During their discussion of past events, they had almost forgotten about the present whereabouts of Kalmus and his men. They went to check the escape hatches and found one of four lifeboat rockets gone.
“I don’t see how they expect to reach any of the space stations with their limited knowledge of navigation,” Sparky said.
“Even Judas can find his way home from here,” Rock told him. “We’re only a few thousand miles from the outer radio relay satellite. The lifeboats have simple instructions printed on the walls that practically anybody can follow.”
Shep changed the subject. “Anybody know what caused the explosion?”
“Probably a valve lock somewhere in the chemical fuel system,” Hugh answered. “That’s what all of us think, judging from the sound of the blast. Our tinkering with the jets might have caused it.”
“The thing to do now,” Rock said, “is to get these ships back to port, that is, if the Dog Star has still got its power. I suggest we split into two groups, four on the Northern Cross and three on the Dog Star.”
It was discovered that the damage from the explosion would prevent the Dog Star from traveling at its best speed because one entire rocket section was out of order. But it would run.
They drew lots to see who would ride in which vessel. Rock, Hugh, Ed, and Shep drew the Northern Cross and Leo, Sparky, and Johnny the Dog Star.
Rock and his three companions who would return to the Northern Cross went back to the ship by way of the towline. The ghost ship still hovered overhead in the same position it had occupied before, even though the two craft were traveling at a good pace through the deeps.
The space ships were brought back into their original Earthward paths, and in a few hours’ time the braking rockets were ready to cut in.