3 Chapter 3

The former I possessed simply from being a scientist, the latter in part because of my temperament, and in part because—as I said before, I simply plain likedmen in uniform—especially Marines.

* * * *

I awoke, or rather was shotout of my sleep, by an explosion that rocked the aircraft. I was thrown about in my straps, and momentarily flailed, until my hands found my armrests, and clung on for dear life.

No one cried out, and my ears were ringing after the explosion. I heard the engine noise change, and then the entire world went topsy-turvy as the plane at first rolled over, and then curved into a steep dive.

I must have left finger impressions on those armrests, but I said not a word, my jaws clenched, my mind blank with terror, awaiting the inevitable fatal crash.