Jack quickly made his way along the side of the tunnel. The Sebecians had carefully capped the mine entrance of the mine, protecting the crystalline caves. However the entrance to the miner's quarters was locked and sealed. He pressed his ear against the door and listened.
Nothing.
"Come on, come on," he muttered. Jack pounded on the door. "Be there. Don't let them win." He pounded on the door again and listened.
A faint knocking responded.
"Still alive," he breathed. "Jaris, remember the code," Jack mumbled, "Remember." Jack looked around and saw no one had entered the tunnel behind him, and began pounding the door in a staccato pattern.
As the miners answered the pattern, Jack took the charges out of his pouch and attached them to the door, then backed away, ducking behind a mining trolley.
The blast pushed the door forward, revealing a crowd of men and boys silhouetted in the dust gasping for breath. A tall black man rushed forward and gave Jack a bear hug.
"You came back!" Jaris exclaimed as released his friend.
"Don't I always?" Jack grinned. "But this isn't the time for reunions." He looked around. "Where's Keevan?"
Jaris turned around, "Keevan! Answer me!" Jaris looked around wildly. "Jack, my son was just here."
"I'll get him," Jack peered into the darkened room. "You must lead the rest out. Now. Meet down by the lake in the valley away from here." Jaris hesitated. "Now! Go! Go! Go!"
Jack took a torch from the pouch and lunged into the quarters, checking into places a child might hide, under beds, and closets, He found the small child cowering behind a cupboard. Keevan moved further back into the closet.
"Keevan," Jack said softly as he crouched down, "Remember, me? I'm Uncle Jack, your father's friend." The child's frightened eyes glittered in the dark. "We have to go now." Jack reached out. "Your dad is waiting for you. Come on. I'll carry you."
The boy reached back and climbed into Jack's arms.
"Shhh, hold tight." Jack held the child close as he crept along the wall of the tunnel and edged towards the entrance. Jaris was waiting.
"The rest are on their way down," Jaris said as he gratefully transferred Keenan from Jack's arms. "Thank you, my friend."
Jack turned to go up the hill.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Jaris questioned.
"No, just stay by the lake out of sight. The Sebecians are leaving with the cargo. I need to get help before they return. Take your son, go quickly…please."
Jaris looked at his friend, reluctantly nodded, and turned towards the valley and ran.