“Never mind, I’ll do it myself. Go about your work.”
“Yes, sir.” The spacer turned away, a puzzled look on his face.
Lors motioned to Danson and headed toward the tube door. He could well understand the spacer’s bewilderment. While it was possible for the pilot of a scout ship to launch his own craft, it was highly impractical and not normally done. He hoped it didn’t arouse their suspicions. He yanked the door open and looked over his shoulder. Danson was almost to him, running hard. Heads turned as the mechanics watched him run.
“Hurry!”
Danson reached the door and Lors shoved him into the tube.
[p146]
“Where’s Brice,” Danson demanded.
Lors slammed the door and whirled the wheel of the spider lock. He didn’t answer. He was too concerned with getting the door secured. Through the port in the heavy door, he could see spacers gesturing and pointing at the blast tube.
“Where’s Brice!”
“He’s dead.” Lors secured the wheel and noticed that a Vice-commander had come into the hangar area. “Get in the ship! Fast!”
Outside, the hanger workers were milling about like a fleet of bees. Lors turned to Danson and saw him standing beside the ship, his eyes wild with disbelief.