“Ah,” said Follingston-Heath. “It’s nearby, then.”
Iranaputra pointed into the woods. “Right over there, inside the mountains.”
“Ah.”
Hawkins nodded toward the indoor dining area. “Hey, I believe you, Vic. Me, I’ve always thought there were plenty of nonhuman intelligences around here. Take Kreutzmeier. You know, the guy from Heuerfleur who thinks he’s a weather vane? The one they always have to drag off the roof when the wind gets up over thirty kph? Or how about Jeeny Mtambo and her invisible knitting? The ceremonial ‘rug’ she’s been working on must reach from here to Albany by now.”
Iranaputra didn’t raise his voice. Irritation sometimes accelerated his speech, but he never raised his voice, never shouted. Besides, like everyone else, he was used to Hawkins.
“There is a tunnel that leads downward. I think it might even go under the lake,” he added thoughtfully. “The evidence lies at the end of the tunnel.”
“I see,” said Follingston-Heath. “What’s it like, Vic? This evidence of yours. Some old bones? A ginzu knife or vegematic? I know that this region has been inhabited for a long time. You know: pre-federation industrial aboriginals. Manhattanites, and other primitive Morecans.”
“It is more than just artifacts,” Iranaputra told him. “There are buildings, a whole city down there.”
Shimoda sighed sadly. “A city. What does this ‘city’ look like, Victor?”
“I cannot say for sure. The robot’s lights were of limited range and I could not see much.”
“Ah yes,” said Hawkins. “That renowned font of inspiration and exploration, the humble kitchen robot. What wondrous capabilities we have overlooked.” He winked at Gelmann, who turned away so she wouldn’t smile.
“There is an alien city under Lake Woneapenigong,” Iranaputra insisted.
“Of course there is, dear.” Gelmann patted his shoulder this time. “You know, Dr. Lee will be making his biweekly visit to our wing tomorrow. Perhaps you could take half an hour and just …”
“Since you are all so skeptical, I do not suppose any of you would care to come and have a look for yourselves?” Iranaputra said challengingly.
“Sure we would, Vic!” Hawkins leaned back in his chair. “You said it was a nice walk, and I don’t mind an occasional hike in the forest.”
Shimoda stared at him. “I thought you disliked the woods, Wallace.”
“Yeah, but I enjoy throwing rocks at the squirrels. Knock one out of its tree and they just squeak like hell.” Gelmann made a face. “We don’t have to go at night, do we?” he asked Iranaputra. “I mean, your alien urb doesn’t evaporate when the sun comes up, does it?”
Iranaputra stiffened. “I presume not.”
“Great! Count me in. How about you, nature boy?” He eyed Follingston-Heath. “Or you scared of getting your cuffs wrinkled?”
The Colonel was not easily perturbed. “I shall come along to ensure no one gets hurt.”
“That is unlikely.” Iranaputra picked at the rapidly cooling food in front of him. “The floor of the tunnel is smooth and the slope, while unvarying, is not extreme. Actually, the more I consider it, the more I believe that the passageway is not a tunnel but some kind of ventilation shaft. Obviously the inhabitants of the city needed access to fresh air.”
“Not necessarily,” opined Hawkins. “Maybe they just recycled their own farts.”
“Wallace, do be good.” Gelmann smiled at Iranaputra. “If it will make you happy, then I will come too, Victor, though I think you have been reading too much Lovecraft.”
Shimoda sighed resignedly. “Which leaves me little choice. We must be sure to take adequate supplies with us.”
“Meaning in your case, food.” Follingston-Heath looked pleased. “We can make a picnic out of it. This could be quite jolly.”
“Oh yeah; jolly.” Hawkins’s expression reflected his sense of humor: twisted.
“Perhaps you have stumbled across an ancient military fortification,” Follingston-Heath suggested. “A missile cellar, I believe they were called.”
“That was my first thought,” Iranaputra admitted. “It is, however, not the case.”
“Are you an expert on pre-diaspora weapons systems?” The Colonel bent toward him.
“No, of course not, but I …”
“I, on the other hand, studied such matters extensively while at the Academy. Once on-site I am sure we can resolve this question appropriately. Perhaps there is something of interest in the hills after all.”
“I have been trying to tell you,” Iranaputra said urgently. “The buildings down there, the architecture is …”
“It’s settled, then.” Follingston-Heath pushed away from the table and rose. “This will be fun. I take it upon myself to see to the necessary supplies.” He smiled at Shimoda. “Including the requisite midday repast.” The Colonel delighted in planning strategy and tactics, even if only for a picnic.
“If anyone asks, they should be so nosy, we’ll just tell them that we’re going for an extended walk around the lake.” Gelmann was anticipating the forthcoming excursion.
“We’ll need some rope,” Hawkins grumbled. “To haul Vic’s butt out if there really is some kind of ditch or hole.”
“I will take care of everything.” Hands clasped behind him, Follingston-Heath turned to gaze out across the lake. “Yes, it will be a jolly picnic.”
VI
Hawkins was grousing even before they started out, but Follingston-Heath was in fine spirits, shortening his stride to match that of his less athletic companions. The sun turned the surface of Lake Woneapenigong to shards of broken glass. Ignoring Hawkins’s sotto voce curses, jays and cardinals sang in the trees. It was a beautiful morning for reconnoitering.
Everyone carried a small satchel or pack containing an assortment of personal items and other supplies. A phone hung from Follingston-Heath’s belt, though Iranaputra had warned him it was unlikely to work deep within the tunnel. The Colonel had simply smiled patronizingly and brought it anyway. Clearly he did not expect to get very far underground.
Ksarusix trundled along in front, amusing Iranaputra’s companions no end by forging the path. Iranaputra had persuaded it that this was the way to proceed: reveal the secret to one, then to several, later to many more. Though dubious, the robot had seen the wisdom of taking human advice where human doubt was involved. It said little as it retraced a by-now-familiar course through the trees.
