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went to the forest to start chopping away to get enough logs to build a supporting structure to keep the ship upright for launch.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â It wasn't that we couldn't launch the ship from its side, but to do that, the ship would have to be let down or fall. Since we didn't have the tools to build anything capable of supporting the ship and easing it down on its side, the only way for that to happen was for it to fall. In the ship's current condition, a fall would probably maroon us by causing major structural damage that we had no way of repairing. As it was, we knew we would be on the planet for several months just to repair the damage to the steering. That was going to be difficult to do by itself because of our landing. The only advantage the upright landing gave us was the ability to use all our shipboard weapons to defend ourselves with.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â It took us the better part of a week to cut the timber and then erect it into a protective scaffolding around the ship. After that, some of us returned to our regular tasks and helped out with the repairs when we were free. For myself, I still had hydroponics to take care of each day. Being on a planet didn't end that responsibility. However, there wasn't as much effort needed to care for them.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Week by week, we watched the repairs being made with tools meant for lighter tasks while the rest of us maintained the remainder of the ship and performed guard. This planet wasn't exactly our best choice for landing. It was inhabited by wildlife that was varied and widespread. There was a resemblance to some wildlife of other worlds and some that was distinctively unique to the planet. Somehow, DNA or whatever seems to have gotten around to many of the hospitable worlds. Somewhat similar creatures have evolved to meet each planet's environment. This planet had a heavier gravity than Earth, but lighter than Beulah. For that reason, we didn't feel much hampered by it. The wildlife was obviously used to it and moved quite fast. More than once, the Mark II singles had to open up on some creature that ventured too close and scare it away. We held off on using the heavier weapons. After all, we didn't want to barbecue the creatures. Although the Mark II singles were capable of doing the same thing to the wildlife, it was also capable of being used at a lighter setting so that it could just sting and drive them away. It wasn't unusual each day to hear the whine and sharp crack of one of the Mark II singles being used to keep the area clear.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Gradually, the engine cones were repaired. It became time to move on to the more difficult work of repairing the steering fins and stabilizers for atmospheric flight. To repair some of the damage to them, we actually had to remove some of the plating around them after breaking through the fused portions with our torches. It was a good thing we did. Over half the wiring that controlled them was likewise melted and fused into small puddles that had solidified on the insides of the plating. To repair the controls to the fins and stabilizers, we had to use the last of our remaining supplies of repair parts and wire.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â Finally, after four months of repair work, the ship was once again ready for flight back into space. I think a lesser crew would have given up long ago and either perished in space or not tried to lift off again from the planet we were able to land on. The scaffolding was removed enough that we could launch. Then we all took our places and prayed as Frank started the engines and rechecked the steering before we jetted off with almost as much vigor as we were used to having.
    Â Â Â Â Â Â We knew the course and headings which we would have to take to get back home. If nothing else, we knew that we would be paid well for all the time we spent keeping the ship together and returning it, not to mention the bonuses for the pirate ship we