Rev's Odyssey by R. R. Kaufman (the reading list .txt) 📕

swung deep in the cave and remained fixed to the broken bridge. When the swaying ceased, she began to climb to the top placing her foot on each wooden plank.

 

Cyna

Look out Rev!

 

Rev twisted her head around. A flash of metal was flying straight at her. She ducked just in time as Bryce’s hatchet ricocheted off a rock narrowly missing her. She took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from her hands as she continued her climb, shaking off Bryce’s last attempt to kill her.

 

Chapter 68

 

 

Rev grabbed her mother’s outstretched hand.

 

Cyna

How was the scenery?

 

Rev

Breathtaking.

 

Rev laughed as they gave each other a warm hug. They sat down on one of the cliff’s steps. Bryce had vanished on the other side of the ravine. They rested for a minute.

 

Rev

We better get out of here. Uncle Mars should be waiting for us at the top.

 

Rev and Cyna climbed the stone stairway to the top. Winded, they caught their breath as they moved slowly to the middle of the large flat plateau, marveling at the spectacular scenery at this height. Below them, the forests, rivers and ravines stretched out as far as Crystal Falls. Above them, the giant white covered mountain of Eagle Bluff completed Mother Nature’s masterpiece.

 

Rev

Where is professor Mars?

 

Cyna

I’m sure he won’t disappoint us.

 

Cyna caught sight of colored floating objects far up in the sky and pointed them out to Rev.

And then something moved near the cliff’s edge. What looked like four men carrying long sticks stepped out from behind the rocks and gradually surrounded them.

 

Rev

So you want a stick fight?

 

Rev withdrew her flexion and kept her mother close to her. The first man came at Rev with no fear. Rev twirled aside from his momentum, smacked down on his hand and dislodged his weapon from his hands. She kicked it over to her mother at the same time.

Cyna picked it up immediately and caught another attacker off guard by stabbing him in the solar plexus. He fell backward in agony.

Rev exchanged stick rattling back and forth and managed to strike a blow to the third man’s jaw. Surprised, he stepped back and spit out two teeth from his bloody lips.

The fourth man whacked Rev on her back. She let out a horrible groan before stumbling to the ground. He was about to bring his stick down hard on her face when Cyna intercepted him with her stick to his groin. He fell back immobilized.

The first attacker, who had lost his stick, leaped on Cyna and held a knife to her throat. Turning around, Rev froze as the man motioned for her to drop her weapon.

 

Cyna

Rev, drop it.

 

Before she could react another attacker grabbed Rev from behind and swung her to the ground.

Rev lay there feeling hopeless and defeated. Her attacker grimaced as he stood over her.

When he moved away Rev thought she saw clouds falling from the sky. By the time the four assailants looked up about a dozen men had landed from above.

The four assailants backed off and raced to the edge of the cliff. They quickly descended on hanging ropes.

The other men unzipped their flying suits and rushed towards Rev and Cyna. Rev instantly recognized one of them and jumped to her feet and grabbed hold of him.

 

Rev

Uncle Mars. Uncle Mars.

 

Cyna felt such shock and disbelief. She couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her cheeks.

 

Cyna

I almost gave up all hope.

 

Mars

You’re both safe now. The people of Eagle Bluff have been most kind and helpful.

 

Some of the men who landed were quick to inspect the surroundings and secure it. The remaining men stayed close to Mars, Cyna and Rev.

Eventually the men escorted the group of three to the natural arch that formed a bridge between Gianthead Landing and the base of Eagle Bluff. The guards on the bridge let them pass and the three hopped on board a cable car.

From near death, to flying men, to being lifted high in the sky in a small enclosure by a cable, created a high intensity of excitement in Rev.

Rev couldn’t contain her wonderment.

 

Rev

What is going on?

 

Professor Mars laughed while Cyna beamed with joy as she wrapped her arm around his arm. The women told Mars everything that happened to them as the lift carried them slowly up the mountain.

Rev felt at home and whole, sitting across from her mother and uncle. This amazing feeling of being elevated high above the beauty below renewed her spirit and clarified her goal. Rev knew, together as a team, was the only chance they had to free Brix and Genus from Razor and the destructive pollution she had brought about.

 

Chapter 69

 

 

As the cable car approached the top of Eagle Bluff, Rev was impressed by the vast amount of white powder.

 

Rev

What is that white stuff?

 

Mars

It’s snow. Very slippery and cold. You’ll need some warmer clothing.

 

Rev

And that large sheet of glass over there?

 

Mars

Ice. It’s a lake that’s always frozen.

 

Cyna

I can feel the cold from in here.

 

Mars

Wait until you step outside.

 

After clearing the bluff, the residence of Eagle Bluff slowly came into view. A massive pyramid of shipping containers were piled on top of each other extending high in the sky. Doors led to outside passageways and staircases joined the various containers on each level. Each one had a distinct color.

