They both fell silent.
From the direction of the Nova came faintly a sound like a string of fire-crackers going off together. "It is dum-dum fire!"
"But it can't be! It's impossible."
The sound of explosions drifted to them again.
Gavin sprang back into the litter.
"Wait here," he cried. "Something's wrong at the ship." He knew that it couldn't be the Terran patrol spacers attacking. The balloon hadn't time to rise into the stratosphere yet.
A great fear for the Nova's safety gripped him. Whatever the cost, the ship must be preserved intact so that Terra's scientists could examine her space drive. It had become the paramount issue, over-shadowing in importance even the detestable slave trade.
"No!" Nadia cried. "Don't go back there." She flung herself on him, pressing her body flat against his. "Please, for my sake, Gavin!"
He pushed her rudely aside.