B25C11 - Panel Punch

Three doors? Wasn't there a fourth door? And why wasn't it open?

<Ax!> I said urgently. <I don't want to turn around and look, but is there a fourth door?>

Ax swiveled one stalk eye. <Yes! It must lead to the exterior of the ship. But there is a control pad protecting the emergency manual release. It is undoubtedly coded. It would take me hours to find the security code.>

Of course. And Visser Three knew that. But maybe this wasn't a case for subtlety. I flexed my canned ham fist. <Jake! There's another door behind us. A keypad. Maybe I can break it open.>

(...)

I saw the keypad. I drew back my pile-driver arm and slammed it with all my might. It crumpled like a tin can.

<Rip away the metal!> Ax yelled, even as he used his reversed stalk eyes to aim a sonic-boom tail snap at a rushing Hork-Bajir.

Rachel withdrew, backed up a dozen feet, and ran all out, full speed, on all fours at the cylinder. A small army of Hork-Bajir leaped after her.

(...)

I ripped away the loose metal of the keypad.

<Squeeze that handle!> Ax ordered.

I squeezed.

Too late, Visser Three saw his mistake.

<Bridge!> he roared. <Bridge, get us up! Get us up!>

The outer hull door began to slide. It opened onto empty whiteness.

<Jake! Cassie! Everyone! Door open! Bail!> I yelled.