 

Rev

I’ve seen those before. Weren’t those the same type of steel boxes that Razor had on her ship?

 

Mars

Yes, they are quite common on this planet. The people here told me that if the island completely floods, the containers are positioned on floatation devices so they’ll be able to float.

 

Cyna

I know all about them. I felt so scared and lonely when I was imprisoned in one of those dark boxes.

 

Mars

The people of Eagle Bluff have furnished and heated them in a most pleasant way. You’ll feel quite comfortable here, Cyna.

 

The large cable mechanism that carried them to the top slowly grinded to a halt. They stepped out of the cable car and were greeted by two assistants of Eagle Bluff.

 

Mars

Be careful. Both of you wrap your arms around me. This snow is slippery and dangerous.

 

They slowly trudged through the heavy snow towards the main entrance. Towering high above them, massive fan like structures made a loud noise as they spun rapidly in the wind. Feeling small in their presence, and inquisitive as usual, Rev asked the professor about them.

 

Rev

What does all this machinery do?

 

Mars

They power the cable cars and Eagle Bluff.

 

The assistants led Rev, Cyna and Mars inside the pyramid of containers. To their amazement it was very warm and cheerful inside. What a stark difference between the outside and the interior, Rev thought, as they made their way through the maze of rooms and levels.

Finally the assistants showed them each their adjoining resting rooms. Another helper brought them some food and drinks.

 

Rev

I love this place. It’s snug and cozy. I wouldn’t mind crashing here for some time after crossing Razor’s territory.

 

Cyna looked anxiously at Mars.

 

Cyna

Did you hear anything about Hiro?

 

Mars

The word came from Crystal Falls that Hiro is safe and well.

 

Cyna

So good to hear.

 

Rev turned and smiled at her uncle.

 

Rev

That was an amazing stunt you pulled off, flying on to Gianthead Landing. How did you do it?

 

Mars

These people are amazing. I learned so much about their technology and history on this planet. The flying suit that you saw doesn’t really fly but it can lift you through the air from a higher elevation to a lower one. I want to take one back to our planet.

 

The group suddenly went quiet. They all knew that was the big question. Would they ever get back to their world? Would they ever see their friends and family again? They continued eating the food. Tomorrow they would meet with one of Eagle Bluff’s top tech guys and hopefully discover the hidden secrets of the gold chip.

After the delicious meal, it didn’t take them long to doze off for the night.

 

Chapter 70

 

 

The next morning after breakfast Cyna, Rev and Mars visited the tech guy called Erik. He was a polite man, about twenty- five years of age with a big smile.

As soon as Rev entered his dwelling she noticed a piano by the door.

 

Rev

Wow. I haven’t seen one of these for years. Remember, mom, when I used to play the music box at the school in Brix? It was a lot smaller than this one. Why didn’t anybody repair it?

 

Cyna

Nobody knew how. It washed ashore many years before you were born. We never saw one until then.

 

Erik flashed a big smile and started to play.

 

Rev

That sounds beautiful.

 

Erik

Please sit down. You can play a few bass notes while I play the melody.

 

Rev

I don’t know how.

 

Erik

It’s easy. I’ll show you how.

 

Rev sat down on the bench to his left and Erik showed her three keys on the piano and how to play them. At the same time his fingers danced around the piano keys at his end. Together they played a tune for about thirty seconds.

Rev’s eyes lit up and her face beamed with joy. Everyone applauded her.

 

Cyna

That’s wonderful, Rev, but we need to talk.

 

A combination of cargo containers positioned in vertical and horizontal locations made Erik’s dwelling spacious and appealing. At one end were a multitude of books in a study room, while a sofa and chairs were arranged in an open concept main room. In the center was a long desk with a computer. Erik placed seats around the computer desk for everyone.

 

Erik

First, I must congratulate all of you on your escape from Razor. And your conquest of that gold chip, Rev. That took guts. Razor not only has destroyed our planet but also disrupted trading on Tailbone Island with all the other islands. Now I’m anxious to see the gold chip.

 

Rev opened her locket and gave the gold chip to Erik. He scrutinized every detail on it with a big magnifying eyeglass. He then took pictures of both sides and transferred them to his computer screen. Cyna, Mars and Rev were amazed at his skills and the machines that they had invented on this planet. Erik looked up at them attentively.

 

Erik

This is some piece of work. The one side has the programming for her drokes. It’s a simplified version of her other chips but it looks like it serves her purpose. The other side has definite patterns that resemble a labyrinth inside a maze.

 

Rev

That’s what Chloe said.

 

Erik

Yes, I know Chloe, one of the protectors of Crystal Falls. The protectors have done an invaluable job. Tell me more about the drokes in Brix.

 

Mars told Erik everything he had studied about the drokes over the past three years. He drew a sketch of them and Erik transferred it to his computer. He also mentioned Brixwrecker, the giant droke.

 

Erik

These drokes are very slender. What I can’t figure out is where she