Unexpected Visitor XII

ROOMBA continues to guide you, Jill, and Borgen. The sun has set, and you notice the temperature drop. The desert is even more beautiful at night. The stars shine bright. Borgen points out a few constellations, and Jill asks Borgen how he knows about them. “Well, that’s how I do most of my traveling when I don’t know the way. The stars point me where I need to go, especially on the open sea.” While the three of you are walking and looking up, ROOMBA stops. First Jill, then you, then Borgen, all bump, and end up falling down. The three of you start laughing.

ROOMBA turns to face you. “QUIET. DO NOT MOVE.” ROOMBA dims his eye-light and crouches down to join you. A few minutes pass, and nothing happens. Borgen starts to get restless, and ROOMBA places his cold, metal hand on Borgen’s shoulder. Another minute goes by, and a very soft rumbling deep in the sand passes by. Sand shifts, and your eyes follow the direction of the rumbling. Dunes rise and fall. You stay there, waiting. ROOMBA fixes his light, and stands up. “WE WILL CONTINUE NOW.”