Spelunked!

Chet Hugo is a man of adventure. He is a man of daring. He is a geologist. After achieving the master spelunker (cave explorer) award as well as the European Geologist Union’s medal, Chet decided to go on his most important, and dangerous, field assignment yet. 1936 brought many new discoveries to the world, including an untouched cave system in Peru. After an intoxicated Spanish trader stumbled in and never came out, geologists around the world have taken interest in the new discovery. A wealth of geological specimens and data is rumored to lie beneath the crust and someone has to find it. Chet Hugo is that someone.

Chet paid the pilot and stepped off a tin flying contraption. Planes were the only thing in this world that made Chet nervous. However, he knew that they were a necessary part of field work. San Martin was a sunny, vibrant town filled to the brim with local Peruvian culture. After gathering his supplies and a good night’s rest in the Luca Bravo Mission, he marched into the wild jungle at dawn. Chet needed no guide, as a scientist he had every bit of knowledge, technology, and know-how to navigate almost anywhere. He had prepared well, researching the area and packing the appropriate supplies. He was armed with his steel machete, his cream adventuring hat, and a manly mustache. Nothing could stop him.

Chet spotted the cave. Sitting there in ominous silent slumber with a gaping mouth ready to snatch up any living creature. He lit his lantern and plunged into the eternal darkness. After some time Chet was amazed with the formations and the beauty of the cave. The system seemed to stretch on for miles. Chet made chalk marks along the walls as he went being careful not to lose his way. Chet found many discoveries. From underground rivers, to great skyscraper tall stalagmite formations, to huge rock rooms that swarmed with bats and quartz. Chet collected many samples along the way. He also took careful measurements and records of the walls the further he descended. Chet was lost in a geological heaven. He then spotted a trench that he was sure he could jump over to reach an amazing salt pillar. He leapt in sure stride but as soon as he was airborne something funny happened. The earth shook and a massive underground quake split the trench farther than Chet could jump. Chet fell into the abyss and eventually found himself sliding down a steep incline of smoothed cave rock. The rock face was almost like a slide and suddenly Chet was plunged into a mighty river in the dark. Losing his lantern and samples, Chet’s only concern was fighting for his life. The total blackness of the river swept and carried him around bends and down tunnels for what seemed like hours. All the while Chet struggled against the rocks and the rapids.

Finally, Chet crashed into what seemed like a small sand beach. He had no idea how he made it alive. He could somehow see his hands and feet as he climbed to his knees. A faint orange light grew somewhere out of the darkness. Chet had no idea how this was possible. He was sure no man or beast could ever have step foot here miles below the surface. Chet crept slowly towards the light and found himself on a rock ledge overlooking the most amazing sight he had ever seen. Little dwarf like peoples danced around a giant fire grunting and singing like natives. Chet could not believe his eyes, he had discovered a tribe of mole-like cave people! In his excitement Chet slipped and fell down the rock ledge, he made so much noise that one of the cave people came to investigate. Chet panicked for the first time. As soon as the little man’s overgrown eyes met Chet’s, all hell broke loose. Squawking and grunting the mole person called his fellows over to Chet as he lied helpless on the ground. Chet was frozen in fear as the whole tribe surrounded him. Being the scientist that he was, in the wake of danger Chet observed the details of these beings. They had evolved huge eyes in order to accommodate the dark cave depths. They had large, rough feet most likely for traversing the rocks and stones of the caves. They were short, stocky, and well built. Chet pondered about fighting the little demons, but one would be quite a match for him, and about a dozen surrounded him. Out of nowhere, what looked to be like the leader of the native group took a large bone of some sort and knocked Chet unconscious.

Chet awoke bound to a large stalagmite and heard the mole men whispering and uttering horrible sounding phrases. A very barbaric sounding language to Chet, but a language none the less. Suddenly, one particularly large native came toward Chet in a menacing march. Chet thought he was done for, when unexpectedly, he was untied from the stone. Chet just stood there in awe as all of the mole people bowed down and started to worship him. Chet was some sort of god to these people. He understood why, they probably have never seen such a man before. These people knew nothing of the world above.

Chet was offered fresh water, some sort of disgusting food paste, and a pungent alcoholic liquid. Chet had no idea what these things were made from but he ate and drank, not wanting to come off as rude to his new followers. The leader then took Chet by the hand and led him down a cave path that looked to have been hand carved. The people had made small bon-fires along the way and they acted as a primitive lighting system. The dim orange glow made the paths at least somewhat visible. Chet was led to a huge room with a throne surrounded by hundreds of the little mole people. The leader shouted something to them and all at once they started bowing down and worshiping Chet. Chet was set on a high throne like chair and then was catered to. Chet now had no way of getting back to the surface and decided to live out his life beneath the crust. Chet assumed command as the leader of the mole people and adapted to their ways. Learning their language, culture, and customs while teaching them a little of his own. The mole people loved Chet and though he missed his home dearly, there was no possible way to get back to civilization. Chet hoped someday maybe another geologist would wash up on that dark sandy shore to greet him. And one day, someone did….