Albrekt felt his iron nerve cracking. He felt that he was breaking apart physically.
"Keep your distance, all of you!" he croaked, drawing the gun. "They'll be back. They'll search all space for us!"
Carrel floated a little closer and Albrekt levelled the gun at him. Migl and Qoqol moved in slightly. Albrekt swung the gun in an arc.
"I'll blast all three of you," he warned desperately. "Carrel...."
"Why?" asked Carrel. "We're all in the same boat, Albrekt. We're spiralling into Jupiter."
"You lie!" shouted Albrekt. "I don't believe you, Carrel!"
Carrel laughed shortly.
"Where's your nerve, Albrekt?" he asked. "You've done pretty well up to now. Does the immediate prospect of dying frighten you so much?"
Albrekt lowered the gun slightly.
"If I were afraid to die I wouldn't be here," he replied. "You're not baiting me for nothing, Carrel. What are you after?"