Meek shook his head. That would be something to puzzle over later, something to roll around in his brain on some monotonous flight into the maw of space.
Space! Startled at the thought clanging on his brain he jerked a quick glance upward, saw the bleak stars staring at him. Eyes that seemed to be laughing at him, cruel, ironic laughter.
"Stiffy," he whispered. "Stiffy, I just thought of something."
"Yeah, what is it?"
Stark terror walked in Meek's words. "My oxygen tank is better than half gone. And the ship is wrecked...."
"Cripes," said Stiffy, "I guess we just forgot. We sure are behind the eight ball. Somehow we got to get back to Asteroid City. And we got to get there quick."
Meek's eyes brightened. "Stiffy, maybe.... Maybe we could ride the Prowler."
Stiffy backed away. But Meek reached out and grasped his arm. "Come on. It's the only way, Stiffy. We have to get there and the Prowler can take us."
"But ... but ... but...." Stiffy stammered.
"Give me a leg up," Meek ordered.