“None. But of course, we can in no way be sure. Just because nothing has registered on our screens we can not say that it does not exist. If we were but a fraction off a well- traveled space lane we would not know it! And now, Dard, we have Rogan to rouse. I promised Sim that he would be on hand to share duty.”
Again they made that trip below, lifted out the proper box and brought back to life the man who slumbered in it.
“That is the last one,” stated Kordov when they had established Rogan in the control cabin. “No more until after we land. Hah!”
He had turned to look at the screen and the exclamation was jolted out of him by what he saw there. Land masses, mottled green-blue-red against which seas of a brighter hue washed.
“So we do not join fish. Instead you, Dard, must go and shake Sim back to life. Now is the time for him to be on duty!”
Shortly afterward Dard crouched on one of the acceleration mats beside the unconscious Rogan while the others occupied the chairs before the controls. The atmosphere within the cabin was tense and yet Kimber alone was at ease.
“Rogan come to yet?” he asked without turning his head.
Dard gently shook the shoulder of the man on the next mat. He stirred, muttered. Then his eyes opened and he scowled up at the roof of the cabin. A second later he sat up.
“We made it!” he shouted.
“That we did!” Kordov answered cheerfully. “And now—”