//------------------------------// // Part 7: Discovery // Story: Adventures in the TARDIS // by Scroll //------------------------------// As soon as I open the door leading into and out of my room, it quickly dawns on me that there is a crucial difference between hope and expectation. I may hope that something exciting will happen to me, but that doesn't necessarily match my expectation when I have plenty of experience to draw upon that showed the evidence is strong this day will be much the same as most of the previous ones. On a true adventure, though, one can never be too sure and I'd never know exactly what the day will bring until I open my door. Such as the immediately apparent fog that I notice after I gaze beyond my now open room. Fog that is so thick, it has somewhat penetrated the ship. Not within any enclosed area of course, but it has affected the deck of the ship that is exposed to the open ocean. I feel my heart skip a beat and my breath freeze for a moment. In the back of my mind I'm also thinking, “Ooo! I need to remember my initial reaction so I can write that in tomorrow's journal entry.” This is certainly unexpected, but the second thing I start to notice shifts my reaction from surprise to creeping fear because the ship sounds too quiet. I also don't see anypony trotting past my room. For a brief moment, I start to panic about the idea that I might be alone out here. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, though. I know that initial impressions may not always be what they seem. To confirm if I am really alone out here or not, I need to start venturing out there and exploring this ship some more. As I do so, I'm not really expecting to find that I am indeed totally alone. My rational side, in particular, insists that it is highly unlikely I am alone for no reason. I decide to venture out into the main deck and use my tail to close my bedroom door behind me. My room faces the starboard side of the ship. From there, I decide to explore towards the bow of the ship. After all, I know there is the most open space in that direction. The entrance towards the bridge of the ship is also possible in that direction. As I continue, my irrational panic starts to steadily creep up further as I explore on and hear nothing else around me other than my own hoof clomps on the wooden deck and a bit of the ocean splashing on the ship. Eventually, however, I get flooded with relief when I finally do spot one pony out there. In this case, it just happens to be Doctor John Smith. He has his right hind hoof propped up a bit off the ground and onto a the lower end of the rail surrounding the ship. He is also leaning on the rail with his right fore hoof laid across the rail. He seems to be gazing out into the ocean fog around us with a discerning and contemplative look which I secretly find a bit attractive about him. “I'm glad I found you,” I say to him as I trot up next to him. “I know this is going to sound crazy, and I hope you won't laugh, but until I saw you standing here, there was a part of me that felt panic for a moment over the possibility that I might be alone on this ship for some reason.” “Your circumstances are certainly not that dire yet,” the Doctor says as he continues to scan out into the fog for some reason. “But there are other reasons to be concerned right now.” I feel a bit of the fur on my hide stand up when he made that last statement. It also compels me to ask, “Like what?” “Well,” he says as he stands more erectly, “there is good news and bad news. First the good news. Early this morning, we saw some seagulls. They don't tend to venture that far from dry land so that is a sign that one is nearby.” “Good news?!” I ask incredulously. “Are you kidding me? That is blasted great news because it means that we've done it! We will arrive at the lost continent today!” Doctor Smith glances at me as he flashes me a brief grin then looks back out at the fog as he says, “True as long as we live to continue the journey.” I furrow my eyebrows as I ask, “Why the doubt?” “Well, just look out there,” Doctor Smith invites as he nods out to indicate towards the fog. “This is the bad news. The fog rolled in not long after we spotted the seagulls. That's great because it means we might reach landfall today, but doing so while we're unable to see what is out there carries with it substantial risk. For example, we currently have no warning to help us avoid rock formations an the like. If we crash into things like that then down we'll go.” “Oh!” I widen my eyes. Now I'm spooked. “Back in Equestria,” resumes Doctor Smith as he uses a shoulder to indicate the direction we came from, “phenomenon like this isn't as much of a problem because, there, we'd have Light towers and fog horns along the coastal harbors. Out here, however, on a lost continent, there is unlikely to be such a thing. Even if there is, they can't see our approach under these conditions either and there is no foreseeable reason, at the moment, for any natives to expect our approach. That's assuming it has intelligent life to begin with and they just happen to be around here enough to observe all of this.” “Is this why everypony else is being so quiet? They