midnight
Ten minutes later , Ben reappeared in the cab , slid into the left-hand seat . `` Hit the sack , kid , '' he told Ferguson . The chronometer read 2204 . `` I 'll wake you at midnight -- or sooner , if anything breaks . '' Ferguson stood up and stretched , then went into the galley . He poured himself a cup of coffee and carrying it with him , went back to the crew quarters . He closed the door to the galley and sat down on the lower bunk to sip his coffee .