The men laughed.
"All right, men," Brace said, sobering quickly. "We've got about an hour and a half to wait. That gives us enough time to eat, and then we'll see if we can get into space."
"First watch on duty!" Barrows shouted.
Several men left and the others straggled out after them. The Chief Cook disappeared into the galley, dragging his assistant after him.
When the men had gone, Barrows turned to Brace. "Goin' a chuck her out in space?"
Brace rubbed his chin. "I don't know. I'll figure it out after we blast off."
The port buzzer rang hollowly through the ship. Tensing, Barrows looked at the Captain, then his hand slid inside his jacket and he pulled out a large atoblast and hefted it.
"Put away the toy," Brace grunted. "I'll bluff 'em. If I can't, you get 'em from the companionway and we'll blast off."
Barrows nodded and followed Brace into the companionway. The big mate stopped at the corner, waiting just out of sight with his gun held level.