Chapter Nine – A Hard Landing
CARRIE LEAPT FROM THE tunnel and skittered down the loose rocks to where Dave lay among the discarded machines on the mountain slope. He had landed next to the remnants of a machine that appeared to have been torn to pieces. Its tools and other debris were scattered widely, and several pieces of metal peeked out from beneath Dave. Carrie’s approach also sent a shower a small stones tumbling down and over him. As she slid to a stop next to him, he opened an eye.
“Thank goodness,” exclaimed Carrie. “Are you okay? Have you broken anything?”
Dave winced as he gingerly moved his legs and arms and rotated his ankle and wrists. He wiggled his fingers. “I don’t think so.” He tried to sit up. “Ow.” He grimaced and eased himself into a sitting position, pulling somet
