Milo Moon: It Never Happened by Derek Haines

just don’t know about yet.’
    ‘Yes, I’m sure my intimate knowledge of nuts and bolts will be really useful.’
    ‘Oh, come on, Milo. Cheer up. We’ve got a job to do,’ Mary said, trying to lift Milo’s spirits as well.
    ‘Milo. Don’t you remember what George said?’
    ‘No Michael.’
    ‘He said, he chose you because you were precise and meticulous. And patient I think.’
    ‘Oh yes. That makes me feel a whole lot better,’ Milo said sarcastically.
    ‘Right, enough chat. Let’s get on with this,’ Michael said with determination, and rolled out his map of the ducting system. ‘Right. There was a collapse at A27 D in G Sector. It’s not far from here. That’s where we found some items referring to CERN. Maybe that should be our starting point.’
    ‘Maybe Michael. But a team will surely be sent to repair the duct soon,’ Anne said.
    ‘I’m not so sure. After I completed my damage report, there was only a circulation re-direction put into place. That normally means that repairs are not seen as urgent. It could be months before a repair team is sent.’
    ‘Well, let’s go and check it out. See if there’s been any activity there. A27 D is also close to the highest point in the entire system. Only A28 is higher. Did George mention where he met these men?’ Anne asked.
    ‘Not really. He just said, on the edges of Sootere.’
    ‘Doesn’t help much,’ Anne replied.
    ‘George did say it was a building project just above us,’ Milo interrupted. ‘So if A27 is close to the highest point of the system, and the collapse you inspected was caused by some form of weakening or pressure from above, then maybe it’s the closest point. I think we’re looking for a building, or something similar, just above our heads. He said it was something that was, just above us, and surrounding us.’
    ‘That’s right, he said it was some kind of machine,’ Michael added.
    ‘So, we dig, up,’ Anne concluded.
    It only took thirty minutes to arrive at A27 D. It seemed nothing had been touched since Michael’s inspection. Anne and Michael inspected the cavity above, and then looked for space near the collapse that could be used to store debris from the excavation they would need to do to begin an ascent. They found an unused duct that looked as if it had been closed many years before. It was large enough, level and headed back towards Sootere. It was also only meters from the collapse at A27 D. They went back again to survey the cavity.
    ‘Well, up is a good start Michael, but how do we know which direction to take? We’ll have to excavate at a shallow angle,’ Anne said.
    Michael was thinking, but Milo beat him to the answer. ‘Why don’t we listen?’
    ‘Sorry Milo?’ Anne asked.
    ‘You know, like putting a glass to a wall. George said they were building a machine. Machines make noise.’
    ‘I think you’re onto something, Milo,’ Anne said. ‘Maybe we’re starting to find out why George chose you now,’ she smiled.
    ‘Well, let’s see if can find something to use,’ Michael said with intent, and started to look for anything possibly useful. He pulled a long metal rod from the pile of debris that had probably been a supporting rod for the duct. It was straight and about a meter and a half long. ‘If we can drive this into the soil in the cavity far enough, it might let us pick up any vibrations. Is there a mallet in my sack there, Anne?’
    Michael heaved himself up into the cavity, and cleared out enough soil so he could position himself on the undamaged duct roof that was stable. It took him nearly half an hour to clear enough space and adding more height to the pile of debris below. Anne stood back until he had finished. She then climbed the pile to see where Michael would drive the rod.
    ‘I think I’ll try directly upwards first. Probably the best chance to hear anything.’
    ‘Yes. Good idea,’ Anne said, as she passed the mallet up to him. He placed the end of the rod at the top of