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unearthed a few sticks that shot out behind her like spears.
    Shielded by tree trunks and bushes, the animals watched the wombat burrow and plow. Then the shower of earth stopped. Slowly, the group emerged from their cover. As the air cleared, Cora beamed. Before her stood a gaping hole in the ground.
    â€œLet’s get down there,” she said. “Now.”

Chapter Eighteen
    THE FACILITY

    C reeping along single file, the animals descended into the earth.
    â€œIt’s so dark,” whispered Cora.
    Tobin could not help but agree. The tunnel was narrow, and the damp walls were cold and rough. He followed behind the bats, who led the way through the winding underground maze.
    After a series of tight corners, the cave suddenly expanded. The walls turned from dark dirt to glossywhite stone that glowed with a strange blue light.
    â€œI’ve never seen anything like this,” said Dawn.
    â€œMuch too bright in this joint for us,” said a bat, shielding his face with one wing.
    â€œCouldn’t sleep a wink down here,” said another.
    â€œIt’s beautiful,” breathed Cora.
    The animals continued on in silence, captivated by the ghostly light and long shadows. They began to lose sense of time. Was it still night? Was it morning? With no view of the sky, there was no way to tell.
    Suddenly, Dawn drew to a halt.
    â€œShhh.” She drew a paw to her lips. “I hear something.”
    Treading softly, the pack approached a bend in the path. The light grew brighter as they rounded the curve.
    Cora gasped. Tobin gulped. Even the coyotes held their breath.
    The cave opened up into a great, vaulted chamber with a huge marble floor. It was a flat, oblong surface that stretched from wall to wall and shone as though it were polished. Across its center was painted a vertical red line.
    Waterfalls fed pools at both ends of the room. The churning water, which must have carved this naturalcavern over thousands of years, glowed with sapphire light.
    â€œThe water’s the source of the glow,” whispered Ciro.
    Dawn crept to the edge of the precipice and peered down. “Looks like Sea Sparkle,” she said.
    â€œSea Sparkle?” Cora tilted her head. Her eyes flickered with blue.
    â€œIt’s a tiny creature that lives in the ocean. It shimmers with the motion of the waves. I’ve seen it before, but only a few specks.” The fox paused and turned back toward the glow. “Never so many. Never like this.”
    Ciro edged his way round the bats to stand next to Dawn. For a moment, they sat side-by-side and marveled at the beauty of the cave. But suddenly, a throaty bellow filled the room.
    â€œDon’t you dare argue with me,” said the booming voice. “Do it now!”
    Cora shuddered and nestled next to Tobin. Dawn’s ears flicked on end.
    â€œY-y-yes. Yes, of course.” A second voice floated through the air. “Okay th-then.” This one was thin and nasal—and very familiar.
    â€œJerry!” whispered Tobin.
    Ajax clawed the white marble ground. “Let’s go!” he hissed. “I’ll teach that jerboa not to lie to a coyote!”
    Ciro placed a paw on his friend’s back. “Hold on now,” he said. “We can’t afford to be careless.”
    â€œYes, we need a plan,” agreed Dawn. The fox looked over the room, taking in the height of the ceiling, the placement of the waterfalls. They were standing on an upper ledge that encircled the entire chamber. Closer to the ground was a tunnel leading deeper into the cave system. The voices sounded like they were echoing from below—that tunnel would be a good place to start looking.
    Dawn turned toward the group. “Bats,” she said, “you four keep watch. Remain undetected at all costs. That means no joking around.”
    â€œ Svor !” They stood in line and saluted, their backs straight as sticks. Then, flapping their wings, they flew