190 "Yes, sir!" the Officer answered. "It's just
within safety margins."
191 "What I'm hoping for," explained North, "is when the first mine
goes off, that thing hunting us will go to check out the explosion and
the second mine will delay it a little longer. It will give us a chance
to stretch our crush line, but you can bet it will be on our tubes
before we get very far! And that's what I want. When we're out a safe
distance, I plan to fire our bottom maneuvering jets and at the same
time apply full reverse thrust. Let that thing pass under, fire the top
maneuvering jets, drop on its tail, and give it everything we've got, a
full pattern from all three tubes, wide angle.
192 We'll only get one chance. We've got to hit it the first time. Now,
gentlemen, I have to know from you if it will work. Can the SHIP
survive it, can the INJURED survive it?"
193 The Helmsman was the first to speak. "I'll have to run it through
the computer," he explained, "the thrusters should work, but according
to regulations, they're only supposed to be used for slow speed docking
maneuvers, not for battle. But I'll work it out."
194 "We won't worry about regulations," continued North, "if it works
I'll explain to command. If it doesn't ..." He didn't have to finish
the sentence. Everyone there understood.
195 "It will just about tear that poor engine apart," warned the
Engineer. "The sudden reverse of thrust at high speed is hard on them.
But she'll make it!"
196 "I can put the injured in suspension," explained the Doctor,
"that'll protect them against anything except the ship being vaporized.
I'd like to put YOU in there, too, but that's out of the question!"
197 "That most certainly IS, Doctor!" North replied. "Firing Control,
just as we lift and apply reverse thrust I want to drop a four mine
pattern."