"We will be before we go outside, Mother," Jak assured her, then turned to Jon. "Where are you going to land?"
"Soon as I find a good spot. Keep your eyes peeled for a large clearing."
But they had gone only a few more miles when Jak yelled, "There, Jon! Off to the left a mile or so."
At his first words Jon had increased the negative acceleration. His darting eyes spotted the clearing, and he put the ship into a circle and elevated the nose so they climbed to a height of some twenty miles.
"Grab that astrogation book and get ready to read me the checks, Owl. Mom, you strap in. Is Pop all right?"
Mrs. Carver assured him that on her recent trip to her husband's bunk she had seen to it that he was safely fastened down, in anticipation of their landing.
Jak picked up the book and opened it to the book-marked page. He sank into the co-pilot's seat, and fastened the safety belt. "Ready when you are."
Their mother now reported, "All fast, Jon."
A moment while the younger boy glanced quickly at his various dials, then he said tensely, "Shoot."
"Check decelerometer."