The Jovian day, Gavin knew, was only nine hours and fifty-five minutes long. That meant the Nova would be on Jupiter forty-nine hours. Gavin made a hasty mental calculation. It cut the margin of success to the barest minimum time. He would have to act and act quickly.
He started for the ladder, feeling the increased gravity tug at his flesh.
"Not so fast, lad," said Villanowski.
Gavin paused.
The chief engineer's attitude had undergone such a remarkable change that Gavin's own suspicions had been aroused. It dated from the second meal following the little death. Nadia had regaled the officers with her dream—the one in which Gavin had been a T.I.S. agent and contrived the capture of them all on Jupiter.
Villanowski's homely face had clouded. Then he had remarked with a wry expression that stranger things could happen.
Oddly enough, however, he no longer evinced the slightest suspicion of Gavin. But an occasional joshing reference to Murdock, the T.I.S. agent, revealed that he hadn't forgotten Nadia's dream.
Gavin said, "Yes sir," in a doubtful tone. He couldn't afford to arouse any doubts now.
"The Captain wants to see you before you go ashore."
"Yes, sir."