The answer came out fantastically wrong. He tried again and failed.
It was impossible to concentrate. And he knew why. That shifting reflection from the pool of Luline. That unintelligible message flashed across space.
It could have been caused by the breaking of the surface of the pool.
It had to be caused by that.
And it would haunt him forever unless he turned back. He swung the Corsair into a turn that blacked out his vision, but when he could see again he was headed for the asteroid once more.
He came in too fast. He had to circle twice to brake his speed. Then the Corsair sped down into the depression and over the pool.
Piloting required too much attention to keep a close watch on the shiny surface, but one brief glance brought a gasp from his throat. There was something lying at the edge of the pool that had not been there before.
His landing this time was made with a terrific jolt that rocked the ship. Then he entered the lock without waiting to don a spacesuit. He knew that Firebird had been right when she said it was unnecessary.
He kept the inner door of the lock closed to conserve the heat in the ship, but he swung the outer door open and plunged out.