No answer.
"Second," he called.
"Here," came a weak answer. "What happened?"
"I don't know yet, but we're the only ship left. Find the First and come up."
"Okay."
One after another Webster checked the crew. No one dead or even seriously hurt. Fourteen men had been knocked out. There were a few sprains and pulled tendons and at least one bruised soul. Even disaster seems to have a sense of humor. The Chief Machinist had been sitting in the head when the blow struck. They found him there helpless, thrust deep into the toilet, wildly cursing.
The First arrived at the Control Room. The Polaris by this time was heading swiftly back to Earth.
"Have you warned Earth?" asked the First.
"Not yet," said the Third, "I've just finished checking. We're in good shape."
"I'll tell them then," said the First. "What a surprise this is going to be. It will upset everything."