About forty-five minutes later the group of approximately eighty-five set out through the inter-winding underground caves. The journey was long and precarious, but with the lieutenant's preceding insight, it was not too difficult. Only two hours remained before the Mikellan sun novaed. Gigantic solar flares had already begun to cause turbulence on the journey. They pressed on, despite the continuing quakes.
Nearly an hour had gone by before the big one hit. The group was entering one of the larger caverns, with Kaimana and Captain Ridger in the lead, when the whole planet trembled. Rocks fell from the cave walls and encompassed the terrified party. The group was divided in two.
* * * * * * * * * *
Minutes past without movement from either side of the party. Finally, Kai stirred. She winced as she touched the blood on her forehead. As she attempted to get up, spasms of pain shot through her left leg, forcing her down again. A large chunk of rock had fallen on her leg, pinning her down. Lt. Rayn looked around. From what she could tell, she was trapped alone in a cornered off section of the larger cavern they had been in. No, wait! There was something else, buried beneath the rocks. `Who is it?' she wondered. She scanned it telepathically. It was difficult to tell because the signal was so weak, but she recognized the mind she touched instantly.
With a great burst of strength, Kai managed to move the rock off her leg. It was drenched in blood. Ripping off a piece of her sleeve off, she tied a turniquet just above the wound. Dragging it behind her, Kai gritted her teeth and hauled herself over to the rock pile and began to dig frantically.
Slowly, an arm began to show. Kai was beginning to drip with perspiration as the trapped air was slowly drained from the small room. The rocks burying the Captain's body seemed only to multiply instead of becoming fewer. Her arms began to grow weary as she tossed the heavy boulders to the side. Telepathically, she knew he was barely hanging on to life but he was slipping. She had to get him out fast. Their air was nearly gone.
Ever so slowly did the Captain's upper body emerge from the rubble of the destroyed cavern. Kai's hands shook as she removed the last of the large boulders. Carefully, she brushed off the loose rocks and dust. Gingerly, she placed her hand on the Captain's neck to check for a pulse. Kai sighed in relief; he was breathing and had a pulse, though it was thready and irregular. With that assurance, Kaimana rested against the remaining rock pile. She wrung her hands together as they shook uncontrollably.
Desperately, she tried to telepathically signal the rest of the group, to let them know that they were still alive... although barely. Try as hard as she might, she just didn't have enough strength to send a message. She would have to dig her way out to get help.
Wincing in pain, she dragged herself to the wall and began to push aside the rocks. There was only enough air for a few more minutes so she would have to hurry. She could only hope to clear enough boulders and rocks either to let more air in, or for the others to find them; assuming they were still alive.