The Tube

            “Just ruins, no space ships. Good morning, by the way,” she said.

            “Good morning.” Jonathan leaned close and kissed her quickly, then again taking a little longer while she returned his affection. “Look, a cave, over there.”

            They headed up the hill another 100 meters; Archer insisted Riaan stay outside while he examined the cavern for animals, bugs, mud, fresh air. The cave extended quite far, and it was cold, dank, and dark before it opened up again. It wasn’t a cave but a lava tube that ran half a kilometer away from the orange glow of daybreak.

            “Okay, come on in,” Jonathan said. He jogged out of the tunnel, took her hand and jogged back in. “This will work until Endeavour finds us. I don’t think the Orions will find us before then.” He took the communicator out of his pocket and flipped it open; it chirped. “Archer to Endeavour.”

            “Admiral, what’s your status?”

            “Hey, Pete. Can you transport us out of here? There’s a handful of Orions running around, Harrad-Sar is stunned about a kilometer from here and he’s going to be an unhappy bastard when he wakes up. We don’t want to be here when that happens.”

            “Jamison’s working on the transporter. We lost a communicator before that one arrived for you. I can send a shuttle.”

            “Don’t risk it. Send a shuttle. Damn transporters.”

            “We’re on our way,” the captain assured him. Archer tucked the communicator into a pocket. Jonathan and Riaan sat down together on a large fallen tree near the mouth of the tube.

            “Keep your eyes open for those green terrorists.” Jonathan put his arm around Riaan and snugged her up a little closer. “Those guys have been wrecking my life for the last 12 years. This time they’re going to bear the brunt, not me.” He took the phasor from Riaan and shoved it in the waistband of his pants, for lack of a better place. He looked across the horizon for signs of Orions, but so far so good.

            “So what happens now?” Riaan asked.

            “Earth.”

            “I’m glad. I’ve been wanting to put my feet on the ground for a while.”

            “As do I. I’ve gotten rather used to working behind a desk, and this much adventure is enough to last me awhile.”

            “I don’t get the feeling that you’re a ‘stay on the ground’ kind of man, Jon.”

            “I’ve had enough adventure in the last 10 years to last a lifetime. More than anyone else I know, actually, except maybe for the Romulan War veterans.” Jonathan’s thoughts jumped back five years. The rescue of the Kobayashi Maru brought a stray thought of Erika to his mind. Riaan reminded him a little of Erika, her strength, intelligence, and her eyes. But Riaan’s eyes bonded him to her like no other. Not Margaret, Caroline, Erika, nor Danica.

            Orions. For God’s sake he hoped there were no Orion women with Harrad-Sar’s little party. That would be a bad situation. He stood up and surveyed the landscape again.

            “Jon, are you alright?”

            “I’m fine,” he said, looking down at her. It was Riaan. He took a deep breath.

            “You look worried; do you see them?”

            “Um…no, but that doesn’t mean a lot. Let’s get inside. It will be a few more minutes before the shuttle arrives.”

            “This is an interesting formation. It’s not really a cave, is it?”

            “No, it’s actually a lava tube from an old volcano. A lot of iron on this planet, like Earth. Earth has some of these, where the tectonic activity hasn’t covered up the old volcanic flows.”

            “Is Earth still geologically active?”

            “Very much so. Especially at Starfleet Headquarters, where I live.”

            “Why would anyone live there?”

            “It’s an old city, much of it built without understanding the geology. But, I think you’ll see why when we get there. If we ever get there. Where is that shuttle?”

            “I found them,” shouted a voice from outside.

            “Damn! Come on!” Archer uttered to Riaan. He grabbed her hand and headed for the back of the tunnel.

            “Stop!” yelled an Orion. They instinctively ducked the phasor fire that hit just beyond their path in a splatter of sparks and flames. The explosion lit the tunnel beyond its darkest corner.

            “Stop,” Jonathan said to Riaan, gripping her hand so she couldn’t take another step. “I have an idea. Wait.” He tucked the phasor in his rear waistband, then he led them forward a few steps towards the Orion. The giant stumbled to a stop, pointing his weapon.