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diff --git a/20147-h/20147-h.html b/20147-h/20147-h.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e03922 --- /dev/null +++ b/20147-h/20147-h.html @@ -0,0 +1,11714 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /><link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" /><meta name="DC.Creator" content="Blake Savage" /><meta name="DC.Title" content="Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet" /><meta name="DC.Date" content="December 20, 2006" /><meta name="DC.Language" content="English" /><meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /><meta name="DC.Identifier" content="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20147" /><meta name="DC.Rights" content="This text is in the public domain." /><title>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet by Blake Savage</title><style type="text/css">/* +The Gnutenberg Press - default CSS2 stylesheet + +Any generated element will have a class "tei" and a class "tei-elem" +where elem is the element name in TEI. +The order of statements is important !!! 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You may copy it, + give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project + Gutenberg License <a href="#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this + eBook</a> or online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class="tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p></div><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">Title: Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet + +Author: Blake Savage + +Release Date: December 20, 2006 [Ebook #20147] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIP FOSTER RIDES THE GRAY PLANET*** +</pre></div> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<div class="block tei tei-docTitle"><div class="block tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet</span></div></div><div class="block tei tei-byline" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">by </span><span class="inline tei tei-docAuthor" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 173%">Blake Savage</span></span></div><div class="tei tei-div" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 5.76em; margin-top: 5.76em"><span class="tei tei-docEdition" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-edition" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 144%">Edition 1</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">, (</span><span class="tei tei-docDate" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-date" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 144%">December 20, 2006</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 144%">)</span></div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Illustrated by E. Deane Cate</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em">Extensive research did not uncover any +evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="fig1" id="fig1"></a></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image01.png" width="507" height="640" alt="Illustration: hard cover illustration" /></div> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Dust Jacket Blurb</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Foster, Lieutenant, R. I. P.," blared +the voice horn, and five minutes later +Rip Foster was off into space on an +assignment more exciting than any he +had ever imagined. He could hardly +believe his ears. Could a green young +Planeteer, just through his training, +possibly carry out orders like these? +Sunny space, what a trick it would be!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the moment Rip boards the +space ship <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> there is a thrill a +minute. He and his nine daring Planeteers +must cope with the merciless +hazing of the spacemen commanding +the ship, and they must outwit the +desperate Connies, who threaten to +plunge all of space into war. There are +a thousand dangers to be faced in +high vacuum—and all of this while +carrying out an assignment that will +take every reader's breath away.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><a name="fig5" id="fig5"></a></p><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image05.png" width="640" height="981" alt="Illustration: Major Barris Faced Rip and the New Planeteers" title="Major Barris Faced Rip and the New Planeteers" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">Major Barris Faced Rip and the New Planeteers</div></div> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page009">[pg 009]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Rip Foster Rides the Gray Planet</span></h1> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc6" id="toc6"></a> +<a name="pdf7" id="pdf7"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter One - SCN Scorpius, Spacebound</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A thousand miles above earth's surface the great +space platform sped from daylight into darkness. +Once each two hours it circled the earth completely, +spinning along through space like a mighty wheel +of steel and plastic. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Through a telescope from earth the platform +seemed a lifeless, lonely disk, but within it, hundreds +of spacemen and Planeteers went about their +work. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In a ready-room at the outer edge of the platform, +a Planeteer officer faced a dozen slim, blackclad +young men who wore the single golden orbits +of lieutenants. This was a graduating class, already +commissioned, having a final, informal get-together. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The officer, who wore the three-orbit insignia of +a major, was lean and trim. His hair was cropped +short, like a gray fur skull cap. One cheek was +marked with the crisp whiteness of an old radiation +burn. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page010">[pg 010]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Stand easy," he ordered briskly. "The general +instructions of the Special Order Squadrons say that +it's my duty as senior officer to make a farewell +speech. I intend to make a speech if it kills me—and +you, too." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The dozen new officers facing him broke into +grins. Major Joe Barris had been their friend, teacher, +and senior officer during six long years of training +on the space platform. He could no more make +a formal speech than he could breathe high vacuum, +and they all knew it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Lieutenant Richard Ingalls Peter Foster, whose +initials had given him the nickname of "Rip," asked, +"Why don't you sing us a song instead, Joe?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Major Barris fixed Rip with a cold eye. "Foster, +three orbital turns, then front and center." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip obediently spun around three times, then +walked forward and stood at attention, trying to +conceal his grin. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Foster, what does SOS mean?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Special Order Squadrons, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Right. And what else does it mean?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It means, 'Help!' sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Right. And what else does it mean?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Superman or simp, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +This was a ceremony in which questions and answers +never changed. It was supposed to make +Planeteer cadets and junior officers feel properly +humble, but it didn't work. By tradition, the Planeteers<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page011">[pg 011]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +were the cockiest gang that ever blasted +through high vacuum. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Major Barris shook his head sadly. "You admit +you're a simp, Foster. The rest of you are simps, +too. But you don't believe it. You've finished six +years on the platform. You've made a few little +trips out into space. You've landed on the moon a +couple times. So now you think you're seasoned +space spooks. Well, you're not. You're simps." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stopped grinning. He had heard this before. +It was part of the routine. But he sensed that this +time Joe Barris wasn't kidding. