Kraag stopped. The effective range of the heat-gun was no more than 100 feet. If he tried to get close enough to Jonner to use it, Jonner could circle and get to the personnel sphere.
There were the oxygen tanks, the big ones used for fuel. If Kraag could get to them and burn them open, Jonner couldn't last long outside. But they were scattered pretty far from the personnel sphere. Jonner would get to the sphere for sure if he tried that.
"Okay, Jonner, I know when I'm licked," said Kraag. "Come on in."
"I'm not too far away to see the gun, Kraag."
"I'll take it back to the sphere and leave it."
"Why not just toss it away?"
"And have you beat me to it and get the drop on me? We'll leave the guns in the sphere and I'll meet you on even terms."
"I'll believe it when I see it."
Kraag went back to the sphere. He couldn't stand in shadow without looking suspicious, but he took the heat-gun from his belt ostentatiously and swung it in an arc, apparently tossing it through the open outer lock. Instead, he held onto it and hung it by the trigger guard to a belt hook at the back of his suit.
"I'm all clean, Jonner. Come on up," he invited.