the coast of california loomed below them now, a brown fringe holding back the dazzling flood of the pacific. they were 3000 miles above the earth, dropping sharply on the down leg of the ellipse.

at their present speed, the station appeared to be plunging directly at the earth. the globe was frighteningly larger each time it wobbled across the viewport.

"shall i call away the tugmen?" bert asked tensely.

"i can't ask them to do it," kevin said. "with this crazy orbit, it's too dangerous. i'm going out."

he slipped into his space gear.

"i'm going with you," bert said. kevin smiled his gratitude.

in the airlock the men armed themselves with three heavy rocket pistols each. morrow ordered other tugmen into suits for standby.

"i wish i could do this alone, bert," he said soberly. "but i'm glad you're coming along. if we miss, there won't be a second chance."

they knew approximately when they would pass over the rocket launching base, but this time it would be different. the space station would pass at 750 miles altitude and with a new velocity. no one could be sure the feeder rocket would make it. unless maximum fuel had been adjusted carefully, it might orbit out of reach below them. rescue fuel would take the place of a pilot.