There was a popping sound as a
flexible tube burst a few yards away. Tinkling glass rained down in
several places as light bulbs popped with the influx of too much
energy. Mark began to flip rapidly through files on the screen.
All at once a panel a hundred yards away blew out in a monstrous
explosion. A burst of brilliant white light blinded the men
momentarily. As their eyes returned to normal a loud hiss cut through
the air and continued to build. Yellow and orange sparks erupted in a
spectacular shower from the damaged panel. Mark turned toward the site
with a look of panic. Without warning a connector at the panel lit up
with a coruscating orange color. Unable to handle the power surge, it
began to melt and fragment. In less than a second, the damage shot
through the connector and came to where it entered the computer
terminal. There was a sickening, deep "brrzzz" sound, and the screen
went dark.
Mark slumped toward the floor. Madera grabbed the Starman before he
fell and eased him to the iron deck. Joe ran forward.
21: The Asteroid Over Vanuatu
ZIP was already hunched over Mark when Joe came to the front of the
crowd. A few of the men hovered nearby, which others ran to the site of
the explosion. Most stayed in place, looking around nervously.
"Is he.
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