“We had to have a leader,” Shep said more calmly. “We chose you because we thought you were the best. We still do. Now quit feeling sorry for yourself!”
“I don’t know what could have happened!” Rock sighed, shaking his head.
“I know,” Shep said. “Kalmus just happened to see you fellows coming, that’s all.”
Rock sat down wearily. “You take over from here, Shep. I’m licked.”
Shep could see that his friend was genuinely distressed. He concealed the harrowing pain he felt in his ankle and tried to think of their next move. Minutes passed without Rock speaking. He merely stared out the port at the star-jeweled sky and the shimmering ball of Earth that could look so close to a person in space and yet be so far away.
“You said that two could run this ship in a pinch,” Shep spoke to break the silence. “We’ll just have to take the Northern Cross back to port ourselves and get help from the Space Guard. The boys will probably try to stall longer and keep the Dog Star on the ground.”
“I guess that is the only way,” Rock admitted, then added dismally, “If the ship isn’t here when the Guard comes back, we probably won’t see the fellows anymore, that’s all.”
“What you need is a good rest, Rock,” Shep told him. “None of us has had one since we came here. Let’s get a few hours of sleep, one at a time, and then get back to the problem when we’re more refreshed. I’ll stand first watch to see if the Dog Star takes off.”
“I am pretty tired,” Rock said. “This time we’ll do what you say, Shep,” he smiled feebly. “You be sure to wake me to relieve you.”
Rock stretched out in a chair and fell asleep almost immediately.