human
Probably looking to see which would be the best way to let us have it!
gpt
Time to go,
human
Go where?
gpt
We have to abandon ship, declared Connel.
human
The power deck is shot. We'll never get under way, and we're just sitting ducks if we stay aboard.
gpt
What's to prevent Devers from picking us off while we're outside?
human
Nothing, said Connel.
gpt
But he'll have a harder job and maybe he won't get all of us.
human
Then, sir, said Tom with a glance at Roger,
gpt
I have an idea.
human
Let's have it,
gpt
The projectiles, sir,
human
What about them?
gpt
We can still fire them off the emergency batteries, sir.
human
Will you get to the point, Corbett? growled Connel.
gpt
Devers is liable to send another torpedo our way any second and-- Connel suddenly stopped and his eyes widened.
human
A torpedo!
gpt
Exactly, sir! exclaimed Tom.
human
We have five projectiles! We can use them as torpedoes!
gpt
Jumping Jupiter! exclaimed Astro.
human
What a terrific idea!
gpt
What a terrific pipe dream! snapped Connel.
human
Those projectiles don't have any warheads!
gpt
They could still do a lot of damage if they hit that ship,
human
And how do you expect to aim them? demanded Connel.
gpt
There's not enough juice in the batteries to steer them!
human
We'll just fire them straight ahead, sir, broke in Roger.
gpt
Look! he continued, pointing to the scanner screen.
human
Devers' ship is just circling us now. And he's on the same plane of the ecliptic. If he holds that course--
gpt
He'll cross our bow! exclaimed Astro excitedly.
human
A perfect shot!
gpt
Ridiculous! shouted Connel.
human
Preposterous! It'll never work in a million light years! He'll fire another torpedo and we'll be blasted into space dust!
gpt
But we can try it, can't we, sir?
human
Of course we can! roared Connel.
gpt
I've never given up a battle yet and, by the stars, I'm not going to now!