INTO THE SUN
by JOHN L. CHAPMAN
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Comet May 41.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
"There's nothing like having a good quart of scotch with you when you're falling into the sun," said Lejeune. "Won't you join me, gentlemen?"
"Listen to him," sputtered Geitz. "He's enjoying this. He likes being cooked in a cubby-holed space ship; he likes to sit here day after day while the floor beneath him is burning his shoes."
Lejeune, the wiry French biologist, lowered the half-empty bottle from his lips and scowled at the ship's doctor. "But not for long, my dear Geitz, not for long. Our fate lies within a few hours. The ship will be drawn closer and closer to the sun. The heat will become unbearable. Then—pffffft!—the ship will be a little spark—"
"You're a pain," growled Captain Rogers.
Lejeune raised his eyebrows quizzically and grinned. He said nothing, walked to a bunk, and sat down beside Lane, the pilot.
The silence continued for some time, broken only by the footfalls of Captain Rogers in his nervous pacing. There was nothing to do but wait. The four of them knew that. The ship couldn't hold out much longer; it would burst under the terrific strain, would be reduced instantly to a cinder by the sun's blistering heat.