The first of the warning bells rang for take-off. They settled themselves in the padded bunks, and the long, lean, cheerful-looking man in Lower One, whose youth was already overlaid with many kinds of experience, glanced up at Trehearne and said, "You're not used to this, are you?"
"No." Trehearne's belly had contracted suddenly into a hard knot, and his skin was cold with a clammy sweat. The agonies of that first take-off returned to him full force. He knew this one would not be as bad. Once the adjustment was made, you were all right. Everybody said so. It didn't make any difference. He was scared.
The man in Lower One said quietly, "Just take it easy. By the way, my name is Yann. Radar crew."
"Hello."
The second warning sounded. Trehearne's teeth shut together with a snap and his jaw muscles stood out in ridges.
Red-head in Upper One said, "I'm Perri. Low man in the generator room."
Trehearne grunted.
The voice of Lower Two, directly beneath him, said, "If you fall through, I'll catch you. I'm Astrogation-Computer Technician, Second Class. A big mouth-filling title, but all I do is punch keys. They call me Rohan."
Trehearne said painfully, "On Earth there was a Cardinal...."
Third warning. Silence. A drawing-in, a throb, a quiver, and then a leap....