The connecting lock clanked open. The rocket pilot stepped out.
"He got sick," the pilot whispered to Kevin. "I swabbed him off, but he's hoppin' mad."
The senator's mop of white hair appeared in the port. Kevin braced to absorb a tirade, but McKelvie's deep scowl changed to an expression of bliss as he floated weightless into the tiny room.
"Why, this is wonderful!" he sputtered. He waved his arms like a bird and kicked experimentally with a foot.
"Grab him!" Kevin shouted. "He's gone happy with it."
The pilot was too late. McKelvie's body sailed gracefully through the air and his head smacked the bulkhead. His eyes glazed in a frozen expression of carefree happiness.
Kevin swore. "Now he'll accuse us of a plot against his life. Help me get him to sick bay."
The two men guided the weightless form into a tube connecting with the outer ring. As they pushed outward, McKelvie's weight increased until they carried him the last 50 feet into the dispensary compartment.
Max Gordon burst wild-eyed into the room.
"What have you done to the senator?" he shouted. "Why didn't you tell me he was coming up?" Morrow made sure McKelvie was receiving full medical attention before he turned to the junior officer.