We must hide the blocks in a safe spot, and then inform Chief Derek about our find. Paul decided to build a hidden room inside Doom Mountain, where we can keep all the blocks. After retrieving the ones he had found under Heat Lake, Paul enclosed the tunnels he built and secured the Copper Blocks in our hiding spot.
“The Copper Blocks are safe, and Heat Lake is back to normal. No one will be able to tell the exact location where we found the blocks, or where we hid them.” I replied. “Chief Derek and Doc Ivy are the only ones who know that Heat Lake might have Copper Blocks, and I am sure they are not going to tell anyone.”
“Speaking of Chief Derek, we must let him know what we found.” Paul replied.
“Yes, good point. By the way, we could give him four Copper Blocks as a gift for his support.” I replied.
“Are you sure? I don’t think he deserves anything. He has already profited off of the other blocks. It’s none of our business if Frank Bones backed down on that deal.” Tom replied.
“No, I think Morgan is right. We should reward chief with those four blocks as a sign of our gratitude. He did get this tunnel finished after all.” Nora replied.
“Alright, but I don’t think he deserves it.” Tom replied.
“Do we all agree that ten Copper Blocks is enough to convince Frank Bones to sell and deliver his medical equipment to us? Doc Ivy will be pleased to receive such a massive upgrade in her lab.” I replied.
“I am sure she will be. There is no need to tell Frank Bones that we have 30 Copper Blocks and even more underneath Heat Lake. If we do, he’ll definitely ask for more. We’ll tell him we only have ten and nothing else.” Paul suggested.
“I’ll go with Paul’s suggestion.” Tom replied.
“Me too.” Nora replied.
“Okay. Let’s retrieve 14 Copper Blocks from the hideout, four for Chief Derek and ten for Frank Bones. We are going to deliver the blocks to them right away.” I said.
Paul, wearing his protective suit, took out the blocks. We covered them again with a special black tarp to protect us, and Paul hauled the blocks onto our backs. Tom and Nora carried five each, and I carried the other four. Paul came along walking. We headed to the Nether village and looked for Chief Derek, who was just returning to check on our progress.
“Ah, I was going to look for you.” Chief Derek replied. “So, how was it down there? Any luck with the lake?”
I placed the four Copper Blocks on the ground. Chief Derek’s jaw almost reached the floor.
“What is this?”
“Yes chief, they are Copper Blocks, and they are all for you. It’s a gift from us. Please take them.” I replied.
“Thank you so much. I’ll gladly accept this gift.” Chief Derek replied. “Wait a moment, didn’t you have to give one to Frank Bones?” That’s when Chief Derek looked over at Nora’s and Tom’s backs and saw the other Copper Blocks. “Oh my, don’t tell me that…”
“Yes. We have found more.” Paul replied. “The mission was a success!”
“Amazing! How many blocks are there?” Chief Derek asked.
“Ten blocks. We will give them to Frank Bones and purchase his medical equipment.” Tom replied.
“That’s great! But I think ten is way too much. We may buy it with just five. Now give me the other five, I’ll take good care of them.”
“No.” I replied.
“Pardon?” Chief Derek was confused.
“I said no. We are not taking any chances here. If we show up with five, Frank Bones might not sell us the equipment.”
“Strider, who do you think owns those Copper Blocks? They are mine. I am the one who decides what to do with them.” Chief Derek told me.
“I believe you are wrong, chief.” I replied. “The Copper Blocks were found inside Heat Lake, our beloved home. They are not yours to take. You already had your chance with the original 12 Copper Blocks, and you sold them. These are ours and we decide what to do with them.”
“Excuse me? You have the nerve to answer me that, Strider. The blocks are mine. Now Paul, hand them over to me. I decide what to do with the blocks.”
“No chief, Morgan is right.” Paul replied. “The blocks are theirs, and they get to decide how to distribute them.”
“You are betraying me, Paul!” Chief Derek replied.
“Hey, enough with this.” Tom intervened. “Chief, get out of our way. If you try to steal our blocks, we will let everyone in the village know that their own leader is stealing what is not his. How do you think they are going to act after hearing that?”
“They would never listen to that!”
“Are you sure? Do you want to give it a try? Do you really want to ruin your reputation over some blocks that do not belong to you?” Tom threatened him again.
“I… I…” Chief Derek looked around. Some villagers were listening to the conversation, and others gathered around after hearing all the commotion caused by Tom and Chief.
“Come on! Try us!” Tom said.
“Fine. I give up. Have it your way, Striders.” Chief Derek replied. “You must go to Albeja now.”
“Thank you, chief, it’s a pleasure doing business with you.” I said, as we left the Nether village and headed back once again to the city of Albeja. Chief Derek did not try to stop us and instead put on his protective suit to carry his blocks away.