are too busy scanning and listening for potential obstacles out there?” I guess. Doctor Smith nods as he confirms, “Pretty much. Yeah.” A cold sinking feeling settles down into my chest as I digest this latest bit of frightening news. All of a sudden my earlier elation over the fact we might reach landfall today backfires into a frightening possibility. I want to reach landfall, sure, but I don't want this boat to sink while we're at it. If it does then, even if we survive by swimming onto that land, we may be stuck there unless we can use that land's materials to build us a new boat as well as gather enough supplies for the return trip. We used steam power to get us here. If we can't build a similar engine for the return trip, we'll have to rely on sail power and that is a whole different game. I hope our navigator kept track of things like wind currents as we sailed out here. We might need to know that for our return trip. That would be useful information anyway for possible future voyages later. As our present situation rolls over in my mind, it occurs to me that there is one thing I can do to help somewhat. “In that case, I have an idea,” I announce as I stand more erectly as well as gaze out into the fog with focused purpose. “And since I am the only pegasus aboard this ship, then only I can do this. I'll fly around and scout the local territory. See if I can spot any potential danger out there from higher elevation. Since I can also affect the weather, maybe I can even clear up some of the fog a bit. “Excuse me.” I then crouch down then leap up and flap my wings. Before I can get beyond the rail of the ship, however, I am somewhat painfully pulled back down to the deck of the ship by my tail. I exclaim “Ouch!” then snap my gaze back to Doctor Smith. After that, he spat out the hair of my tail then continued spitting for a few more seconds as if trying to expel any residual amount of hair he bit into. “What did you do that for?!” I ask him accusingly when it seems like he settled a bit. He holds up a hoof to me has he tries to hack out the last few bits of my tail hair then gives me a bit of a piercing glare as he tells me, “Think this through. It is possible that you might be able to spot potential trouble out there if you view this area from a bird's eye perspective, but what about the next step? How are you going to return and report that back to us when this ship is still lost in the fog? If we can't see what is out there, then you may not be able to spot this ship as well even from the level of the sky. Plus there is the fact that any potential danger out there may also be hidden in fog so that could make your scout attempt potentially useless.” “Oh!” I blink and feel spooked again. He does bring up a good point. I then gaze down at the floor as I give this a lot of thought, then look back at him as I suggest, “Well . . . how about this, then. After I spend a few minutes scouting out the area from above, I fly down lower and attempt to call back to the ship? When I hear a call back, I can use that to home in on this ship's exact position.” “Eh . . . possible but very unfeasible,” Doctor Smith replies. “To be heard on this ship and heard back, you'd have to fly very low into or even within the fog. At that altitude, you might accidentally crash into the ship. It's far more likely you'd not find us at all. This fog might stretch beyond the horizon for all we know. When you have to search an area that big and come across it without the ability to keep track of your progress as you try to find us, the odds of finding us again are very remote. If you leave, chances are strong you'd not be able to return to us unless the fog breaks. If that happens, we'd be able to see around us anyway. Also, if you can't return to us, then any information you'd have gathered is moot. Considering all of that, it is best you stay with us even if it runs the increased risk of plunging this ship into something that might be able to sink us.” I frown. I hate to admit it, but he does bring up some good points and I can't think of a way around it for the moment. Also, in truth, I don't really want to venture out there by myself. “In that case, what do you suggest we do? Or I do?” I check with Doctor Smith since he seems to be chalk full of bright ideas. “Be patient and vigilant,” Doctor Smith recommends. “Look out there for any noteworthy signs. Anything at all, but do it from this ship.” I frown at him slightly. I was hoping to hear of a safer and more surefire option but I also realize that our current situation puts some constraints upon us. That might be the best option we have left considering everything here. So that's what we do. We continue to wait and watch with a baited breath. During that time, the fog continues to hold. Until it doesn't. I think I hear the sound of seagulls about three seconds before the fog peels away almost suddenly along with a blast of headwind. As I gasp at the sight, I accidentally breathe in a bit of ocean water as a wave splashes hard against the bow of the ship and sprays ocean mist. I choke a bit then shake my head. My vision clears a moment later then I look off the bow of the ship again. My eyes need