Adventures in the Far Future & Tales of Outer Space — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Invisible behind its shield, the great pile waited. Outside, hovering beyond the air lock, the stars floated in austere Splendor ... The crew of four worked on, absorbed in their problem, oblivious to time. The silence was broken only by the harsh breathing and the short, staccato sentences as the men exchanged information and asked questions. They had pitifully little to go on, with their limited instruments, but they had knowledge and understanding. And they had something else— a burning, unquenchable ferocity of purpose that would not be denied. Man was writing another chapter now—and Collins and his tiny band would not give up. Time passed as the minutes supped into hours and the hours crept forward into a day and on. Finally, they had done all they could. “It all checks, as far as | can see,” said Webb, rubbing his bloodshot eyes, his great beard floating free in the air. Renaldo nodded. “Someone threw the rods,” he agreed. “That’s all—there could have been no other failure. Or why are the rods in place?” Echols, thin and pale, said nothing. There was only one thing to try, his expression seemed to say. They must simply try it, and if it failed then that was that. Collins was the first to look up. Startled, he surveyed the engine room with quick eyes. “Owens,” he said quietly. “He’s gone.” The others followed his gaze to the airlock door, almost without interest. They had greater problems than Owens to worry about; the man’s usefulness was at an end. “He didn’t get out the door into the ship,” Renaldo offered. “! would have noticed that. He’s gone Outside.” “Why?” speculated Collins, and then let it drop. It could not concern them now. “| guess we're as ready as we'll ever be,” Webb said Shortly, a tight little smile on his lips. CORniclooo SS (SO)