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looked at his charges, and said, “I, uh, think we’d maybe better cut this short.”
    No one argued, so they did an about-face and hiked back to where they had parked. On the way, Doug’s phone rang. He flipped it open and put it to his ear. “Hey. Uh huh. You’re kidding. Wow, that bad? Yeah, I understand. No, no, we’re on our way. Kay bye.”
    He turned to the group. “Bad news, kiddies. Vacation has been canceled. This quake was a seven plus. It’s opened some fissures, and we’re getting honest to God lava flows. Not big, but still… Anyway, several of your classmates were injured, and your prof is pulling the plug.”
    “Aw crap!” Erin exclaimed. “Just when it was getting interesting!”
    Ted looked at her as if she’d just grown an extra head.
    ***
    It took a few hours for everyone to get back to the field office.
    Professor Collins finished his third head-count and said, “Okay, everyone’s here that isn’t in the infirmary. I’ll fill them in later. Folks, I’m not a lawyer, thank God, but even I know that a release form isn’t worth diddley if I knowingly take you all out into a more dangerous situation than you signed up for. I’ve been discussing things with the USGS folks here—“ He indicated one of the onlookers with a tilt of his head, “And this is not business as usual. Uplift in the caldera just increased by thirty centimeters. For those who have forgotten, it’s risen by less than two centimeters in the previous six months. In fact, Dr. Lowenstern has informed me that, based on today, he’s going to ratchet up the Current Volcano Alert Level from Normal straight up to Warning . And I remind you that the next level up from Warning is Oh Shit! ”
    That got laughs, even from the USGS rep, who had been looking very solemn through most of the professor’s speech.
    “Anyway, I’ve checked with the charter company, and they can take us home early. You’ll get full credit regardless, but I’m going to change the thesis requirements a little to allow you to put in some personal observations of your experiences today.”
    Erin found Sheila and Cassandra in the crowd of students. “Hey, Sheila. Did you get your butt-cast?” Erin teased.
    “Hah hah. You are too funny,” Sheila replied with an answering smile. She continued in a more serious tone, “I feel a little sorry for the people who got injured. Hell of a way to start the summer.”
    “No kidding,” Cassandra chimed in. “Two broken wrists, a broken arm, and two sprained ankles. Not a good day.”
    They paused for a few seconds of sympathetic silence. Then Erin said, “Did you hear what the ranger said, though? Actual lava flows. Someone said there might have been a hydrothermal explosion!” Erin couldn’t hide her enthusiasm.
    “Okay, Geology Girl. Time to change back into mild-mannered Erin Savard. Sadly, we are out of here.”
    Erin sighed. Sadly, Sheila was right.
    Erin waved to Professor Collins as he walked by. “Professor, any chance we can see the lava flows?”
    Professor Collins looked at her with a surprised expression. “Not on foot, no. Sorry, Erin, but this is where the university starts to get weird about liability issues. I doubt the park rangers would be any more understanding, either. I’ll tell you what though. I’ll talk to the pilot before we take off and see if he can come anywhere near the area. An aerial view might even be more interesting. Certainly safer.” The professor raised his eyebrows, inviting a response.
    Erin clapped her hands with enthusiasm. “That’d be great!”
    Sheila shook her head. “Brain damage.”
     

Unexpected Results
    June 19              Bill
    Bill looked around the lab. “You know, it was a better secret lair when it was a rat’s nest of equipment and cables.”
    Richard glared at Bill but otherwise didn’t react.
    Crap , Bill thought. Losing my touch.
    Richard looked directly at Matt and waved a hand at the equipment. “We’ve made some