"An accident," I said shortly. "Go back to your room. Captain's
orders."
She eyed me and then retreated. Snap was threatening everybody with
his cylinder. Balch dashed up. "What in hell! Where is Carter?"
"In there." I pounded on A22. It opened cautiously. I could see only
Carter, but I heard the murmuring voice of Dr. Frank through the
interior connecting door to A20.
The Captain rasped, "Get out, Haljan! Oh, is that you, Balch? Come
in." He admitted the older officer and slammed the door upon me again.
And immediately reopened it.
"Gregg, keep the passengers quieted. Tell them everything's all right.
Miss Prince got frightened--that's all. Then go to the turret. Tell
Blackstone what's happened."
"But I don't know what's happened."
Carter was grim and white. He whispered, "I think it may turn out to
be murder, Gregg! No, not dead yet.... Dr. Frank is trying ... don't
stand there like an ass, man. Get to the turret! Verify our
trajectory--no--wait...."
The Captain was almost incoherent. "Wait a minute. I don't mean that!
Tell Snap to watch his radio room. Arm yourselves and guard our
weapons."