Page 44 of Alien Healer's Touch

"At least we're out of the acid rain," Selene observed, wringing water from her hair.

I nodded, scanning for dangers. "Underground rivers usually lead to larger cavern systems. If we follow this one, we should find an exit eventually."

I helped her to her feet, noting how she favored her injured ankle. The markings along her arms glowed faintly in the dim light, creating strange patterns across the water's surface.

"The medicine," she gasped suddenly, reaching for her pack. "Please tell me it survived."

Together we inspected the crystalline containers from the facility. I felt profound relief when we discovered they remained intact - the specialized vessels designed to withstand far more than our rough landing.

"They're undamaged," I confirmed. "These containers were made to endure extreme conditions."

Selene sighed with relief. "We still need to get them to Hammond's camp somehow."

As I was about to respond, distant voices echoed through the chamber. Human voices. We exchanged a glance of surprise before I extinguished our light source with a quick movement.

"Stay behind me," I whispered, moving toward an alcove where we could observe without being seen.

The voices grew louder, accompanied by artificial light that cast long shadows through the tunnel ahead. From our hidden position, we watched as a small group of humans approached, splashing through the shallow water. They carried weapons and supplies, clearly a well-equipped expedition rather than lost survivors.

"We've searched this tributary twice already," one complained. "There's nothing here."

"Commander's orders," replied a second voice I recognized - Phillips, Hammond's reluctant messenger. "Grid search pattern. We keep looking until we find Dr. Carter or confirm she's dead."

"This storm's going to last days," a third voice grumbled. "Hammond's obsession with finding her is going to get us all killed."

"The marked woman in the lab is getting worse," Phillips said. "Hammond thinks Carter might have found something in the ruins that could help."

My body tensed at this revelation. They were searching for Selene specifically, and something about a marked woman - likely Claire - deteriorating under Hammond's experiments.

Selene touched my arm, her finger to her lips as the search party drew closer. They were five in total - Phillips and four security personnel, all armed with energy weapons salvaged from the crash.

The lead figure stopped suddenly, raising his hand. "Wait. There's something..."

He pointed his light directly at the water where we'd landed minutes earlier. Disturbed silt still clouded the area, a clear sign of our recent arrival.

"Someone's been here recently," he announced, signaling his team to spread out. "Check those alcoves."

I exchanged a glance with Selene. We were cornered with no obvious escape route. Fighting would be dangerous in these confined quarters, especially with energy weapons involved. The bond between us pulsed with shared concern and rapidly forming contingency plans.

As the searchers approached our hiding place, Selene made a decision. She stepped forward into the light before I could stop her.

"Phillips," she called, hands raised. "It's Dr. Carter."

The search party swung their weapons toward her voice, lights blinding in the darkness.

"Dr. Carter!" Phillips lowered his weapon immediately, relief evident in his voice. "We've been searching for days. Commander Hammond--"

"Is worried about Claire," Selene finished for him. "I heard you talking. What's happening?"

The security team maintained their defensive posture as Phillips approached. "The marked woman you were treating... her condition is deteriorating. Hammond's been experimenting with some artifacts he found, trying to suppress the markings, but it's making her worse."

I remained hidden, watching carefully. If they discovered me, the situation would escalate instantly from rescue to confrontation.

"I have medicine that can help," Selene said, indicating her pack. "For both the Luraxi Fever and possibly for Claire. You need to take it back immediately."

"You found a cure?" Phillips looked hopeful for the first time. "What about you? Hammond wants you back at the camp."

"I can't return," she replied firmly. "Not yet. There's more I need to discover about these markings before I can help Claire properly."

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