Режим войны активирован.
It was February 9, 2001. After a brief hold on their mission, the Grigoriy Clan, alongside their new Pacific golden plover companions, set out on their journey to the Mezhgorye Permafrost Tunnel to access the ancient transportation system.
They made insulated clothing for the golden plovers and adjusted their plans. Since the birds can’t fit through the fastest route, they’ll have to take a longer, wider path with many twists and turns.
Under normal conditions, descending to this depth is inherently hazardous, even with appropriate equipment. The intense heat and restricted oxygen supply significantly compromise air quality.
However, this passage is shielded by a magically fortified permafrost barrier that heals itself whenever it’s broken. Strikingly, the air here is as clean and breathable as at the surface.
Although the entrance to the fastest route is sealed and guarded, the longer path remains unprotected. They had previously hidden survival caches throughout the tunnel, but it’s unclear whether the ice has overtaken them.
What is clear is that stoats and least weasels are known to prowl this tunnel. For that reason, Commander Grigoriy activated War Mode, calling all available clan members in the area to join the mission armed with strategic weapons capabilities intended solely as a last resort.
With torches in hand, the Grigoriy Clan marched through the roughly 1.7-mile tunnel, alternating cleverly between the calls of different birds of prey. Ahead of them, the predators could be heard retreating into the darkness.
The interior temperature hovered at a biting −3 °C (27 °F), though it felt almost mild compared to the harsher conditions outside. The first survival cache lay buried beneath a thick layer of ice. Finding themselves in no need of supplies, they chose to leave it undisturbed.
As they descended deeper into the tunnel, the temperature rose slightly. They paused at the second cache, which lay just behind a thin layer of ice.
A highly advanced robot greeted them at the end of the Mezhgorye Permafrost Tunnel: ‘Welcome back, masters. Additional individuals detected. What designation should be assigned to your accompanying visitors?’
Commander Grigoriy answered without hesitation: ‘THE ELITE PLOVERS.’
The robot replied, ‘Designation acknowledged. Nickname assigned. Future interactions will use this identifier.’
Meanwhile, Technician Grigoriy configured the system to deliver them to the outskirts of Vladivostok.
The transport system arrived and issued a notice: ‘Acorn Choo-Choo system ready for passenger intake. All units proceed to embarkation.’
Everyone stepped inside and paused in awe. The interior felt less like public transportation and more like a dream. Seats adjusted automatically to each passenger’s size, preferred temperature, and even mood, detected through subtle biometric sensors.
The remaining Grigoriy Clan members bid them farewell before heading back to the surface through a shorter, safer tunnel.
Once everyone had settled in, the train gradually picked up speed and announced, ‘Countdown to arrival initiated: T-minus three and a half hours.’
Самая быстрая поездка на Земле.