... belled out. I like the sound of that bell, it is relaxing. It's a good signal and I'm glad it happens that way. I stand up from the control chair and stretch. I have the strong notion something very pleasant has happened.
How do you feel? Do you feel strange?
No, I feel fine. Everything is fine. I check the instruments, and they show that a Skip has been completed. That's good. I don't—I don't—somehow I can't remember why I wanted to ...
His voice broke off, puzzled. Colin waited, and in a minute Harkins began to speak again.
... hear the sound of the Skipdrive. It comforts me. Funny, I don't remember ever hearing it before ...
Go back before. Go back. You hear the one minute bell. You can hear the one minute bell and you are ready to make your Skip. You are getting ready to make your Skip.
Harkins snapped upright again and repeated his actions. He shouted and screamed, his body was forced into the foetal position jerkily....
OH GOD THE STARS THE STARS THE STARS
Whimpering.
Go forward. You are returning to normal space....