The Sand Vulture wheeled and made a few low exploratory swoops toward them as they waited for Jocco. Leeda automatically checked her clothing to be sure she was completely covered. If that barbed tail touched the skin, death came—slow, agonizing, sure.
Jocco came back. "Emptier than interstellar space."
Holstering his gun, Rick started off saying, "Let's go. And no funny stuff."
Leeda smiled ironically and remained where she was. "It's not that easy. The cave is four walking days away."
Startled, Fatso groaned. "Where's your sand-mobile?"
"Broken down at the diggings. We came back to get parts."
Fatso and Jocco cussed loudly. Rick quieted them. "Get the parts," he told Leeda.
"You bring any water?" she asked.
"You haven't any?" Fatso's voice rose shrilly.
Leeda reached to her waist and the small attached flask. "Just this. And Terry has—had—one just like it. Enough for a couple old-timers like us. Not near enough for everyone now. Particularly with you being new to Mars."