Spirit Lad Page 148

on Dr. Horton's pets. In a short time he startled everyone by yelling, "Dr.
Horton! Come here, quick! Something's wrong!"
As the doctor rushed over with Jeanie, Cooper and Mike in tow, the man explained,
"See what I mean? They're acting crazy! They were fine for a minute, then they started acting crazy! I think they're sick, or something."
As they all peered into the cage they saw the guinea pigs appeared agitated, running around and leaping over one another.
"They're not sick!" Horton said with a smile, "They're playing! I believe they liked their little trip! This is the happiest I've seen them in ages!"
There was laughter all around. Then, Mike asked, "But Doc, you've tested your machine on these two things, but how do you know for sure it'll work on humans, that they'll be o.k.?"
Dr. Cooper opened his mouth to reply, but before he could Mike continued, "Why don't you use me as your first human subject? I've got the suit on under my clothes. If anything does happen, I'm sure I wouldn't be hurt THAT badly. I want to volunteer for the job!"
"I think all this hero business has gone to his head!" Jeanie said, "But I think he's right. He'll be o.k.."
"But son, you've done this once....no, you've been through too much all ready! I couldn't bare to see you hurt again! NO, I won't be responsible! Absolutely not! No!"
"I hate to tell you, but I think it's the only way to really find out if the Transporter works!" Dr. Horton put in.
"Well....I suppose....if I have your o.k. on this, and Jeanie agrees, you can do it, son. But BE CAREFUL!" Cooper finally consented. With a pensive look he readied the machine to go the third time.

Mike grinned, turned and went up the steps to the platform, advancing to the tube where the guinea pigs had been. He slid open its glass door, stepped inside, and let the door slide freely shut behind him. Then he turned to face the tense Dr. Cooper, and forced himself to relax. It WAS kind of scary in there. The flashbacks of what he remembered from his accident were beginning to get to him as they raced through his mind, and he wished someone would hurry and hit the switch. Jeanie was staring tearfully at him, as if this would be her last sight of him. Larry was still at the receiving controls, but Mike knew telepathically that he felt as terrified as everyone else in the room. "Ready!" Cooper yelled, then turned on the juice. Mike felt a tingle, braced himself for the worst, then faded from view. Everything was working normally so far, as the lights overhead blinked. It was like Mike was in the darkness of starless space. For a moment