Cipher [A Gravity Falls Tale] #Wattys2016

Seven

Following the rudimentary map Bill had helped him draw, Ford led McGuckett through the fields on the boundary of the town. Passing under the shadow of the cliffs, Ford stared up at the odd shape cut out of them. Many a day had been spent dreaming up the shape of a spacecraft, but Ford had dismissed those ideas as wishful fantasy. Now, to know that he had been right yet again was exhilarating.

"So," began McGuckett from behind him, "remind me exactly how you happened to discover a spaceship beneath our feet?"

"The friend I've told you about," explained Ford. "This map was just one such secret he had about Gravity Falls."

"And who is he again?" asked a suspicious Fiddleford. They had had this conversation many times.

"Someone who used to be a lot like us. He figured out the secrets of the town, but now he's very reclusive. He's very reclusive, only revealing himself to a few." All true, rationalized Ford mentally.

"Well," gasped Fiddleford, becoming winded, "I think it strange that he hasn't shared his findings with more people. The data you're uncovering here is revolutionary, Ford."

Ford paused. For once, he agreed wholeheartedly with his friend on the topic of his muse. "That's a good question. I honestly don't know." They continued their walk for a while, until Fiddleford requested a break a few hours in. Unfortunately, the young engineer's body was not in the same shape as his mind.

"Ugh," he sighed, plopping down on a rock. "I always knew the farm life wasn't for me. I get tired much too easily."

"I wouldn't say you were entirely unfit for that life, friend," pointed out Ford. "You were the only person in our Master's program who could hog tie any object in less than five minutes."

"True," laughed McGuckett, already tearing into their food rations. Minutes later, they were on their way again to the spacecraft. The journey took a couple days just to get there, but Ford had insisted they travel a hidden by foot. He couldn't have anyone else discovering the location of the crash site, and besides, most of the terrain was impassable by vehicles of any sort.

During their breaks, they took time to observe any mysterious objects they came across, with Ford recording any new findings in his journal and sharing with Fiddleford any data he already had. Among others, they came across a plaidypus, strange rock creatures, and the evidence of the legendary, elusive hide-behind.

The day came at last. On the crest of a hill, Ford slowly approached the spot where Bill claimed there was an entrance hatch. A 'relatively safe' entrance hatch, according to the triangle. Anything was better than the entrance Ford had discovered, though. Presumably a loading dock, it had all but collapsed, making any journey through it treacherous.

Ford was now certain he was in the right spot, but the only thing around him was one large rock protruding from the ground. McGuckett was only a minute behind him-- he couldn't come up empty-handed now!

"Where is the entrance?" he had asked Bill.

His answer? "Hidden."

Suddenly, Ford hatched an idea. He rushed to the rock and pushed it aside. Success! A metallic shaft led down into the depths of... something. Fiddleford rushed up behind him, gaining a second wind in hopes of seeing what lay beyond.

"Wow," he muttered. "After everything else, this is still incredible."

"Right underneath us this whole time," added Ford. "Of course, I've known about its existence for a while; I just didn't know how to get in."

"How long?" Fiddleford demanded suddenly. Ford stared at him blankly. The former repeated, "How long have you known about this? Ford, why haven't you told anyone about this? You want to change science? Here's your answer!"