"It worked. I'm okay," I said in giddy relief.
"I don't have to tell you I was scared as hell. I wish you could have seen your face, the look in your eyes when I woke up."
"I wouldn't want to wake up like that again."
"You're all right now?" he asked. I grinned and nodded an answer. I saw John as he was at the base, big and competent, sweating in the blazing sun.
I thought about the rest of the crew too. "We're heading right for a star...."
"It's been dead ahead for hours," he grunted. I leaned over and threw the intercom to open. "This is control. Listen ... everyone. I'm over it. Disregard the warning siren ... we were testing the ship."
The lab light blinked on as Paul cut in. "What was it ... hey, you said you're all right."
"John did it. He hit the alarm figuring I would react. Listen, Paul. Is any one hurt?"
"No. Carl is here too. His stomach flopped again but he's okay. What about food. We're supposed to be checked before we eat."
"We'll have to go ahead without it. Any change?"