T'an pulled a slide rule from his tunic pocket, but his black almond eyes rested quizzically on Jonner.
"It's four hours before blastoff," he reminded.
"I've cleared power for this with Space Control," replied Jonner. "That planet-loving G-boat jockey missed orbit. We'll have to swing out a little and go to him."
On a conventional space craft, the order for acceleration would have sent the engineer to the engine deck to watch his gauges and report by intercom. But the Radiant Hope's "engine deck" was the atomic tug two miles ahead, which T'an, in heavy armor, would enter only in emergencies. He calculated for a moment, then called softly to Jonner:
"Pile One, in ten."
"In ten," confirmed Jonner, pulling a lever on the calibrated gauge of the radio control.
"Pile Two, in fifteen."
"In fifteen."
"Check. I'll have the length of burst figured for you in a jiffy."
A faint glow appeared around the atomic tug far ahead, and there was the faintest shiver in the ship. But after a moment, Qoqol said in a puzzled tone: