EPISODE CXXIX - INDIANA MEL AND THE TEMPLE OF APPLESAUCE
The cool of the cave washed over Stauch as he entered. He paused just inside, lifted a hand, and pressed a finger to the the notch just behind his right ear, activating the infrared
vision implants he'd received in basic training. The darkness before him disappeared, to be replaced by various shades of red, depicting the heat signature of whatever he viewed.
He was careful not to look back toward the mouth of the mine, fully aware that the heat from the arid desert outside would effectively blind him. Peering down the throat of the cave, he could see that the
way was relatively clear but for a few areas where the earth had settled leaving behind easily traversable mounds of rubble. He motioned for the others to follow and proceeded deeper into the shaft.
They crept cautiously forward for several hundred feet before Stauch spotted an off shoot from the main tunnel. He motioned for the others to stop and moved stealthily toward the new branch. Once there,
he glanced quickly around the corner and had to throw himself to the ground to avoid a scarlet projectile that seemed to swoop for his head. He turned his head to follow its path, and sheepishly noted the
unmistakable, wobbly flight of a bat. The winged rodent shot toward where the others stood bathed in the
eerie luminescence given off by Number Two's instrumentation.
VanTedly squealed as it passed him, the leathery slap of its wings and high pitched call causing him no small amount of distress. He danced around wildly as he drew his weapon and let go a shot that ended
its nocturnal existence. He shuddered violently as a wave of revulsion washed over him, and only when he stopped moving did he notice that the shuddering continued.
Dirt and rock rained down on Reed and his crew as the mine threatened to collapse on top of them. They moved as one toward an area where a thick, low beam crossed the ceiling, hoping it would provide them
some protection. Huddled together beneath it, their dark expressions came to rest on the hapless Ensign, who wore a look of complete bewilderment. As quickly as it started, the tunnel settled, replaced
by a still, disturbing quiet.
"Put that thing away.", Reed whispered harshly, motioning to the pistol VanTedly held protectively to his chest.
"I'm sorry.", the Ensign whimpered indignantly, replacing the weapon to his belt. "I don't like bats."
"Obviously.", Proteau remarked sarcastically, still quite put out with the junior officer's behavior.
Reed straightened, brushing dust from his clothing. "Which way, Number Two?"
Lt. Scott looked at Reed apprehensively, then at the sensor in his shaking hand. "That way", he said, pointing to the passageway that branched off from the main, "the signal's pretty strong there."
Reed took a deep breath and looked at Stauch who was still looking at VanTedly menacingly. "Proceed, Sergeant."
