They needed no further explanation. As I said, we had been expecting the fleet’s arrival. I joined them as they quietly gathered their personal gear and began their climb to the flyers.
Before entering my flyer, I paused to scan the cavern a final time. The last of the warm-bloods had long since been released and the pens dismantled. There was no trace remaining of our garrison.
I suddenly realized the others were already sealed in their flyers and waiting for me.
“Open fire!” I beamed to them and entered my flyer.
Four hot-beams darted out simultaneously, and before their assault the wall of the cavern began to melt away. By the time I had sealed my flyer an opening had appeared, and sunlight began to stream into the cavern again. I added my weapon to the group effort. I deliberately allowed the firing to continue overlong, burning an exceptionally large opening. It had been a long time since any of us had flown, and it was doubtful we were up to precision maneuvers.
“Cease fire!”
We sat motionless for several long moments waiting for the rock to cool and until we were sure that any rockslides caused by our burning had run their course.
“One at a time…Wait until the flyer ahead of you has cleared the entrance before following!”
With that, I set the foot disc and trod down on it to start the engine. As I felt it begin to convert its power, I rocked my body forward in the flyer. It slid off the edge of the ledge and plunged toward the floor of the cavern. Immediately I began working the controls, and the wings spread, catching the air and changing my fall into a swooping climb. A few adjustments, and I was out in the sunlight.