Asbriong 5

"DRAW"

Launcher's voice echoed over the amplifier.

The box began to descend into what miners called the slingshot. The similarity in operation was not far off.

From the lowest seat, Hable glared upward at the two extra passengers. He wasn't the only one. The slighter, younger researcher mopped his forehead with a cloth, trying to lean toward his companion then remembering the harness that held his body.

"What?" The older man yelled over the noise of motion.

"I said I hate this part!" came the sharp reply. "It makes me sick!"

"If you throw up on us-" a fellow miner began.

"HOLD" Launcher announced. The box halted.

Hable closed his eyes. Eight "Straps!" filled his ears followed by two delayed, halfhearted shouts from the university men.

Hable tugged the klaxon in two short bursts.

"You dods ever been canyoning before?" He pressed his head back in the seat.

"Come again?" the young one asked. "What's-"

"BYE GENTS"

The box slammed them all back, light bursting through the windows as they were flung into the sky.