Seconds dragging by, melding into minutes. The cabin growing uncomfortably warm, the air stale and stuffy.
A half-hour gone. Time for another ampule.
Again and again, Boone read the legend on the carton: Mekronal is an unanalyzed catalyst derived from the skeletal structure of the non-carbon chemistry life-form Helgae found on Titan. When injected into the human bloodstream, it enables man to breathe all known atmospheres, regardless of content, without toxic effect. Dosage: One ampule every thirty minutes till three ampules have been injected. Repeat weekly until return to normal oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere. Takes effect within approximately three hours after first injection though an additional one-hour safety factor is recommended.
"Takes effect within approximately three hours after first injection...."
Three endless hours.
Or the other line—"Enables man to breathe all known atmospheres, regardless of content, without toxic effect."
Did that include carbon dioxide atmospheres like the one now forming in this cabin?
Bleakly, Boone wondered. He checked his chronox.
Time for the third injection.
Maybe it would be better to take no chances—move Eileen to a lower point, where the air was clearer.