Page 78 of Falling for the Firefighter
"They'd provide shelter from the fire." Donovan finishes my thought. "A way to ride out the worst of it until conditions improve."
Hope flickers, fragile but persistent. I pull out my father's old journal, filled with handwritten notes and hand-drawn maps from decades of mountain exploration. The pages on the high country tunnel system are sparse—rough sketches, partial measurements, observations cut short by corporate interference.
"Here." I locate a relevant entry. "Dad noted a vertical shaft that vented near Whiterock Ridge. If it's still accessible..."
"It would be within half a mile of Parker's current position." Donovan traces the potential route. "But how do we know if it's still open? If it's stable enough to shelter that many people?"
"We don't." The admission costs me. "But it's their best chance."
Donovan makes the call instantly. "All units, this is Command. Alternative shelter option identified near Beta position. Possible underground system with access via vertical shaft near Whiterock Ridge."
Static answers, followed by broken transmission fragments as the fire's electromagnetic interference disrupts communications. Then Mac's voice cuts through, remarkably clear:"Alpha Leader copies. Location of shaft entrance?"
I grab the radio, heart pounding. "My father's notes show a vertical shaft approximately four hundred yards northwest of Parker's position. Look for a rock formation shaped like a wolf'shead. Entrance should be at the base, partially obscured by brush."
"Copy that."The connection wavers."Stability assessment?"
"Unknown." I force myself to deliver the complete truth. "Dad's exploration was limited. Notes indicate the main chamber extends at least fifty feet into solid rock, with possible additional passages. Air quality noted as good due to natural ventilation."
A pause stretches, filled with static and the distant roar of fire."Understood. Moving to investigate."
"Mac—" I hesitate, aware of the command center staff listening. "The shaft may be collapsed. These notes are thirty years old."
"Then we'll dig."His determination carries through despite the deteriorating connection."Beta Leader reports fire tornado now fully formed. Their position will be overrun within twenty minutes. This is their only chance."
The transmission ends, leaving us in tense silence broken only by the constant updates from other sectors and the evacuation coordination. I stare at the tactical display, watching Mac's icon move with agonizing slowness toward Parker's trapped teams, acutely aware that technology cannot capture the hell through which he moves.
"He'll find it." Eleanor's quiet confidence anchors me. "And your father's maps will save them, just as they saved those campers."
I nod, unable to speak past the knot in my throat. All we can do now is wait, and hope, and pray to mountains that have never shown particular interest in human survival.
Minutes stretch like hours. Radio communication becomes increasingly fragmentary as the fire intensity grows. The southern defensive position reports directly to command, theirsituation stable but tense as they watch the distant fire tornado tear through the central gap.
Then, like a miracle, Mac's voice breaks through:"Alpha Leader to Command. Shaft located. Entrance partially collapsed but accessible. Proceeding to Beta position to guide personnel back."
Relief crashes through me, so powerful my knees nearly buckle. "Copy, Alpha Leader. Status of shaft interior?"
"Initial assessment confirms your father's notes."The pride in Mac's voice is unmistakable despite the poor connection."Main chamber adequate for shelter. Natural ventilation functioning. Secondary passages extend further than documented."
"Copy that." My voice steadies; the professional mask slides back into place. "Beta Leader status?"
"Moving to rendezvous now. Fire tornado tracking east of their position. Window narrowing rapidly."
The next forty minutes pass in excruciating slowness. Sporadic transmissions track the evacuation attempt—Mac reaching Parker's position, the firefighters regrouping for the push toward the shaft, the fire tornado changing direction to threaten their escape route.
"Command, this is Alpha Leader."Mac's transmission comes through broken but understandable."First group entering shaft now. Parker leading. Five personnel secured."
Hope rises, cautious but persistent. "Copy, Alpha Leader. Remaining personnel?"
"Moving final group now. Fire conditions deteriorating rapidly. Air becoming unsuitable for—"His transmission cuts off abruptly.
"Alpha Leader, report." Sheriff Donovan leans toward the radio, tension evident in every line of his body. "Alpha Leader, do you copy?"
Silence answers, broken only by static and the distant sounds of emergency operations. Minutes pass with no further contact from Mac or Parker. The tactical display shows their last known positions, icons frozen in time at the edge of the advancing inferno.
"Command to any units near Whiterock Ridge." Donovan broadcasts on all channels. "Status report requested for Alpha and Beta teams."
More silence. The command center staff exchange grim looks, the possibility of massive casualties settling like lead in the air.
