Let the transparent globe be shattered, and the results
were both quick and final. Hence the oft heard threat, "I'll bust your
bubble."
Speaking of bubbles ... Rip realized suddenly that he and his men would
have to live in bubbles and space suits while on the asteroid. None of
the minor planets were big enough to have an atmosphere or much gravity.
If only he could get a look into those cases! But the ship was still
decelerating, and he would have to wait. He put his head against the
chair rest and settled down to wait as patiently as he could.
_Brennschluss_ was a long time coming. When the deceleration finally
stopped, Rip didn't wait for gravity. He hauled himself out of the chair
and the squad room and went down the corridor hand over hand. He headed
straight for where the supplies were stacked, his Planeteers close behind
him.
Commander O'Brine arrived at the same time. "We're starting to scan for
the asteroid," he greeted Rip. "May be some time before we find it."
"Where are we, sir?" Rip asked.
"Just above the asteroid belt near the outer edge. We're beyond the
position where the asteroid was sighted, moving along what the _Altair_
figured as its orbit. I'm not stretching space, Foster, when I tell you
we're hunting for a needle in a junk pile.
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