"These men of my crew answer my controls too slowly. They should jump when my signals come."
The plates suddenly shifted normally, but there had been an interval of delay. Molo was puzzled and annoyed. My heart pounded as I wondered if he would investigate. But he did not.
"You had better sleep, Haljan. Take advantage now; we shall have action presently. Did you figure our emerging curve?"
I shoved my computations across the table to him. "There."
"You are quick, Haljan."
"We should emerge from the Moon's shadow in about two hours."
"But I will not hold that course. We're staying close near here with the other vessels, but I want some velocity always. Take your sleep, Haljan."
I stretched on the narrow floor mattress. The turret was silent.
I was aroused from a doze by Molo's activities in the turret. The girls and Meka were still below. The ever-silent Venusian, squatting in the turret corner, still had his gun upon me.
I saw that Grantline's ships, over a wide fan-shaped spread, were advancing.