First, he'd get a light-rod....
Pivoting, he strode back along the carrier guides to the hatch ... started to step through.
From the other side came the hiss of a quick-drawn breath.
Boone froze. "Eileen...."
A tremulous laugh. "Fred, I came back. I—I was afraid."
"Oh." He made it curt. "I'm going out as soon as I can find a light."
"I've got one." A beam blazed in the black, half-blinding him. "You're going—out—?"
"Yes. Down onto the ground. I want a closer look at some of those flowers."
It was a belligerent statement, geared for more trouble. But Eileen's tone stayed almost humble: "Can I come with you?"
"If you want to." Boone took the light-rod and, with no further words, led the way down to the sphere-ship's lowest level and out through another carrier-cradle.