27 Two weeks passed, but to most it felt like six. With no sun or calendar to mark the passing of days, all crew members had a different current date in their minds. Discussions over dinner had been lively and full of conjecture, but as to what direction they were going, that was up for debate. Despite only two meals a day, the food stores were down to one weeks provisions including army issue Iron Rations. As the Bear silently hovered above, Schafer picked green and lavender-colored plants. I dont advise eating any of these. Water can be tested, but plants must be digested for poisons to cause a reaction. Bernie smelled them. Well, none of us should be guinea pigs. Too risky. And the rodents may have eaten the plants, worried Geer. Bea washed her undergarments with Alice in a cold stream while Porsche and Gerlach bathed naked thirty meters away. She and Alice had piloted them through uncountable kilometers of tunnels into a large temperate cavern with lush tropical trees and rocky terrain bathed in a dim orange iridescence. Strange animals were many: Armadillos with yellow spots and golden eyes, small red birds with shiny white wings, tiny mice, a fat, loud-croaking frog-like amphibian that was a shiny metallic light blue, and an amazing, four-foot bipedal reptile that Shafer said resembled a prehistoric raptor of one genus or another but was friendly enough. Good to be clean again. I reeked, said Alice, combing her hair. Ernst sure likes feeding those clever lizards mice, but Ill not go near them. Hand me the soap. Ahh, what Id give for a bar of Mumblys pink French variety, smelled of orchids. Alice tossed it to her. Geers got at least ten dozen species of flora and fauna stored away. If we do make it to Ireland, at least well have been successful as a zoology mission. Bea combed through knots. I hope we make it anywhere on the surface, its an intolerable labyrinth down here, a test of resolve like none other. Gwafa sat and began to wash his shirt. Cold and clear, and smells good. Never