Page 7 of His Lucky Paige

“We show your trackers as being under section six, is that right?” she questioned.

“We’re about a hundred yards from section five right now, the upper shaft is blocked preventing us from going anywhere but down,” he admitted.

“Okay I need two of you to go check the tunnels to three and the micro shaft,” she said slowly to let them understand.

“Got it,” Harry said breaking up a bit.

“What are you thinking Paige?” he added once the two scouts left.

“You don’t want to know right now Harry,” she told him. “Take it easy and call us when you’ve got the answers.”

“Will do Paige,” Harry replied.

“You’ve got a plan, don’t you?” Jerry asked.

“Depending on the answers yeah,” she said. “Joel, can you check further down the west shaft? See if you can reach the number two passage.”

“Paige, are you insane?” Doug stated staring at the map. “That’s over four hundred feet down, there’s no way we’ll be able to reach number two.”

“I don’t plan on having them drill on number two,” she told them putting a pin into the map. “I’m planning on drilling here.”

“Good lord girl, that’ll never work,” Bobby argued.

“Would one of you like to tell me what she’s up to?” Joel demanded through the walkie.

“She wants to drill the rescue tunnel down to the micro where it intersects the west shaft,” Mike said taking the walkie from her. “Please tell her that it’s impossible.”

“Does Paige ever listen when someone says it’s impossible?” Joel laughed. “Paige that will only work if we’re all out of the shaft; so, how do you plan to ensure that?”

“Harry’s guys are checking on the tunnel to three and the micro shaft from their point on five. Is two open?” she added seeing his tracker nearing the intersection.

“It’s open Paige,” he replied.

“Good, go back and get the others,” she instructed. “Once you’re all into passage two let me know.”

“Did I ever tell you you’re insanely bossy?” he countered.

“All the time Joel and once you’re back up top you can tell me just how nuts this idea was and then give me a huge thank you,” she said with a smile.

“I’ll give you something,” he muttered but she let it pass being trapped underground for over twelve hours gave him the right to grouch.

“Paige,” Harry sounded. “The tunnel’s clear to the micro shaft until you hit seven from what we can tell.”

“Alright, I need everyone to move to tunnel three, once you’ve reached it follow the micro shaft down to two. You should meet up with the others near the west shaft,” she instructed.

“Why do I get the feeling that won’t be the end of it?” Harry inquired.

“Because it’s not,” she admitted. “There’s no way to get a drill down to you on two but I’m planning on sending the tunnel down where the west shaft and section three meet.”

“It’s brilliant if you can get the drill down that far,” Harry told her. “I don’t think you’ve thought about the terrain up top where you’re talking about.”

“It’s the only place I can be confident that the drilling won’t disrupt the rest of the sections. I can’t risk the rest of the mine collapsing in while we’re trying to get you out,” she replied. “I’ve got a few friends on their way with a drill that I’m sure will be able to get down there, trust me, Harry.”

“Always do,” he answered, “might lose you for a bit, this area was always crap for reception.”

“Got it Harry,” she said checking the clock. Eleven forty-five, the drill should be there in another hour and once it was, she hoped the others would back her. She didn’t need a mutiny on her hands about her choice of shaft placement.

“We have a drill here,” Lenny offered.

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