The door was closed but not locked. They slid it open, pushing it into its recess. Dr. Sparks had obeyed Carl’s instruction to get into his crash seat, and he hadn’t left it. The man was trembling, and the whites of his eyes showed. It was only after repeated assurances that he was safe that he undid his harness and rose from the seat. Harrington told him to check his equipment and find out what was still working. She also told him to ready his first aid supplies, because they would no doubt be sending him some casualties soon.
The man said barely a word in reply. As they left him, he was counting the same bandages over and over again.
A few people wandered the corridors, dazed. The crew members were beginning to venture from their cabins. Sounds of groaning and crying were coming from s
