“I’m still not sure this was a good idea. We could have just sent all the drones.” Melissa was walking through one of the tunnels beside Robert. They had two drones in front of them, with two more bringing up the rear.


    “Yes, we could have, but I think it is the better option. We’re armed, and we have the drones. This will make it easier for us to render any aid they need.”


    “Yeah, armed. We have several tools you quickly weaponized. I’m not sure any of these nail guns are going to do much at range. If we had stayed behind, I could have put some real weapons together.” She shook her head as she walked.


    “Shh, what’s that up ahead?” The tunnel ended, and Robert could see into a room. There looked to be steam coming off of something in the center.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    “I don’t see anything moving on the drones, no signs of any of the weird creatures the others saw. I think it’s just a hot spring.” They walked further into the chamber.


    Robert looked over the edge into the steam. He found a basin full of what he thought was warm water. “Do you have a probe? I want to test this while we are here.”


    “Yep.” Melissa pulled an instrument from her pack. As she moved to test the water, she tripped over a small stone and tumbled into the pool.


    “Melissa, are you okay?!” Robert yelled.


    “I think so. I feel kind of tingly, though.” She quickly climbed out of the water to dry land. “Something feels off, almost like a heat deep inside me.”


    “Dammit, alright, let’s leave the drones here and get you back. I think you were right. This was a mistake.”