Shadows again, and another pause for breath. Sirens blasting. The rumble of more carriers.
In spite of his tension, Boone smiled thinly. Swinging round, he moved warily on towards the station entrance.
The two men on duty stood in the doorway, peering out across the ramp.
Back flat to the wall, Boone silently edged towards them ... closer ... closer....
One said, "What's that—?" and started to turn.
Boone leaped forward, triggering a beam from the nerve-gun.
The two duty men went down as one. Dragging them inside, Boone kicked the door shut, then turned to the lock control equipment. In seconds, he had levered out the gear that prevented the outer locks from opening till the inner were closed and sealed.
Crossing to the emergency control bank, then, he threw the first switch.
Heavy-duty motors spun to droning life. A red light flashed on the board.
Ten seconds later the red light clicked off. A green light blazed in its stead, and the motors cut off.