The heavy fabric of the suit was stiff, and the air pressure gave further
resistance that had to be overcome. Rip let most of the air out of the
suit, then fought for breath until the pain in his arm told him that Koa
had succeeded. He inflated the suit again and thanked the sergeant major
weakly.
The tight line stopped the bleeding, but it also cut off the air
circulation. Without the air, the heating system couldn't operate
efficiently. It was only a matter of time before the arm froze.
"Stand easy," Rip told his men. "Nothing to do now but wait. The
_Scorpius_ will be back." He set an example by leaning against the
thorium crystal in which the cave was located. It was a natural but
rather meaningless gesture. With virtually no gravity pulling at them,
they could remain standing almost indefinitely, sleeping upright.
Rip closed his eyes and relaxed. The pain in his arm was less now, and he
knew the cold was setting in. He was getting lightheaded, and, most of
all, he wanted to sleep. Well, why not? He slumped a little inside the
suit.
He awoke with Koa shaking him violently. Rip stood upright and shook his
head to clear his vision. "What is it?"
"Sir, the _Scorpius_ has returned.
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