Free 3531 by John Black Page A

starting to set in. She followed him back down the tunnel.
                  Opening the backpack, he packed away everything that would aid them on their journey. His mother was right, travel south, always south. He patted his side, feeling the .45 in its holster.
                  Rachel found a tote bag and filled it with the shampoo and soap containers. She then packed away the chips from the VR machine.
                  Working their way back to the entrance he gazed out the tiny slots that provided some visibility. Tracks in the dirt revealed that the scouts had returned to their vehicle. They were now on the far side of the transportation for it provided some shade from the merciless sun. One was now on his back laying partly under the transport obviously still working on it.
                  Looking to the south, about four hundred yards or so away was the sight of rocky ridges and hills. He looked at Rachel, and noticed the fear in her eyes and face. “We have a chance if we reach those rocks.”
                  She shook her head no, total fear and panic was setting in. “This place is safe.”
                  “Don't you see, they have managed to track us, by shear luck their transportation broke down! They might even be waiting on help.”
                  She took a deep breath and nodded her head, the need to survival was growing inside her again.
                  “I will ease the door open and we will quietly made our way. If they hear or see us then take off running, ok?”
                  She only nodded her head. She felt her adrenaline rise.
                  Carefully he opened the door and once out he eased it back closed so the wind would not slam it shut.
                  Its amazing how a few moments in time can seem like an eternity. He looked back several times, so far so good, he carefully watched his footing.
                  Rachel fought back the urge to simply run. The fear of capture was heighten, to the point she was trembling, her legs felt rubbery. Full of panic how much more could she take.
                  Fifty yards they had traveled when a whistle blew, with no need to urge them on, they took off running.
                  “Stop, Halt!” came a voice on a loud speaker.
                  “Faster!” Donovan encouraged her. He only took a quick look and saw five soldiers chasing them. Each was armed with weapons.
                  A faint laser was fired striking the ground to their right, violently throwing rock and dirt about. A second laser struck the ground between them causing them to lose their balance falling to the ground.
                  Donovan quickly rose up, he took a quick glance, at the pursuing soldiers. They were about seventy five yards away. Helping Rachel up, they once again ran for the shelter the rocks would provide. They were still a good two hundred yards away.
                  Donovan then took a hit shoulder, spinning him around crashing into the ground. Rachel stopped to help him.
                  “No keep going!” he urged her.
                  “They will kill you.” She watched him pull out his .45 pistol.
                  “Go,” his voice compelling.
                  With no farther argument, she took off running. She was sicken from seeing wisp of smoke rising from his shoulder.
                  Donovan used the pack for extra protection from more laser blast. He watched the five soldiers fan out in a half moon formation. They closed to within forty yards or so. One raised up to fire, due to the flaw of the shoulder fired weapon. Donovan took careful aim and shot him in the chest. The man slumped back.
                  “Give up, there are reinforcements on the way,” one of the