Chapter Fifty-Seven
The moment North regained his sense he knew something was very, very
wrong. The feel of the ship was just not right. Years of practice told
him the star drive engines
weren't functioning, and from the feel, only one of the two of the
system engines were operating.
2 His own severe pain and the moans and groans around him gave him some
idea of the condition of his crew. Beside him he could hear the control
arm of his navigational equipment clicking very softly as it was
delicately moved. He reached out and his hand closed over the metal one
operating the controls. "What are you doing, I.S.?" he asked.
3 "We are spinning about three revolutions per minute," the droid
answered, "and we're tumbling bow over stern. I have corrected that,
though. In a moment I will neutralize the spin.
4 North took his hand away. The droid was well programmed to handle
such a problem. "All stations," he ordered, "report!"
5 "Helm, sir. My panel is dead. It will take major repairs. I think my
leg is broken. It came out of the restraints and hit the edge of the
console."
6 "Navigation. I'm dead, too, sir. Nothing's functional. Permission to
assist Helm."
7 "Permission granted," agreed North.
8 "Firing Control. I don't know how, but some of my instruments are
working. Give me a few minutes and I think I can get some idea where we
are."
9 North waited a moment then inquired, "Communications, why haven't you
reported?"
10 "Communications is nonfunctional," I.S. announced, "both console,
and, operator. I believe the damage to the operator is permanent."
11 "Have you got that spin off us yet?" North asked.