Five minutes
passed, then ten, and before they knew it, a full half-hour of the
precious time had vanished. They completed the installation of the
second unit and climbed back into the jet boats. The first two units
had been buried at points protected from the sun by cliffs, and they had
been sheltered from the burning rays.
But, approaching the position for the third reactor unit, Connel
searched in vain for some shade. He wasted five precious minutes,
scouting an area of several miles, but he could find nothing to protect
them on the flat plain.
"Better put in the ultraviolet glass shields in our helmets, boys," he
called into the jet-boat communicator. "It's going to be mighty hot, and
dangerous."
"Aye, aye, sir," came the replies from the other two jet boats soaring
close by.
Roger began refitting their space helmets with the dark glass that would
shield them from the strong rays of the enlarging sun.
"Ever been outside in the direct path of the sun with no protection,
Roger?" asked Astro.
"No," replied Roger. "Have you?"
"Once," said Astro softly. "On the second moon of Mars, Phobos.
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