Flip dropped down beside the hull. It was the big fellow with the scarred cheek. He jumped down, walked toward the rear of the ship where Flip was. Making a take-off inspection, Flip decided. What should he do? He could make a break across the rocks, lose himself in the mist. No—they'd track him down, get Charlie again too. Well, there was one thing to do then.
The man was silhouetted against the open door as he walked forward. In the heavy mist, he couldn't see Flip yet. Crouched on hands and toes, Flip sank lower. The muscles in his knees tensed. The man came on. Flip shot toward him, hands outstretched.
His fingers found the thick throat, squeezed with all their might as the force of his spring carried them both to the ground. Flip landed on top, kept his hold on the man's neck. The fellow brought up his hands, plucked frantically at Flip's wrists but he made only soft gurgling sounds and soon his hands fell away. Flip turned him loose. He wasn't dead; a little out of breath. Flip took his pistol from its holster. To keep him quiet a while longer, he slugged a finishing touch on his chin.
With a grin at this aesthetic work, he got to his feet. He had a gun now. But it was still two against one—he'd learned to count the woman—and they were inside. It would be risky entering the ship. Better wait till somebody else came out. They'd be out looking for this fellow soon enough. The door was still open.
Flip dragged the unconscious man under the rounded hull. Eyes on the door, he crouched down beside him to wait.
Suddenly he remembered the mud he'd stuffed in the power jet. Wow! If that thing exploded with him near it—! He leaped up, stuck the gun in his belt. He reached down to drag the man away too. As he turned, something jabbed hard in his side.
"So you haven't had enough, Earthman?" It was the other fellow, Voss. He must have come out the other side, circled around the back.
The rockets were glowing cherry red now. The power jets would ignite any moment.
"Get away!" cried Flip. "I clogged a tube! It'll explode—"