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They could put the supplies in the cave, then take to the boat, depending on its ability to turn quickly and on Dowst’s skill at piloting to play hide and seek. Dowst certainly could keep the asteroid between them and the cruiser. The plan would fail when the cruiser sent a landing party.
He tried to sound calm, but the shakiness of triumph and excitement was in his voice. "All Planeteers. We have the Connie snapper-boats. Koa, bring your men here." He felt someone working on his arm and turned to see Corporal Pederson, his face one vast grin in the glare from Dowst’s belt light. "Koa didn’t need me," he said. Rip grinned back. "Nunez," he called. "How are things at the cave?"
"Open outer valve when ready." "Get Flaming, Foster!" He took a quick final look around. The pilots were in the boats. His Planeteers were standing by, safety lines already attached to the boats and their belts. He moved into position and snapped his own line to a ring on Dowst’s boat. The spacemen vanished through the valve and the massive door slid closed. The overhead lights flicked out.
At last, certain that everything was in good order, he said quietly, "Pilots, man your boats." Dowst got into one and a spaceman into the other. Dowst’s boat would stay with them on the asteroid. The spaceman would bring the other to the ship. Commander O’Brine stepped through the valve into the boat lock. A spaceman handed him a hand communicator. He spoke into it.
Rip’s arms flashed above his head. His thumbs compressed. Air spurted from the two bottles, driving him downward, feet first, directly at the heads of the Connies! From the corner of his eye Rip saw Dowst’s heavy space boots and knew the private was right with him. As they drove down, one of the Connies stepped a little distance away from the others, probably to get a better look at Santos.
He reached the first crystal and directed, "Get behind these rocks and stay down. Feel your way. Use me for a guide. I’ll hold on until you’re under cover." He gripped a crystal. "Come on." Dominico pulled himself along Dowst’s prone form, and then along Rip’s.
He slid parallel to the surface and a foot above it, heading for the crystals. Once or twice he reached down and gave another push. It was like swimming, except that only the tips of his gloves touched the ground, and there was no resistance of any kind. He felt Dowst’s grip on his boots, but he couldn’t feel the weight of his men.
He directed swiftly, "Dowst, take my boots. Dominico, take Dowst’s boots." He lay face down on the metal ground until he felt hands grip his boots, then he asked, "All set?" Two voices answered. "Ready." Rip put his gloves on the ground and pulled himself forward and slightly upward. Since there was very little gravity, the action both lifted and pulled him.
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