The Sadian Chronicles: Book 2: From Mercury To Venus

Chapter Fifteen: A Day at the Cave: Part 2

In the dining hall, breakfast was ready and waiting. Fanta and Dusk sat down next to each other but refrained from looking at each other.

Collen and Murphy joined them in a few minutes time. Collen sat across from Fanta while Murphy sat next to Dusk. "So, I just want to give you a run-down of the itinerary," Collen said, directing the statement more towards Fanta, but she didn't seem to be paying attention. She was more interested in picking at her toast than listening to anything Collen had to say. "I thought we would go right to the site after breakfast."

"Sure," Fanta said, taking a sip of orange juice. "Fine with me."

"Good," Collen said. "Murphy has a map of the caves beneath the ruins of your father's lab, but we believe they're incomplete. Maybe you could fill in the gaps." Fanta stayed silent, barely hearing anything Collen had said. "Miss Faigon?" Collen called out, trying to get her attention.

Dusk nudged her, trying to get her attention. "Oh, what was that?" She looked over at Dusk feeling a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Collen, I'm just a little preoccupied."

"I was talking about the map to the underground caves," Collen said.

"They're incomplete," Murphy said. "If you had any further knowledge it would be helpful. We don't want our people getting trapped down there."

"I'll do what I can to help," Fanta said.

"Good," Collen said. "Now that we're all on the same page, I think we should get going."

Fanta rose from her seat as the other men followed suit. "The van is waiting outside," Murphy said as Fanta followed him out the front door.

Fanta was more nervous than ever. She had no desire to see the ruins of the explosion again, but at this point she had no choice. Dusk touched her hand, and she turned and smiled at him. The new-found understanding between they remained unspoken, but it made her relax more and enjoy the ride.

They soon arrived at the site, where the scene was a bustle of activity. Most everyone was dressed in work clothes of tan cacky pants and brown work shirts and heavy boots. Fanta felt as if she was a little overdressed. She saw a man dressed in a casual suit standing near a cave talking to two others. One was holding a lantern, and other was holding a shovel with one hand while studying what looked like a map that the man in the suit was holding.

"Who's that?" Fanta asked Collen as she exited the van.

"That's Franklin Sterns," Collen said as he walked next to Fanta. "He's our map expert. You'll be working with him."

"Then I guess it's time for introductions," Fanta said as Collen led her towards Franklin. The man looked up with a look of shock on his face. Fanta couldn't understand why.

"It is you," Franklin said, putting down his map.

"Frank, this is Marianna Faigon, Doctor Faigon's daughter."

"Yes, I see that," he said, holding out his hand. "I just never thought I'd ever meet her. I mean for years we all thought you were..."

"Dead," Fanta finished as she took his hand. "It would take more than a little explosion to get rid of me."

"How did you survive?" he asked as she took back her hand.

"It's a long story," she said. "Right now I'm interested in this map."

"Yes, Ma'am right here," Franklin said. He raised the map again to give Fanta a clear view. "We've been able to excavate the upper levels, but we get to this point, and it all becomes a maze."

Fanta studied the area Franklin pointed out. That's when something hit her, and she let out a laugh. Franklin and Collin both looked confused. "That's my father's big joke."