a few moments further to adjust to the sudden intensity of the daylight. After that, what I see causes my eyes to explode wide. Ahead of us we do, indeed, see land. Boy, do we ever see that land! That cliff face by the ocean is so tall, the ocean waves that crash against it can only scale up one percent of it. Those are huge waves, too! I don't know how long we all just stand there in silence. All I know is I could barely even think until I am shocked back into my senses when I hear a large roar of cheer explode all across the ship. It actually makes me wince for a second then look back. I can't see all of the ponies here from the bottom deck. Some of them are above me on the second deck. I didn't even know any of them were standing there during the thick fog. It almost feels like they were suddenly there. Now that the fog is clear, I can finally see them raising both forehooves in a great cheer, or hugging each other, or giving each other high hoof bumps. Their energy is infectious and I soon find myself smiling as well. Looking back at the land ahead of us, all of a sudden it feels like we're on another planet. We were in a world full of fog moments ago and now the sun gleams off the ocean waves. Clouds loom over the extremely tall sea face cliff which makes it seem like the cliff extends ever further high into the sky. Up above, I see some seagulls following along with the ship. I even spot one of them looking down at us then cock its head at us in a very curious, bird-like manner as if thinking, “Hey! That thing wasn't there before. Where did they come from all of a sudden?” When I see them, it suddenly dawns on me how incredible and important the ability to fly really is. Seeing them also reminds me that I can do that too, and it might be important for me to do that soon. As wondrous as this sight before us is, there is still the risk of sailing into shallow rocks between us and the land ahead of us. Now that the fog is clear, it'll be easier for me to see any of that as well as this boat. “Excuse me for a moment,” I announce as I spread my wings. I glance at Doctor Smith for a second to see if he has any objections this time. After all, I don't want my tail pulled again so soon after my last experience. When I look upon him, I notice him nodding at me in approval this time. That makes me feel safer, so I nod back at him to acknowledge his approval then leap off the ship with a mighty flap. I curve sharply up then arc back around to glide my way back at the bridge on top of this ship. In this direction, the ship is coming toward me anyway so I meet up with the bridge fairly quickly. Once I am there, I flap and hold my place off to the starboard side window. “Captain,” I call a bit loudly to make sure I am heard inside the bridge from the outside, “I'm going to go off ahead and see if I can spot any further danger between this ship and the land ahead of us. I'll come back and report my findings later.” The captain is a distinguished looking gentlepony in a dark purple double button coat. He has trimmed white mane, short tail, and a beard. He looks out the starboard side window at me for a second then lifts an ear at another pony who approaches the captain from his left side. Based on this second officer's uniform, I assume this is the captains first officer who says something to the captain for a moment which causes the captain to consider something. After seven seconds he looks back and nods to the other officer before looking back at me, approaches the window, and calls aloud which is slightly muffled behind the glass, “You're not a part of my crew so I can't give you any direct orders, but I am responsible for your safety. It's also true that you're the only one who can do this service aboard this ship at the moment and right now I can't afford to ignore any opportunity which can increase the safety of this ship and anypony aboard.” He nods at me in approval. “Do as you feel you must, Miss Keystone, but please make it brief. No more than an hour tops.” I salute the captain as I call to him, “Yes Sir,” then I take off towards the new land. In doing so, I'm charging headlong into the headwind. Because of it, I beat my wings hard in order to ascend in altitude. I'm hoping the winds at higher elevation won't be such a hindrance against me. Along the way, I rise above a flock of seagulls. In doing so, one of them squawks at me. Based on the expression on the bird's face, it seems curious about something. I shrug then fly on ahead. Still flying into some headwind, I have to wince my eyes tight. It's also a little difficult to breathe when the air is passing by me so fast, but I manage it enough so that this is not too dangerous. Being up here in these conditions reminds me why professional pegasi fliers tend to wear goggles. I also spare a moment to look back at my beige wings as I flap in the air. Then I gaze at the vast terrain around me as the boat continues to shrink due to the escalating distance and height. Waves in the ocean grow smaller and seem to slow down in time a bit. Once again, it hits me hard how important this ability is during this mission. Normally this is something I take for granted because one/third of