VIII. Take-off
As soon as the ramp was closed and sealed, the loadmaster jumped from his seat and began passing out harnesses to the many kids huddled in the cargo to protect them during take-off. Most of the kids had no idea how to put them on, so Lieutenant Langejürgen, his team and Natalya had to help them.
Mayhew was still holding the little boy in his arms. He tried to set down his burden, only to find that he could not, for the little boy steadfastly refused to let go.
“Come on, little one,” Mayhew said softly, “You’ve got to let go now, so I can go to the bridge and get this bucket into the air, okay?”
But the little boy would not let go. He said something in his own language, over and over again.
“Natalya…?”
“He says that Katya — that’s his sister, I presume — said he should
