This latest bad news filled Garry with a new dread. But he refused to give up hope. He remembered that Ben was working in the flier, trying to put it in shape.
“Captain Eaton,” he asked, “do you think Ben will have the flier ready by the time we begin falling to the moon?”
“I couldn’t even guess at that. If there’s not too much wrong with the flier, he may get it repaired in short order. But a major repair—I just don’t know. I guess the next thing now is to inform the men of our course and get Ben’s estimate of the flier’s damage.”
The three of them joined Ben and Mr. Klecker in the flier a few moments later. The small rocket ship was still held fast to the bigger Carefree, their two air locks joined as if they were one ship.
When Captain Eaton had told the men that they were headed for the moon, whether they liked it or not, Ben replied, “Well, Captain, I suppose we’ve just got to get the space taxi in shape in mighty short order. I don’t imagine the Carefree will bounce very well on the moon’s hard, rocky surface.”
“Do you really think you can get it repaired in time, Ben?” Captain Eaton asked gravely.
“How much time do you think you can give me?” Ben asked.
“I’ll have to do some more calculating before I can estimate exactly how long it will be before we go into final fall,” was the reply, “but, offhand, I would say you’ve got no longer than six hours.”
Ben looked at the damaged control panel of the flier and shook his head.
“Impossible,” he said, “but I’ll do it. I’ve got to do it.”