Buffalo Mesa Mummy

Chapter 6

Maria was sitting next to Peter, while Charlie was perched on the tiny third seat that was mounted above and behind the front seats. While it gave a good view of the landscape in front of them it had no springs and little cushion.

“Is it necessary to run over every rock and hit every hole between our house and The Town?” Charlie complained, as once again he bounced out of the seat and almost into Maria’s lap.

“I give you everything and still you aren’t happy.” Peter called back over his shoulder as he swerved to keep from sliding down in a small gulley.

The Mule had big tires and fully lockable 4-wheel drive. It could go almost anywhere it would fit but it was not built for comfort. Lashed in back were a couple shovels, a box holding the Rover, rope, and various other items Peter had loaded at his house. 

Maria held on to the roll bar and pointed out various obstructions. Several hard spring showers had eroded the already rough path they had to follow and Peter was glad for the extra pair of eyes.

About ten minutes later they made it to the top of the mesa and stopped next to where Peter had first found the mysterious hole and whatever was hidden below the ground. Charlie was out of his seat and on the ground before the Mule came to a complete stop.

“Gee, that was fun.” Charlie said, rubbing his bottom.

“Whine, whine, whine.” Maria said as she climbed out of the Mule a little stiff herself.

Peter unstrapped the box holding the Rover and removed sheets of foam that held it in place. He flipped the power switch and set it on the ground. He looked over at Charlie and saw that he had found a flat rock less than ten feet from the hole and was booting up the computer that was the control center for the Rover. 

Plugged into an USB port was the control box, which had been custom made to interact with the Rover. The computer interface not only controlled the Rover’s movements, but also received the video and audio feed from the Rover’s cameras and microphone. They could control the 4-wheeler from the computer keyboard or from a handheld controller that also plugged into the computer.

Charlie signaled that he was ready and Peter went over to where his friend was so they could run through the testing procedure. Peter used the hand controls to make sure he could completely control the movements of the little jeep. Charlie set up the audio and video link through the computer. He readied the recording program and once everything was checked out they were ready to lower the Rover into the hole.

Peter tied a cord onto the roll bar which would allow it to drop into the hole with the nose down. It was the only way the vehicle could fit into the entrance. He would also be able to retrieve the Rover when they were finished by pulling it back to the surface with the same cord.

Maria lay on her stomach shining a powerful light down into the entrance making sure there was a clear path for the Rover and that there was an area big enough for it to set on the bottom. When she was satisfied that everything was ok she got up, dusted herself off and walked over to the boys.

“We are clear to go when you are ready.” Maria announced.

“Ok, let’s do it.” Peter said, and carried the Rover over to the hole. He was to slowly let out the cord as Charlie monitored the descent on the computer. Peter glanced at Charlie and he gave the thumbs up sign.

Peter began to lower the Rover into the hole, while Maria watched the monitor with her brother.

The headlights of the jeep brightly lit the area as it was lowered. Peter kept an ear cocked in the direction of the other two, but the way was clear and soon he felt the front wheels touch and then the Rover was safely sitting on the bottom.