Starfall

Chapter 27 - Talos IV

The sun was setting below the horizon as the last of the fulgent sunlight entering the valley bled into orange and golden rays. The impending cliff walls of the valley and the tall pines cast shadows across the road as they took the main road exiting the valley.

Ford and Dipper had hastily packed the tracking equipment, namely the Q.W.A.R.K. tuner while Mabel waited in the car with Kendra. Everyone had changed out of their costumes and now had on street clothes. They were ready to leave. Grunkle Stan crammed into the passenger seat of the Stan-Mobile while Ford took the wheel. In the past, Stanley always drove, but after a year of nervous commentary and interminable back-seat driving, Stanley pulled over slamming on the brakes till smoke rose from the tires as he pulled off on the shoulder. Several people waved...all but one of their fingers that is. Stanley said, "I can't take it! Your nagging is giving me an ulcer. You don't like my driving? Fine! From now on Poindexter, you're driving."

From that day forward Ford always drove, which in everyone's opinion was safer. While Ford drove Stanley navigated. "I know which way Fort Vancouver is," Ford snapped. Stanley snorted and folded the map haphazardly creasing it unevenly as he folded it before placing it in the glove compartment. Ford and Dipper cringed, their delicate OCD violated by the harsh map handling. Dipper had not spoken a word since entering the car. Mabel was only too sure why. Kendra sat with her arms folded and legs neatly crossed avoiding eye contact with Dipper.

Mabel passed the time by jamming out to her music and doodling on her phone with her stylus. Before long Ford was nearing the base. Stanley said, "So you want to run the plan past me one last time Ford?" Ford nodded astutely straitening up in his car seat.

"The plan is simple," Ford stated. "The signal's point of origin is within Fort Vancouver. All we have to do is gain clearance by presenting my credentials and rendering my assistance with detecting and triangulating the source of these signals."

Grunkle Stan sighed, "That's a terrible idea for multiple reasons." Ford frowned while Stanley continued. "I'm wanted for various crimes in my past, many still outstanding. Secondly, according to your nerdy box thing, the power is out for the entire base. You might want to rethink your strategy."

Ford took his eyes off the road to look at the Q.W.A.R.K. tuner. Ford's eyes went wide. He pulled over to the side of the road, now half a mile from the entrance to the base. Mabel could see the screen. It looked like a big portion of the map on the display was overlayed with a weird fluctuating field that seemed to cover most, if not all of the base. Dipper frowned now too. Ford said, "Whatever the signal is it must have shut down the local hardware. Curious..." He then frowned. "They won't be able to verify my credentials, and they probably will not let us on to the base as it's likely in a lockdown state. This whole trip has been for nothing."

Stanley laughed, "Nah, it just means we move to plan B." Ford looked bewildered. "What's plan B?" Stanley grinned toothily, "B is for bolt cutters, pop the trunk poindexter." Ford thudded his head against the steering wheel silently.

Stanley huffed, "All the surveillance is down. If you can come up with a better plan I'm all ears." Ford narrowed his eyes, "If we get arrested I'm saying this was all your idea." Stanley grinned, "I'm not the only one with an outstanding warrant for thier arrest." Ford sighed and popped the trunk. While Stanley got to work Ford turned and said, "You three better come with us. I don't want anyone left behind in case a patrol stops by." Everyone nodded. Kendra's eyes were growing wider by the minute though. Dipper couldn't believe he was actually breaking into a military research base. This seemed like a terrible idea. But if Ford had conceded to it Dipper trusted his judgement. Dipper helped Ford hide the car in the tall brush while Stanley cut a large hole in the chainlink fence.