"What's that?"
"Felt like the blow-back of an atom jet," Gavin replied tersely. "I think Y's ship, the Comet, is landing."
The Nova rocked again, more violently than before, and a faint rush of flaming jets penetrated to the engine room.
Villanowski scuttled through the door with Gavin prodding Nadia after him. The chief darted for the control board, seized a gleaming lever, slid it cautiously along a slot.
The huge spherical tube, which Gavin had observed before, began to glow gently. The yellow mist, he saw, was gathering in the outer room, but the air in their chamber remained crystal clear.
"The time field," Villanowski explained, "creates a neutral area, an oasis, around the point of generation."
Gavin rubbed his eyes. On the other side of the door was nothing! It was like looking out into the void beyond the farthermost limits of the stars.
"Now, Murdock," Gavin heard Villanowski ask, "when do you expect the interplanetary patrol spacers to land?"
Gavin wheeled around. There was an uncertain smile on Villanowski's homely features.