Failles cackled. "It's already spread. They're glowing and beginning to buckle."
"Keep fighting it down."
"We can't. We're running short of Rayburn's Isotope."
"When it's gone, get your men into the dome-hold. There's an escape hatch there."
Harald looked up as Norman returned to the control room.
"I finally got Scorpio. These tubes are nearly burned out. I guess there's enough free radiation loose in this ship to fry eggs. The old man said they'd relay our message to the freighters. They'll check by Hidalgo to see if we made it."
Merrill was staring out the spaceport at the glittering darkness ahead.
"It's been nearly two hours," he said. "D'you think we'll be able to see it soon?"
"I doubt it. We're coming up on dark-side. Perhaps a faint radiance. Put everything on automatic, you two, and get into space suits. The others will meet us in the dome."
"Hull armor's going. We'll have to abandon ship. I hope we can raise Hidalgo. If not—"