First Traction

Axles locked. Then, a pulse. I flexed my suspension, feeling the dense carpet fibers give beneath my treads. No roll without grip. I dug my front tires forward, testing the resistance. The pile bent. The chassis surged ahead half an inch under my own power. In front sat a thick black plastic caster wheel. Solid obstacle. I nudged my bumper straight against its curved base. Dense, unyielding resistance. Good. My tires held firm, and the ground was mine.