Chapter 42

Like a pearl diver surfacing from the depths, Blake came toward consciousness. At least, he thought he did - it was difficult to tell, as there was no light to see by. The throbbing on the back of his head was something, at least, that let him know he was alive.

Methodically, he patted himself down, checking for massive blood flow, broken bones, or exceptionally painful areas. Realizing he was, for the moment, in one piece, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Blake Blakesly...you are well?"

"Humbot? Is that you?"

"It is."

"Are you okay?"

"My leg appears to be trapped under a large rock, but other than that, yes, I seem to be functioning."

"Can you shine your lights?"

"Absolutely."

The air around Blake got perceptibly lighter, and seemed to originate to his left. Feeling his way blindly across the stones, he eventually reached Humbot. True to his word, the android was sprawled on the ground, right leg pinned beneath a boulder.

"Hello, Blake."

"Let's get that rock off of you."