his right hand came up to hold the vomit bag as
North emptied his stomach. He could hear someone else being sick, too.
When he was done being sick, North sealed the bag.
48 His left hand went back to the emergency compartment for a pressure
bandage while his eyes began to scan his instruments; their tiny lights
coming on automatically when they sensed the darkness. The ship was
making way and appeared to be on course. North had the bandage out, and
was pressing it to his nose. It did little good. The blood quickly soaked through it, and continued to drip.
49 A weak voice asked, "Command, you all right?"
50 "I'm functioning," North managed to reply. "All stations report.
What happened?"
51 All stations reported in order of their importance. "Helm, sir. I'm
pretty sick, but my panel is functioning. We're o.k."
52 "Navigation, sir. Some of my rear sensors are out, but I'm
functional. I seem to be pretty good, but I could use a pain shot right
now. We came out of leap by a body of considerable mass. It was close,
sir, damned close! It wasn't an ice field, some uncharted body."
53 "Firing Control, sir. My panel's out. Something's wrong with my leg,
but I'm o.k. otherwise. You're bleeding awful, sir!"
54 "I know," North answered, "I know. Communications?"
55 "I'm fully functional sir. Both internal and external
communications. I don't feel very good, but I can hold my station."
56 "Good man! " snapped North. "Call all sections! Ask for damage
reports. "
57 North felt a hand take the bandage away from his nose and replace it
with another one. He looked up to see his Firing Control Officer
sitting on the arm of his chair. "You're out of place, mister! " he
snapped.