human
I think we can make a try for it now, sir. Frazier looked white and wan, shaking, hollow-eyed, but a smile was on his lips.
gpt
Two engines are intact. Two will run half-speed or a little better, and one will do a little.
human
One remains dead?
gpt
Yes, sir. But we can repair that on the way. Rudders and propellers will do. Helicopters O.K.
human
And floats?
gpt
Both aft floats repaired, sir. One is cut down a third, and one a half, but they will serve.
human
How about petrol? the Master demanded.
gpt
We have only that one aft starboard tank, now, not over three-quarters full.
human
There's a chance that will do till we can run down a caravan along the Red Sea, carrying petrol to Suakin or Port Sudan. So there's a fighting hope--if we can raise ourselves out of this sand that clings like the devil himself. It's lucky, sir, we jettisoned those stores. Wind and current brought some of them back, anyhow. If they'd stayed in the storeroom they'd have all been burned to a crisp.
gpt
Yes, yes. You think, then, we can make a start?
human
We can try, sir,