the rest of my race can do this too. It's common enough so that most ponies think nothing of it, but out here I am the only one who can do this. Being an aerial scout is not an official job of mine, but when no pony else that we brought with us can do this, then this ability takes on a whole new dimension of meaning and importance. I'm not a professional adventurer but there is a few on the ship who are. I'll likely need them most desperately during the course of this whole mission. If there is anything I can do that they can't, then it feels important to me that I perform that ability for them to the best of my ability. After all, for every one of them that dies, it diminishes my odds of survival as well. I carefully scan below me for any potential obstacles, particularly any along the path line of the ship. Of that, the closest thing I spot that has a chance to be a threat is also wondrous to behold, and that is a pod of whales. From this height, I can actually see their massive forms under the water as long as they are at least close to the surface. Some of them break to the surface with their midsections to blow jets of water above them. The last thing of them I usually spot is their tails as they majestically dive back into the water. In one particularly awe-inspiring case, I see a whale shoot up above the water with so much momentum that about eighty percent of its body rises above the water. From there, it arcs to its side then ends up crashing back into the ocean with a huge side splash. In this case, the whales right fin is the last part of its body to be above the ocean before it fully submerges again. It is very likely my imagination, but right now, it feels like the pod of whales is giving us a friendly greeting. Almost every single one of them has a good chance to sink our ship if they came at us really aggressively, but from up here, I am getting way friendlier vibes from them. This sight makes my eyes water while a smile spreads across my lips. Right now it feels so wonderful to be here and alive. Then I look ahead of me again at the gigantic cliff that looms ahead. It occurs to me that I don't see a safe area for us to approach this landmass yet because there is no ocean shore. Maybe we can take rowboats up to this gigantic cliff but we'd probably end up smashed against the rocks and the waves. As it is, I see some huge waves plume as much as forty-five feet above the ocean. Again, from this height and distance, the waves seem slower as it crashes into the cliff, shoots up, then showers down as this huge cloud of mist. Despite all of that, it is equivalent of a creature rising no more than two inches off the ground when it is compared next to a pony. The cliff face can probably barely even feel the ocean waves. The captain did say to return in about an hour. I'm flying into headwind for the moment but it is calmer at higher elevations just like I thought it would be. If the winds continue in this direction, I realize that I can make it back to the ship faster later on. It takes perhaps fifteen minutes to fly towards the land from the ship. I might be able to return in five minutes as long as I fly lower and rejoin the wind currents at its strongest point. I decide to keep that in mind for my future calculations as to when I should return. Within the time I have left, I spot one potential entry point onto the landmass. At first it looked like it was within a sea cave except, when I flew within it, I noticed it is actually exposed to the sky from within. It looks like water must have eroded the sea cave roof over . . . shoot. I can't even guess how long from here, but perhaps a more important discovery is a small area that is the closest thing I found to a beach within the allotted time I am given for this scouting mission. Behind that beach, though, we'd still have to scale up a cliff that looks to be at least a mile high. It's wet in there too, at least towards the bottom quarter of the cliff. There is also three giant waterfalls I see pouring down into this area. That might have been part of why this sea cave roof eroded. From certain angles above, I actually see rainbow mist between the three waterfalls. Those waterfalls might make the cliff near it slippery, but it also means we probably have a source of fresh water as we make our climb. Of all the ponies here, I can probably accomplish that task of refilling our canteens with any of those waterfalls the safest. Before I return, I ascend high enough to finally be above the cliff face. What I see beyond appears to be a massive jungle. A cloud of mist obscures about seventy percent of it. In the distance further inland, I see tall spiky mountains rise above a collection of clouds which hover around those spikes like a crown on a king. On one of those mountains I see another waterfall that is so huge that I can easily see it from this distance. It is like a white line drawn down an otherwise obsidian colored mountain. There is a strong part of me that wants to park a cloud near this area and start drawing this terrain in order to begin my map making work. After all, that is my official job for this mission, but for now, I need to get back and report my findings.