"I know it, sir," Santos replied.
Rip thought, anyone with that much coolness and[pg 204] sheer nerve rated some kind of special treatment. And the Filipino corporal had shown his ability time and time again. He said, "I should have known you knew, Sergeant Santos. We still have a slight chance. When I give the word, use an air bottle to push you into the sunlight. When I give the word again, light off your remaining tube."
"Yessir," Santos replied. "Thank you for the promotion. I hope I live to collect the extra rating."
"Same here," Rip agreed fervently. His eyes were on his chronometer, and with his free hand he took another air bottle. When the chronometer registered exactly one minute before blast time, he called, "Now!" He triggered the bottle and moved from shadow into glaring sunlight. A slight motion of the bottle turned him so his back was to the sun, then he used the remaining compressed air to push him downward along the edge of shadow. The sun's gravity tugged at him.
He pulled the last tube from his belt and held it ready while he watched his chronometer creep around. With five seconds to go, he called to Santos and fired it. Acceleration pushed at him.
In the same moment, the nuclear charge exploded.
Chapter Sixteen - Ride the Gray Planet!
A mighty hand reached out and shoved Rip, sweeping him through space like a dust mote. He clutched his propulsion tube with both hands and fought to hold it steady.