wanna guess first?"