cut and were ready to move. They were loading in
moments. Bright Moon and one of his fallen Officers had positioned
everyone for a quick departure, not wanting to trust the magnetic seal
any longer than necessary. When they were all inside, Thundering Star
backed off, shut down the emergency system, and told them to release
the seal, after he had secured himself to a support beam.
28 The sudden rush of air pushed the air lock some distance, but North
quickly recovered and began maneuvering it back towards the scout's
airlock. Thundering Star soon joined him, and in a few minutes the air
lock was again empty and ready to start off again. "Six down," said
North, "two to go. Let's hope it goes so well this time!"
29 The service compartment proved to be more of a problem than the
other section. They had to cut debris out of the way, and the area of
contact was very small. The cables to their power supply were in the
way so they had to shut it down before they started cutting. This meant
they had very little time, once they started cutting. But they were
finally done.
30 Two very cold men were shoved into the air lock, it was sealed and
brought up to temperature. They separated again and made for the
scout's air lock. Finally, the last two were safe!
31 "You go in, Thundering Star," North ordered after they had tethered
the air lock to the hull. "I've got to go take some pictures. I'll be
right behind you."
32 "They're going to have fits, sir," the man argued, "if I leave you
out here alone."
33 "I'll be alright," North insisted, "you've already been out seven
hours, that's enough. I'll only be a few minutes."
34 When North finally did come in, Thundering River ordered him out of
the suit. For three blissful hours North slept, but he left orders that
he was to be