The hikers resumed their trek the following morniing. The path led onto a rocky trail that climbed higher and higher. Looking out, Jal could see another stream that widened as it wove between the mountains. The trail wound back and forth in the mountains and narrowed gradually, still wide enough for one person. Occasionally, someone would knock a rock over the ridge starting a small avalanche. Tthe idea of a fall was not appealing! When they stopped, Jal spotted two mountain sheep. They were fighting, and the only thing some people could think of was that they were glad the sheep were so far away.
Luk came to Jal and Dr. Gyasi during the mid-day break and told them that if the group continued on the sheep trail, it would lead them further north than their intended route. “We have to cross the mountains here.”
“These are higher and look harder. Can we go around some of them?”
“Possibly. But the elevation continues to rise.”
The trio of geologists were listening to the discussion. “These will be harder,” they agreed. “We’ll have to use the advanced rope techniques. It’s pretty likely that there will be wide gaps in certain areas, simply because these mountains were once volcanoes. The lava that once cascaded down the sides will make the terrain very rough and unpredictable. If we're able, we might see some unusual lava that might be used for charms."
That afternoon, Luk met with Golsho and Ladi, two of the three Maz. Using a map and compass, they set a trajectory west. Then they went ahead, looking for a mountain that would restart them on their way. They disappeared out of sight as they went down into a valley, then began to make their way up the mountain. They placed bolts as they climbed and determined the best places for anchor points. The climbers began to come up in small groups and called back and forth to one another when someone reached an anchor point and was lowering the ropes to the person below.
Because of the straight rock face, the Maz would determine the best ways up to the next anchor point and placed the bolts on the way. They could see the depth of the cavern below and worried that those who followed would become nervous, lose focus and not watch their footing. In the late afternoon, the sixth group of two climbers took their places below and began the journey up. Using communicators, they decided to remain in their positions on the mountain as the sun disappeared over the horizon. The other nine teams were still below.
Each team located a spot, affixed sets of anchors to the rock faces, and ate a meal of dried food and water before settling in for the night. The androids sat unmoving, but everyone else dozed nervously, aware of the dangerous positions they were in.
When the sun was barely peeking over the horizon, most members in the group woke. There was a flurry of communications, but the leaders suggested that they wait until the sun was up further. It would be better if they could see where they were stepping. Finally, the signal to go came from above, and the group moved on. On the far side, there was a gap between the first and second mountains.
The two Maz looked at one another. “This is like Waketerel Gorge,” Golsho observed.
“Have you ever crossed it?” Ladi asked.
“Several times. Have you?”
“Several times.”
They had a lengthy discussion as to how best to get the group members across. In the end, they determined that they would climb a bit higher, put Nethurian rocket packs on, and fly across with ropes in their hands. In this way, they could effectively create a set of zip lines and pulleys.
The expedition participants hadn’t encountered a zip line in their training but had been expected to learn this on their own as part of the physical preparations. The first people to cross were very apprehensive. After six people had crossed the Gorge, the Maz went on to scale the mountain and look for anchor points. A team would catch the two people following it, and ensure they had good footing before they went up the next set of ropes.
Everything went well until Zamani Tu came to the lower anchor point on the west side of the mountain. “Why are we going up?” she asked nervously.
“Were you listening to the communications earlier?” Zalim, the meterologist, asked patiently.
“I was, but I didn’t understand.”
“We’re going up to get to the zip line that will take us to that mountain.” He pointed. “Do you see our friends over there?”
“I do.” “What have I gotten myself into? I’m in trouble,” she thought. “Okay, going up.” She pulled the rope, sending the signal that she was going to start climbing.
She and Zalim ascended to the next anchor point. It was a ledge that was about three meters long and a meter wide. They stood watching as Professor Maya Ojer and the Luminary flew across the gorge. “I’ve never been on a zip line,” she said nervously.
“Are you serious?” Zalim was shocked. “You were supposed to do this in the individual preparation between the group climbs.”
“There was always a wait at the climbing facility.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” He nearly shouted at her. He took a deep breath. “You’ve come this far. You can do it.”
“I don’t know,” she responded.
“There are people waiting for us.”
She stood silently, trying to psych herself up.
“Come on, Zamani,” Zalim said quietly. “Let’s go through the hooking up together.” He lowered his voice and meticulously explained the difference between the climbing vest and the straps that were attached to it for zip-lining. “This vest was designed for these two things. It has these two safeties on it. You’ll be fine.”
She checked the straps again and again.
“Nothing has changed,” Zalim said. “You’ve got everything in place. Just push off. Let gravity do the rest of it. Do you know how to stop?”
“Oh, no! I have to stop!”
“It’s okay.” He explained what to do. “There are people over there waiting for us. They’ll help you.” Again, she checked the straps. And stood there. “Zeilani, Golsho and Ladi set this up. You trust them, I know you do. Just go.”
“I can’t!”
“You can!”
Frustrated, Zalim touched his communicator. “We have a problem. Zeilani has frozen at the top of the zip line. I’ve tried to talk her through it. Don’t know what to do.”
