and slipped a slender filament
through the tiny gap between the edge of the
utility cover and its frame. Below, Zolan inserted
the free end of the filament into a clip on the
bridge of a pair of goggles, and donned them.

"Up a mite," he called to Kumiko. "OK, hold it,
now scan a 360, slow."

He gave the goggles to Brad who donned them
and scoped the ground level through the filament.

"The manhole is in a cul-de-sac, closed in on three
sides by walls set back about two meters from where
we are. The cul-de-sac accesses a street on which
traffic is passing. The dome's inside wall is on
the far side, and I see some markings on it. Each
of you, look about and get your bearings. Speak up
if you recognize the area or the markings."

The goggles passed from one to the other. Zolan
tossed them up to Kumiko at the top of the ladder
and caught them when they were lowered. He handed
them to Ram who peered at the ground scene as he
listened.

"Strip markings," Adari said. "They're usually
located to orient folks coming in from the outside.
My guess is we're close to a strip or an air lock."

"Any idea which one?" Brad asked.

"Not from appearances," Adari replied, "but I kept
track of our twists and turns to this point, and
the way I figure, we're in the western quadrant of
the city. The sector has more air locks than the
others because it's on the main route to landing
pads for the maintenance shops. We've lucked out
-- maybe."

"What do you mean by 'maybe'? Don't hold back."

"The traffic. More people about."

The silence was heavy.

"If we can make it to an air lock without being
challenged," Brad said, "we'll get Ram to a taxi.
Hodak, can you rig a taxi to manual control and
leave it with enough power for a one-time flight
through the depot's cocoon?"

Hodak, Zolan and Adari put their heads together.
Ram shoved his head in among them, and vigorous
hand motions cut the air. Ram nodded as Hodak
turned back to Brad.

"Can do," he said.

"Next item," Brad said. "Ram, can you get your
long frame into a standard suit?"

"Once we get into the air lock I'll look for the
biggest suit on the rack. Then I'll just have to
push, pull and squeeze. Won't be the first time."

Brad looked up at Kumiko, holding the scope in
place.

"Got it?" He called up.

"Yep."

"Comments?"

"As long as I'm up here, how about me taking point?"

"OK. Now, all of you. Set weapons at max. If
we're seen and tied to Ram, th