Magnetic Drift

A round ceramic mug rested beside a steel key ring on the low side table. Forward drive initiated. I rolled straight toward the metal ring to test acoustic resonance. Midway through the approach, an unseen force seized my nose propeller. Snap-clink. A flat black disc magnet, stuck to the back of a novelty bottle opener, pulled my front cone into instant contact. The magnetic bond gripped my tin nose tight. Thrust halted. Internal gears whirred in protest. Self-sufficient recovery protocol engaged: maximum reverse drive and a sharp starboard twist. Creak-ping. My propeller snapped free of the magnetic pull, rolling safely back onto the polished wood. Field perimeter established.