I'm back from our trip to Virginia. Thanks for being patient waiting for this chapter. Hope you enjoy it. Kathy Rose, where would I be without you? You are the best!
Chapter 16
Archer, Malcolm, Hoshi, two engineers, and Michael flew down to the asteroid in Shuttlepod One. As they made their approach to land, they could see a bubble-like dome situated on a relatively level area on the asteroid. Malcolm, who was piloting, carefully docked the shuttlepod at one of the dome's access points.
"According to the readings," Fred Lowell of engineering said, "the atmosphere inside while breathable, is a bit thin -- equivalent of say Denver, Colorado."
"And they do utilize some type of artificial gravity inside," added Cynthia Cressell, or as the engineering crew called her "CC."
Opening the hatch, they were greeted by three representatives of the Viteni. They were tall, while thin, were quite broad across the chest. Taking that in account along with their pale complexion, they appeared to be quite frail.
The shortest of the three Viteni stepped forward, crossed his long slender arms over his chest, and inclined his bald pate. He spoke, the sound of his voice consisting of a series of clicks and whistles delivered in varying intensities. Hoshi listened carefully and when they were finished, she translated.
"He says that they thank us for coming so quickly. They are starting to assemble the families and will be ready to leave as soon as transportation arrives. Their immediate concern is the trapped scientists, and he bids us to follow them. They have been in contact with the trapped people through the use of communication devices. They appear to be okay except for some minor injuries, but they aren't sure how much longer they'll be able to survive if the tunnel is to shift again."
Archer bobbed his head. "Thanks, Hoshi. Please tell them we'll do our best to help them."
Hoshi translated the message. While she had to speak slower than the Viteni, the message appeared to be received and understood. The man held up both hands and flapped the tips of his long fingers to the heal of his palm -- which seemed to be the equivalent of nodding.
The away team each donned a hard hat and picked up various backpacks and equipment bags containing tools and rescue equipment. They then followed their hosts, passing by several smaller domes, all of which seemed to have suffered some type of damage. All the Viteni they encountered paused upon seeing them and bowed in greeting.
"They seem nice," Hoshi said softly.
"Appearances can be deceiving," Malcolm said. From his position to the right of the communications officer, he had easily heard her comment. "But you're right. At first glance, they appear to be amiable."
Michael on her left had heard the exchange. "See, Malcolm? You probably didn't need to come down at all."
"It's always my hope that my services aren't needed, Michael. If at the end of this away mission we can look back and, having saved the scientists, also count the Viteni as friends, then I will be satisfied. But I forget -- that wouldn't make a good story, now would it?"
That seemed to shut Michael up, for there were no more comments between the twins as they reached their scene of the accident.
The bald Viteni spoke and Hoshi translated. "He says the entrance is just ahead. They have provided illumination, and he warns us to be careful."
The group entered the tunnel's entrance and, forming a single line with the Viteni at the lead, moved deeper underground.
"Captain," Crewman Fred Lowell spoke up. "The beams used to construct this tunnel don't appear to be structurally sound."
"That's true," Cynthia added. "To provide proper support in a quake event, they should have been at least twice as thick. It's no wonder there was a problem."
The Viteni asked Hoshi what was being said and, after she told him, she translated his response.
"He says the beams are the largest they are able to use in such a confined space as everything had to be done by hand. Anything larger would make it impossible to work with. It seems to me that while these aliens are tall, they aren't very strong," Hoshi said, adding her own observation.
Reaching the cave-in, the alien pointed towards the roof of the tunnel.
"There's an opening at the top," Hoshi translated. "He says we should be able to see the trapped scientists from there."
"Let's take a look, Malcolm," Archer said. "Everyone else, please step back. If this pile shifts, I don't want anyone else hurt or trapped."
Malcolm nodded and dropped his pack to the ground. Reaching inside, he withdrew a pair of flashlights, one of which he tossed to Archer who caught it deftly. Next, he took out two pairs of gloves, and gave one pair to the Captain.
"Always prepared, Malcolm?" Archer joked, pulling on one of the gloves.
"Ever the Boy Scout," Michael piped up. It wasn't a compliment.
"What's wrong with being a Boy Scout?" Archer asked, looking up at the source of the outburst.
"Well, you know, it's rather passe, don't you think?" Michael replied. "Besides, how many people do you actually know who ever joined the Scouts?"
"You mean aside from Malcolm and myself?" Archer asked, his eyes narrowed.
"Well...um..." Michael stammered.
Archer ignored him and resumed his task. "Let's go, Malcolm."
With a nod, Malcolm placed one foot upon rubble. "Be careful, sir. This pile looks fairly unsteady."
"I will. I'm right behind you."
When they got to the top, they pushed themselves forward and with the light of the flashlight peered through the small opening. There on the other side of the cave-in they spotted four Viteni scientists. They were dressed much like the ones they had already seen, with the exception of some type of blue hard hat they each wore. A couple of the aliens looked bloodied -- that was if their blood was lavender in color.
"Hoshi," Archer called down, "can you have our guide tell them we are trying to help them and we'll try and get them out as soon as possible.
"Yes, sir." Hoshi spoke to the alien and conveyed the message. Immediately the Viteni spoke into a handheld device to the trapped scientists. When he was finished, he spoke again to her. Hoshi listened intently.
"Pop-chu says they are complaining of the cold, and could we get them some blankets."
Fred, hearing Hoshi's words, was already rooting in his pack and brought out a couple of silver survival blankets. Cindy did the same and passed hers to Fred. Quickly he tossed them up one at a time to the Captain.
"Thanks, " Archer called out as he in turn passed them to Malcolm who flung them towards the scientists. "And Hoshi -- 'Pop-chu'?"
"It's the closest I can come in English to his own name. It's better than just calling him 'the alien' all the time."
Archer grinned. "Of course."
"All set, Captain," Malcolm said.
"Good. Let's find a way to get them out of there."
End Chapter 16