But the shining projectile veered off, turned completely around, took up position several miles away, and began to fall with them.
His first thought was: "They'll never let us land," and he experienced an intense disappointment.
Another signal brrred from the control board.
"They're probing us," said Tellier, tensely.
An instant after the words were uttered, the lifeboat seemed to shudder and to stiffen under them. It was the unmistakable feel of a tractor beam. Its field clutched the lifeboat, drew it, held it.
The science of the Alta III inhabitants was already proving itself formidable.
Underneath him the lifeboat continued its movement.
The entire crew gathered around and watched as the point of brightness resolved into an object, which rapidly grew larger. It loomed up close, bigger than they.
There was a metallic bump. The lifeboat shuddered from stem to stern.