All ate silently. Since the additional talk about Ben, it was as if cold water had been poured over their spirits.
After the brief meal the captain suggested that the lights be turned down and everyone try to get a “night” of sleep.
“I think all of us are brain fagged and bored after all that has happened,” he said. “Maybe there’ll be someone knocking on our air-lock door before we wake up.”
No one objected to the idea, as it seemed to be the only thing left for them to do.
When everyone was settled down for the “night,” Captain Eaton cut off all lights within the flier. It was still not very dark in the flier because outdoors it was brighter than the brightest moonlight night on earth, owing to the brilliant glow of earthshine.
“If our rescuers do not show up some time tomorrow,” Captain Eaton said, “we had better start cutting back on our battery power. That will mean no lights inside, except use of the flashlight in the cabinet, and less warmth. I have a feeling that our batteries will play out before any of our other supplies do.”
When Garry woke the next “morning,” he heard some of the others stirring about. Patch was standing over him with two tablets and Garry’s personal water bottle which squeezed the liquid into one’s mouth.
“What’s this?” Garry mumbled. “Time for my medicine?”
“Medicine nothing,” Patch replied. “This, son, is breakfast. Or would you prefer nice crisp bacon and fluffy scrambled eggs?”
“Aw, Patch, cut it out,” Garry pleaded. “You don’t have to make this any tougher than it is!”