"Get that girl in," he growled at last.
Ellenor paused briefly as she entered the escape port. Her eyes sought Lodar's. "I'm sorry about the things I said," she offered gently. "I—"
"Go on, get in!" Lodar shoved her, then turned to Ray. "You too. Get set for takeoff. When McVane and I tackle the crew I'll toss a signal bomb into the corridor. You'll hear it explode. Take off, fast!"
Ray nodded. He shook hands with McVane, hesitated briefly, then offered his hand to Lodar.
"Go on!" Lodar snarled. "Get out before I get some sense and change my mind!"
Before Ray closed the inner lock, McVane passed him an envelope. "Give it to the girlie," he muttered.
Inside the escape ship, Ray closed the little hatch, then touched the emergency button which swung open the outer port on the Vulcan's hull. With the butt of his gun he hammered a signal. They were ready.
Neither he nor Ellenor spoke as they waited. The seconds dragged in silence except for the sound of their breathing.
Suddenly a hollow boom resounded, followed by the sharp rattle of metal.
"That's it!" Ray gunned the little escape ship clear.