Willard opened his mouth to speak, but Robert continued with a louder voice. "However, at the first, and I mean first, sign of danger, I will turn tail and retreat to the sphere. If that happens, both of you will turn and follow me, no questions asked. Can we agree on this?"

Connelly nodded. She knew that she was being over eager and that Willard was being over cautious. Robert would keep them on an even keel and had no compunction over fleeing a dangerous situation. Following his lead was the best way to satiate their curiosity without getting killed in the process.

Willard stood to the side and motioned Robert to take the lead position. "By all means, after you."

Robert took an apprehensive step forward, then paused. He reached back with an open palm. Connelly's face filled with warmth as embarrassment rushed blood to her cheeks. She couldn't believe Robert was openly expressing the desire to take her hand in front of Willard. She felt foolish and slightly disappointed when Willard handed Robert the ice pick.

"Thanks," Robert said and then set off into the tunnel.

Willard followed and Connelly brought up the rear. They moved deeper into the cave system, past several different shades of stone, all streaked with ribbons of red. Connelly noted that the entire trip took them on a slight, almost indiscernible, downward slope.  They were delving deep into the stone core of Europa.

Robert paused. He waved a hand back at them. "Turn off your lights." Before she could respond, Robert reached up and switched off her belt and head lamp. Willard complied as well and the cave was plunged into a momentary darkness.

Connelly's eyes quickly adjusted and she realized she could still clearly make out Willard and Robert. The cave was aglow with vibrant, ruby red light from around a bend in the tunnel. Their bright lights made seeing in the dark caves a simple task, but they also drowned out any other light sources. She wondered how far back they could have seen this light if they had had their lamps extinguished.

Robert, true to his word, sensed no danger and continued forward. Connelly felt as though they were about to exit a cave and enter a burning forest. The light flickered and moved across the wall. She couldn't imagine what the source was. When they rounded the tunnel bend and stopped at the exit, Connelly felt her chest-gripping apprehension return. She wasn't sure if what she was seeing was a dream come true or some kind of sick nightmare.

Willard leaned over to Robert without taking his eyes off the intimidating view. "Robert…" His voice was barely a whisper.

Robert's reply was a simple grunt. He wasn't diverting his view either and was too distracted to structure a sentence.

Willard leaned closer and spoke louder. "Robert…why aren't you running?"

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