"That or liquid air. I didn't have any way to test, think it was oxygen. But get this-the bladder wasn't even cold. And it didn't fume until she squeezed out the drop. The other gal was carrying it around as casually as you carry a hot-water bottle."
Oscar stared off into space a moment. "It beats me," 1 said. "The only thing I can think of is catalyst chemist -they must have catalyst chemistry down to the poi where they can do things without fuss that we do with heat and pressure."
"Why try to figure it out?" asked Tex. "You'll probably get the wrong answer. Just let it go that they've forgotten more about chemistry than we'll ever learn. And we get the 'go’ juice."
For two days a steady procession of little folk had formed a double line from the water's edge to the Astarte, bearing^ full bladders toward the ship and returning with empty ones. Thurlow was already abroad, still attended by his patient little nurses. Burke was brought to the ship under escort and turned loose. The cadets let him alone, which seemed to disconcert him. He looked the ship over-it was the first he had heard of it-and finally sought out Jensen.
"If you think I'm going to ride in that flying coffin you're greatly mistaken."
"Suit yourself."
"Well, what are you going to do about it?"
"Nothing. You can stay in the jungle, or try to persuade the city mother to take you back."
Burke considered it. "I think I'll stay with the frogs. If you get through, you can tell them where I am and have them come get me." S
"I'll tell them where you are all right and all the rest of it, too."