There was silence for a moment, and then Rel spoke again. “I’ve tried to radio for help,” he said, “but we can’t get through to the base from here. We’re in a dead space behind the asteroid. Will you send a rescue ship for me as soon as you get to the base?”
“Yes,” Maris thought, “I could do that. I could go on and win the race, and then send back help.” She could still win the Space Star medal. She wanted very much to continue. But she couldn’t. Not yet anyway.
“I’ll stay here with you for a while,” she told Rel. “I’ll contact someone else to send the rescue ship.”