“Who’s in the team behind you?” Dr. Gyasi asked.
“We are,” Pari Navid’s voice was clear. “Jal and myself."
“Who’s in the team ahead of you, Zalim?” Jal asked.
“Sidi and Kees.”
You can do this, Zamani," Pari encouraged her.
“I can’t!”
“Are you buckled on?”
“Yes.”
“The safeties are all in place?”
“Yes.”
“You can trust yourself. You were in a tight spot at the third anchor point yesterday. This is easier than that. You can do this.”
Zamani refused to budge. There was a long silence as the team members tried to figure out what to do.
“Is there room for another person on that ledge?” Jal asked over the communicator.
“Yes.”
“I’m coming up. Zalim, help her unbuckle and make sure she’s attached herself to an anchor. When I get there, you’ll go first.”
As Jal climbed, it tried to figure out how to handle the situation. “What can I say that will get her to go?” When Jal arrived at the ledge, Zamani was curled into a tight ball at the furthest point back.
“Go ahead, Zalim.” Zalim pushed off and sailed across the chasm.
“Zamani, what’s going on?” Reluctantly, she admitted that she hadn’t done the zip-line training that was on the list of preparations. When she told Jal the reason, it didn’t say anything for a long moment. “What else didn’t you do?”
“I did everything else. Honestly, I did.”
“I believe you. Now, let’s deal with this moment.” Jal led her through some deep breathing exercises. “I know you can do this. You can convince yourself that you can.” After some time, she rose to her feet. Jal watched as she meticulously fastened herself to the line.
She stood there, not speaking. Several minutes passed before Jal said, “You can do this, Zamani. Go.”
Frozen in place, with terror on her face, she shook her head.
Again, Jal said, “You can do this. We’re going to count it down from three. On one, you’re going to jump, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Three, two, one.” Jal pushed her and she sailed down the line. Her holler of surprise echoed in the gorge, and Sidi and Kees prepared to help her stop.
“We’ve got her,” Kees said.
“Jal Jomari,I can't believe you did that!" Zamani's voice came over the communicator.
“I’m glad to hear you say that. Glad you’re okay.”
“We’re resuming the climb,” Sidi said several minutes later. “Zamani and Zalim are ready for you.”
“Good,” Jal said. “Mission accomplished,” it thought to itself.
***
As the group relaxed on a small mesa in the middle of the mountain range, Luk and the small group of climb leaders carefully examined each person’s ropes. “Some are showing wear,” Luk said to Jal. “I’m a little concerned because I don’t know how much more climbing is ahead.”
“We could have ropes and anchors transported to us,” Jal replied.
“How would we do that?” Mink Faber asked.
“Surely you learned in school that the Protectorate has the capability of transporting items across great distances.”
“How do they do that?” Mink was stunned.
“You are aware that there are many satellites around our planet."
“Why didn’t they simply transport people to the west coast?”
“Because it’s not standard protocol to transport things when they don’t know if there are other items in the way at the receiving location. And the scientists can study the animals, plants, and environment as we travel."
“Hm. I guess that makes sense.”
“You did leave a stock of supplies at the Protectorate location, as we agreed?” Jal asked Luk.
“Yes. Many items of everything on our lists. Lots of anchors and ropes. Our contact there has agreed that she will have fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, and enough meat for two meals. Our supplies will be transported in tomorrow morning."
Jal noted that the participants had formed small cliques over the past several weeks. It knew this was normal and had expected it. “I think we should change some of the climbing partners,” Jal told Luk.
“Why?”
“There are several people who are,” Jal fished for a word. “Needing more support,” it finally said. “I think Zamani is one. She’s very determined, but she doesn’t have the confidence that other people have. I think her self-motivation needs some help.”
“Who else is on your list?”
“Mink Faber, and Mila Goyl,” Luk and Jal discussed each personality, and who might be better matches for them.
That evening, Jal and Luk went from person to person asking whether each needed any supplies. They spoke to the partners that were being changed and encouraged them to spend some time together, getting to know each other better.
That night Jal made a master list of the supplies they needed,and contacted the Protectorate Enclave officials on Iragos. The next morning, items were distributed to various people. The older ropes were marked with special knots and packed away. They could still be used for things other than climbing.
After a third day of rest, and lengthy communication with the scientists at the enclave, the expedition went off the mesa to another mountain to the west. As Luk and the two Maz looked over the first area searching for the first anchor point, Luk spotted glimmers of grey and red. Without telling anyone, he climbed up the lowest rocks to figure out what they were.
“I’ve got no idea what these are,” he thought as he examined them. “What should I do? Are they worth carrying?” After a few moments of hesitation, he put two handfuls of each stone into his backpack then returned to the Maz.
“Did you find something?” Ladi asked.
“I did, but I don’t know what they are. They’re very pretty, so I’ll probably put them in necklaces.”
"Should we? Are they worth anything?"
"I have no idea. What I do know is that what I can get home, will be part of my payment for being out here." Luk laughed, "It's a lot of work!"
"Yes. A lot of work, for a bit of pay."
"And a lot of adventure!" Golsho said. "That's why we're here!"