by
It was hours after the cave-in before the first sounds of rescue reached Sam. He switched his brain back to high amperage drain to come fully alert and began sending more current through his body heaters to prepare for emergence. From the nearness of the digging, there could be only a few feet of rubble left in the collapsed tunnel.
Fifteen minutes later, he felt a pick strike near his outstretched hand. He grabbed it and pulled himself out of the dirt and gravel around him, then scrambled quickly forward to the entrance. Surprisingly, it was a human hand that reached out to help him to his feet.
“You okay, Sam?” Barney Collins asked. The wizened old prospector’s face and oxygen mask were filthy with sweat and dust, but concern showed plainly in his eyes.
Sam nodded. “I’m fine, Barn
