Dowst reached up, took Rip's ankle, and pulled him down. Rip held onto his captive. Then the private bound the Connie's hands, jerked his communicator control completely off, and turned his air back on. Since Rip had been unable to collapse the suit, the Connie was comfortable enough. The reason for collapsing the suit was to deprive the enemy of air instantly, so that he could be tied up while helpless from lack of oxygen. There was enough air in the suit to last for a few minutes.
The Connie on the ground was neatly trussed. Rip's prisoner joined him. Dowst switched off his belt light. "Now what, sir?"
Dominico was standing patiently near by. He said nothing. Rip knew that no more could be done for[pg 128] the Italian at present. "Go back to the cave, Dominico," he ordered.
"I can stay with you, sir."
"No, Dominico. Thanks for the offer, but we'll get along. Go back to the cave."
"Yessir."
Rip was a little worried. He had heard nothing from Koa since that first exchange. He told Dowst as much. Koa himself heard and answered.
"Lieutenant, we're all right. Got two Connies, and I don't think they had a chance to yell. But I'm sorry about one, sir. Kemp had to swing at him and busted his bubble."
"Fatal?"
"No, we got a patch on in time. But worse than Bradshaw."