The landing boat shot forward, then piled the Planeteers in a
heap on the bottom as Dowst accelerated upward.
There was a sudden wrenching crash that sent the Planeteers in a jumbled
mass into the front of the boat. It whirled crazily, then stopped.
Rip was not hurt. He shoved at someone whose bubble was in his stomach
and cleared the way. "Turn on belt lights," he called. "Quick!"
Lights flared on. He searched quickly, swinging his light. The Planeteers
were getting to their feet. His light focused on Private Bradshaw, and he
gasped.
Bradshaw's face was scarlet, and his skin was flecked with drops of
blood. His eyes were closed and bulging horribly.
Rip jumped forward, but Koa was even faster. The Hawaiian jerked a repair
strip from a belt pouch and slapped it on the crack in Bradshaw's bubble.
Rip wasted no time, either. By the time Koa had the strip in place he had
pulled the connection from his belt light. He ran the tips of the wires
over the edges of the strip. The current sealed the patch in place
instantly.
Koa grabbed the atmosphere control on Bradshaw's belt and turned it. The
suit puffed up. Rip watched the repair anxiously in the light from Koa's
belt. It held.
Rip reconnected his light as he asked swiftly, "Anyone else hurt? Answer
by name.
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