Page 38 of Solar Bound
He reached the opening in seconds, passing through the narrow aperture into the blessed radiance of Earth's sun. Even filtered through the atmosphere, the solar radiation was immediate nourishment. Solar's energy signature expanded.
From this vantage point, he could see the canyon stretching before him, the red rock formations glowing in the late-afternoon sun. Milano forces were visible in the distance. The black vehicles sped along on roads, and helicopters circled overhead. But none were in the immediate vicinity of the skylight. For the moment, they remained undetected.
Solar allowed himself exactly ninety seconds of exposure. Then, reluctantly, he withdrew back into the cave, his energy coalescing once more into humanoid form as he descended to where Rowan waited.
"Better?" she asked, noting his brighter, more stable appearance.
"Functional," he confirmed. "But we must find an exit large enough for both of us."
They began exploring the chamber's perimeter, looking for passages that might lead outward rather than deeper into the system. The sound of water grew louder as they approached the far side of the space.
"There," Rowan pointed to where a stream emerged from one wall and disappeared through another. "Water always finds a way out."
They followed the stream, which flowed through a passage just large enough for them to walk single file. Solar led the way, his restored glow providing illumination. The tunnel wound downward for several minutes before gradually beginning to rise again.
"Good sign," Rowan commented. "If it's rising, it might lead to the surface."
Solar remained alert for signs of Milano. His enhanced senses detected no immediate threats, but that could change at any moment. And behind every thought of escape lurked a more personal concern.
Where was Dani?
He had last seen her leaving the Desert Suite with Rowan. Had she gone back there after they fled? Was she captured? Was she searching for him even now?
The tunnel curved sharply, then opened onto a ledge overlooking another chamber. Below them, the stream plunged into a pool before continuing its journey. The drop was significant, at least ten meters to the water below.
"End of the line," Rowan sighed.
Solar assessed the situation. "The water may lead to an exit."
"That looks deeper into the system," Rowan countered. "And that drop could break bones if we hit wrong. We should backtrack."
Before Solar could respond, he sensed a shift in the darkness.
"We need to keep moving," Rowan urged, her human eyes seeming to be nearly blind in the darkness. She had been relying on Solar's faint glow to navigate the treacherous terrain.
"Agreed." Solar helped her up a particularly steep incline, careful to moderate his temperature. Humans were so fragile, their skin burning at temperatures his people considered comfortable. Not Dani, though. She liked his fire.
They continued in relative silence, Solar scanning constantly for signs of pursuit. Milano's operatives had proven more resourceful than anticipated, their technology approaching Zorveyan capabilities.
"What exactly are these weapons Milano possesses?" Solar asked. The question had been burning in his mind since the attack. The energy dampeners, in particular, suggested an advanced understanding of extraterrestrial physiology.
Rowan's breathing was labored as she climbed. "I don’t know. I've ever seen them before.”
They emerged into another chamber where the ceiling rose high above them, disappearing into darkness. All of these caves looked the same. Shafts of sunlight penetrated through cracks in the rock, creating spotlights on the cave floor. Solar automatically walked to stand within the light and soaked in what energy he could.
"We're getting closer to the surface," Rowan said.
Before he could answer, Solar felt the darkness shift. He immediately dimmed his light, but it was too late. They'd been spotted.
"Don't move," a familiar voice commanded as Lunar's figure materialized, literally flowing out of the shadows like liquid night.
"Lunar," Solar identified, his tone a mixture of relief and irritation.
Lunar grabbed Rowan by the arm and pulled her away from a deep hole in the cave floor.
Where have you been while we fought for our lives?" Solar asked.
"Observing and preparing an escape route," Lunar replied coolly. He turned his gaze toward Rowan. "Where is Eclipse?"
