was terrific. Then I went on up.
That was some shot Kramer had given me.

* * * * *

Above I could see the end of the duct faintly in the light coming up
through the open chamber door from the utility room. I remembered the
location of the disposal slot on the Bridge now; it had been installed
in the small apartment containing a bunk and a tiny galley for the use
of the Duty Officer during long watches on the Bridge.

I reached the top of the duct and pushed against the slot cover. It
swung out easily. I could see the end of the chart table, and beyond,
the dead radar screen. I reached through and heaved myself partly out. I
nearly fainted at the stab from my ribs as my weight went on my chest.
My head sang. The light from below suddenly went out. I heard a muffled
clank; then a hum began, echoing up the duct.

"She's closed and started cyclin' the air out, Cap'n," Thomas said
calmly. "We got about half a minute."

I clamped my teeth together and heaved again. Below me Thomas waited
quietly. He couldn't help me now. I got my hands flat against the
bulkhead and thrust. The air was whistling around my face. Papers began
to swirl off the chart table. I twisted my body frantically, kicking
loose from the grip of the slot, fighting the sucking pull of air. I
fell to the floor inside the room, the slot cover slamming behind me. I
staggered to my feet. I pried at the cover, but I couldn't open it
against the vacuum. Then it budged, and Thomas' hand came through. The
metal edge cut into it, blood started, but the cover was held open half
an inch. I reached the chart table, almost falling over my leaden feet,
seized a short permal T-square, and levered the cover up. Once started,
it went up easily. Thomas face appeared, drawn and pale, eyes closed
against the dust being whirled into his face. He got his arms through,
heaved himself a little higher. I seized his arm and pulled. He
scrambled through.

I knocked the T-square out of the way and the cover snapped down. Then I
slid to the floor, not exactly out, but needing a break pretty bad.
Thomas brought bedding from the OD bunk and made me comfortable on the
floor.

"Thomas," I said, "when I think of what the security inspectors who
approved the plans for this arrangement are going to say when I call
this little back door to their attention, it almost makes it worth the
trouble."

"Yes, sir," Thomas said. He sprawled on the deck and looke