“Easy as pie,” Arnold said. “Where is it?”
“About two hundred sleds farther back. Numbers on the side. Number two hundred sixty-three. Can you remember?”
“I ain’t dumb. Where you gonna be?”
“Back in the ship. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Back again in the control cabin with Banner, Harcraft was about to congratulate himself on inventing the apprentice system, when a piercing scream brought both men to their feet. “It’s Arnold,” Banner said. “Arnold, you all right?”
Harcraft pushed Banner away from the speaker. “Arnold, what’s wrong, you O.K.?” The speaker remained silent.
“You better suit up,” Banner said quietly.
“Yeah,” Harcraft said, staring dumbly at the speaker. “Yeah, I better suit up.”
“Wait. Better take a look on the viewscreen.”