Curt came to his feet, breathing heavily. It seemed unbelievable that other Guards were not attracted to the scene! But all he heard was the steady, hollow sound of the pumps supplying air to the Prison Dome. He groped for the energast gun, but couldn't find it now. There was no time to waste!
He hurried forward, keeping one hand outstretched against the wall. He sought to pierce the darkness ahead. A few minutes later he paused again, as another figure loomed. Curt wished now that he'd found the gun, but it was too late for that!
"Emmons?..."
Curt let out a slow breath of relief as the whisper came to him. He hurried forward to greet another Earthman.
"You're late," the second man said. "What happened?"
"A little trouble. How about the helmets? Get them?"
"Wouldn't be here otherwise!"
"The Martian. Did he make it?"
"Yeah, but I don't see why he—"
"Never mind that, Rikert," Curt snapped. "Let's go."