"Freighter High River, this is Imperial Scout
Hindsight, General Northern Star commanding. We're somewhere behind you
coming up on your signal. We have a general bearing. Give us the output
you're boadcasting so we can compute your exact location."
67 "Very nice to hear from you, General," a very tired voice replied. "I'm putting out 23.7% emergency power. Can't
broadcast long. Equipment damaged. Overheating."
68 "Then do not broadcast," suggested North, "only respond. If you hear
my signal we’re computing your position now. Stand by."
69 In moments Thundering River turned to North. "Got them, sir! They're
two-and-a-half hours ahead at our present speed."
70 "If we go to maximum?" asked North.
71 "An hour and three-quarters, sir," the young Officer answered.
72 "Full thrust," North ordered, and the little scout's engine was
pushed up to its maximum capability.
73 "I'm sending out a 'General call," North announced. Within minutes a
dozen ships had replied, giving their positions. The nearest was the
Fair Hauler, but she was fifty hours away.
74 "Well, gentlemen," said North, "we'd better get up our companion. It
looks like it's up to us! Prepare our main and emergency air
refreshment system to operate on maximum. We should have enough air to
maintain twenty people for fifty hours."
75 "But these systems, sir," objected Little Star, "are only designed
to sustain four to six people, maximum. Even with the emergency systems
we can't
supply life support for sixteen additionals!"
76 "Right!" agreed North, "so we'll have to plug into their systems;
supply power, oxygen, and