Although it seemed as though they were travelling at phenomenal speed, in the darkness they were unable to make out any landmarks to accurately gauge their velocity.   But they knew that the city was many kilometres from the surface of Mount Wanderei and feared that the roller coaster ride might last half an hour or longer.   But after only fifteen minutes or so Ernie realised the previously impenetrable darkness engulfing them was gradually beginning to lighten.   Almost before they knew it the two men could make out the sides of the tunnel, which they were whizzing along only a dozen centimetres away from.

“The entranceway!” shouted Bear as they suddenly saw the cave entrance lit up against the backdrop of the moon and stars.

Ernie started to reply but didn’t have the opportunity as both men raced out through the entrance way and came to an abrupt halt.   Both men landed roughly on their backsides and rolled a few metres out onto the mount before coming to a complete stop.

‘Well, I guess that answers my question anyway!’ thought Ernie as he received a thought image from the Elders apologising for the painful landing.   “Telekinesis is a little unstable and difficult to control over so great a distance,” they explained as the two men pulled themselves to their feet.

“Well, that’s half of the problem solved,” said Bear; “we’re on the mount.   But now how do we keep the hunting party away from the cave entrance?”

Ernie started to answer when they heard the sound of loud voices not far away and realised that the hunters were only a couple of hundred metres away, heading in their direction.

“Quick, what’ll we do?” demanded Bear.

Ernie desperately wracked his brain for a solution, then seeing his Range Rover still parked a little above the cave entrance, he had a touch of inspiration.   “You try to join up with the hunting party and stall them as long as you can,” he said.

“What about you?”

“I’ve got an idea I want to try.   But it will take a little while to set up, so I need you to delay them for as long as you possibly can.”