IV
It was just a simple away mission with the three of them; Bones, Sulu and Chekov, collecting igneous rock samples from the planet surface of Dumaras V so they could be further examined onboard the enterprise. Its Chekov's first away mission and even Bone's dour expression and the fact that all they're doing is finding rocks isn't taking the smile off the young Ensigns face. Bone's doesn't think the kid has actually stopped talking to Sulu since they arrived, and what surprises him is the fact that Sulu doesn't seem to mind, and chatters back quite happily to his helm-partner.
It all seems perfectly fine until they enter a nearby cave; well, Bones says cave but it's really little more then an oversized indentation in the rock face, and then things start to turn bad. The sensors haven't picked up any possibilities of seismic activity, but then again the magnetic properties of the rock have making it hard to give a proper reading of the terrain. In any case, none of them are expecting it when suddenly; a landslide starts up, the ground shaking and the rocks inside the cave falling down on them.
Bones must have been hit on the head because when he wakes up, he has a headache akin to a hangover from Romulan ale, and both he and Chekov are trapped inside the collapsed cave/indentation.
Curiously, Chekov seems more worried about Sulu, who is probably on the other side of the rocks.
"Hikaru? Sulu?" Chekov shouts, but either the rocks are too dense for the sound to carry through or Sulu is unable to respond.
"Do you sink Sulu vill be OK?" The kid asks nervously and Bones has to make a real effort not to groan at the questioning. It's not the kids' fault, but his head is killing him and he needs to concentrate so they can find a way to get out.
"I'm sure he's fine kid. Now, we've gotta figure out how to get out of here" But it's clear to Bones as he looks around that the rocks have sealed them in, and if they even try moving them, from anywhere other then from the other side the rocks will cave in on them again.
"We're just gonna have to wait for the others to find us" McCoy sits down on the dusty floor, cursing his luck that even when he's on a "safe" mission, it turns bad
"But what if he's been hurt?" The kid isn't letting up, and Bones can see he's beginning to get agitated now. " Zhose rocks, zhey could haf hit him, he could be unconscious or injured…"
"Ensign, shut up!" Bones snaps, " You need to grow up and stop worrying about Sulu. The guy can take care of himself"
The pain in McCoy's head has flared and he's on a short fuse as it is. Chekov freezes at McCoys shout, and slowly sits down near the doctor, pale and worried-looking, waiting for the rescue they both hope is going to come. Bones is as concerned for Sulu as Chekov is, but it doesn't hit him till later that Chekov is Sulu's best friend, so is obviously going to be worrying about him. It is probably a bit unfair to yell at him, not to mention dangerous in their present environment, but then again Bones has never been one for niceties, as the two of them settle into a worried and uncomfortable silence.