NEITHER OF THEM MOVED for a long moment, then their eyes swung automatically toward the restless ocean. Kerry Blane jerked his head toward the ship.
“Get in there,” he ordered, “and start that rewiring job. I’ll stand guard out here, and, if anything shows up, use the hand guns we’ve got.”
“But—” Splinter began.
“Damn it!” Command was in the old man’s tone. “If we’re attacked, we won’t stand a chance without the big guns. There are animals on this world that have digestive juices more corrosive than hydrofluoric acid—they could wreck the cruiser in ten minutes.”
Splinter darted to the rope ladder, swarmed upward. He paused at the port, his youthful face concerned.
“I’m sorry about causing the short,” he said. “I didn’t—”
“Get that job done,” Kerry Blane snapped. “You’re not to blame
