Aurora by David A. Hardy

back.”
    â€œWell in that case cannot we ask him to keep an eye out for Dr. Pryor?” asked Minako. She never used first names when talking about people, though she sometimes did when talking to them.
    â€œYes, I already have,” replied Orlov.
    Even as he spoke, the Blimp hove into view, now reflecting the rays of evening sunlight which streamed across the plain and threw the canyons into purple shadow.
    Orlov spoke into his microphone. “Come in, Claude. Any luck? Over.”
    â€œSorry. I’ve been down as low as I dared, and used my floodlights, but there’s no sign of her. Afraid I can’t stay up much longer; the batteries are getting low, and the solar cells won’t be charging much now. But I have enough power for one more sweep of those tributaries to the north, in case she strayed into them, if you wish? Over.”
    â€œRoger, Claude. Do that. But don’t take any chances—and be down before sunset, right? Over and out.”
    As the airship maneuvered so that its tail elevators faced them, then drew away, Orlov snapped, “Right, I think it’s time to organize a search party. I’ve been cooped up in this place all day, so I’ll lead it. Bryan, will you take over here? The rest of you, get suited up—those of you who aren’t already—and we’ll go down into the canyon. And bring extra lights.” Then, grimly: “Oh—and, Robert, I don’t need to remind you to bring your first aid kit....”
    A few minutes later, as he lowered his helmet into place, Orlov grimaced and said to Beaumont, only half-joking: “Damn that woman! Why can’t she obey the mission standing orders—never get out of radio contact? And why can’t she stop getting herself into trouble?”
    â€œShe gets very wrapped up in what she’s doing,” said Beaumont in her defense. “But she knows her stuff. Anyway, personally I think she’ll come walking in any minute with a faulty radio.”
    â€œI know, I know. And I just hope you’re right.”
    The party picked their way severally down the talus slope to the floor of the canyon and slow-footed along it in a straggling line. They could travel much faster than Aurora had, since they were not stopping to examine and collect samples, but they didn’t go so fast that they didn’t take time to shine their flashlights into every likely crevice and offshoot.
    â€œA person could get lost here and never be found,” said Minako pessimistically.
    â€œIt must be being so cheerful that keeps you going!” came Beaumont’s voice over their radios. He was monitoring their progress.
    â€œPlease! Keep the airwaves clear in case Anne is trying to contact us—unless anything important comes up,” ordered Orlov.
    After that the party moved along in silence apart from an occasional muffled oath as someone stumbled over a rock. The gorge was almost entirely in darkness now. Phobos appeared over the western rim for the second time that day, on its endless journey towards the east. The little moon’s dim light did not help. Their figures flickered like pale wraiths as light beams glimmered from silvery suits and swept away again.
    * * * *
    Aurora was, to her own surprise, having some success. Recognizing that she could never hope to move the slab of rock that had blocked the original entrance, she was probing at the roof directly above her. This consisted of loose rocks and something like shale. Stones were raining down on her, bouncing off the visor of her helmet, but as long as none of them cracked it, she felt she might be able to break through to the surface.
    She tried not to think about the fact that she only had two hours of oxygen left. This would barely have been enough to get her back to camp even if she’d already started walking. Once again she cursed herself for an idiot, and resolved to go by the book in future.
    â€œIf only I get out of