I swung the massive cover off and set it down. The equipment waited for
the touch of a button and it went into operation. I stepped back as the
tubes glowed to life and the arm swung down with the gleaming needle.
The needle went into the corded neck of the man. The fluid chamber
drained under pressure and the arm moved back.
I stood by the man for long minutes. Finally it came. He stirred
restlessly, closing his hands into fists. The deep chest rose and fell
unevenly as he breathed. Finally the eyes opened and he looked at me.
I watched him adjust to the room. It was in his eyes, wide at first,
moving about the confines of the room back to me.
"It looks like we made it," he said.
"Yes."
He unfastened the belt and sat up. I pushed him back as he floated up
finding little humor in the comic expression on his face.
"No gravity," he grunted and sat back.
"You get used to it fast," I answered. I thought of what to say as he
watched me. "How do you feel?"