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The major rubbed the radiation scar on his cheek +absently as he looked them over. They were like +twelve chicks out of the same nest. They were all +about the same size, a compact five-feet-eleven +inches, 175 pounds. They wore loose black tunics, +belted over full trousers which gathered into white +cruiser boots. The comfortable uniforms concealed +any slight differences in build. The twelve were all +lean of face, with hair cropped to the regulation half +inch. Rip was the only redhead among them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sit down," Barris commanded. "I'm going to +make a farewell speech." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip pulled a plastic stool toward him. The others +did the same. Major Barris remained standing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Well," he began soberly, "you are now officers +of the Special Order Squadrons. You're Planeteers. +You are lieutenants by order of the Space Council,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page012">[pg 012]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Federation of Free Governments. And—space protect +you!—to yourselves, you're supermen. But never +forget this: to ordinary spacemen, you're just plain +simps. You're trouble in a black tunic. They have +about as much use for you as they have for leaks +in their air locks. Some of the spacemen have been +high-vacking for twenty years or more, and they're +tough. They're as nasty as a Callistan <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">teekal</span></span>. They +like to eat Planeteer junior officers for breakfast." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Lieutenant Felipe "Flip" Villa asked, "With salt, +Joe?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Major Barris sighed. "No use trying to tell you +space-chicks anything. You're lieutenants now, and +a lieutenant has the thickest skull of any rank, no +matter what service he belongs to." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip realized that Barris had not been joking, no +matter how flippant his speech. "Go ahead," he +urged. "Finish what you were going to say." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Okay. I'll make it short. Then you can catch the +Terra rocket and take your eight earth-weeks leave. +You won't really know what I'm talking about until +you've batted around space for a while. All I have +to say adds up to one thing. You won't like it, +because it doesn't sound scientific. That doesn't +mean it isn't good science, because it is. Just remember +this: when you're in a jam, trust your +hunch and not your head." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The twelve stared at him, open-mouthed. For six +years they had been taught to rely on scientific<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page013">[pg 013]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +methods. Now their best instructor and senior officer +was telling them just the opposite! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip started to object, then he caught a glimmer +of meaning. He stuck out his hand. "Thanks, Joe. +I hope we'll meet again." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Barris grinned. "We will, Rip. I'll ask for you as +a platoon commander when they assign me to cleaning +up the goopies on Ganymede." This was the +major's idea of the worst Planeteer job in the Solar +System. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The group shook hands all around; then the +young officers broke for the door on the run. The +Terra rocket was blasting off in five minutes, and +they were due to be on it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip joined Flip Villa and they jumped on the +high speed track that would whisk them to Valve +Two on the other side of the platform. Their gear +was already loaded. They had only to take seats on +the rocket and their six years on the space platform +would be at an end. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I wonder what it will be like to get back to high +gravity?" Rip mused. The centrifugal force of the +spinning platform acted as artificial gravity, but it +was considerably less than earth's. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We probably won't be able to walk straight until +we get our earth-legs back," Flip answered. "I wish +I could stay in Colorado with you instead of going +back to Mexico City, Rip. We could have a lot of +fun in eight weeks." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page014">[pg 014]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip nodded. "Tough luck, Flip. But anyway, we +have the same assignment." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Both Planeteers had been assigned to Special Order +Squadron Four, which was attached to the +cruiser <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Bolide</span></span>. The cruiser was in high space, beyond +the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn doing comet +research. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They got off the track at Valve Two and stepped +through into the rocket's interior. Two seats just +ahead of the fins were vacant and they slid into +them. Rip looked through the thick port beside +him and saw the distinctive blue glow of a nuclear +drive cruiser sliding sternward toward the platform. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Wave your eye stalks at that job," Flip said +admiringly. "Wonder what it's doing here?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The space platform was a refueling depot where +conventional chemical fuel rockets topped off their +tanks before flaming for space. The newer nuclear +drive cruisers had no need to stop. Their atomic +piles needed new neutron sources only once in a +few years. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The voice horn in the rocket cabin sounded. "The +SCN <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> is passing Valve Two, landing at Valve +Eight." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I thought that ship was with Squadron One on +Mercury," Rip recalled. "Wonder why they pulled +it back here?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Flip had no chance to reply because the chief +rocket officer took up his station at the valve and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page015">[pg 015]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +began to call the roll. Rip answered to his name. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The rocket officer finished the roll, then announced: +"Buttoning up in twenty seconds. Blast +off in forty-five. Don't bother with acceleration harness. +We'll fall free, with just enough flame going +for control." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The ten-second warning bell sounded, and, before +the bell had ceased, the voice horn blasted. +"Get it! Foster, R.I.P., Lieutenant. Report to the +platform commander. Show an exhaust!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip leaped to his feet. "Hold on, Flip. I'll see +what the old man wants and be right back." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get flaming," the rocket officer called. "Show an +exhaust like the man said. This bucket leaves on +time, and we're sealing the port." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hesitated. The rocket would leave without +him! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Flip said urgently, "You better ram it, Rip." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He knew he had no choice. "Tell my folks I'll +make the next rocket," he called, and ran. He +leaped through the valve, jumped for the high speed +track and was whisked around the rim of the space +platform. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He ran a hand through his short red hair, a gesture +of bewilderment. His records had cleared. So +far as he knew, all his papers were in order, and he +had his next assignment. He couldn't figure why +the platform commander would want to see him. +But the horn had called "show an exhaust," which<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page016">[pg 016]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +meant to get there in a hurry. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He jumped off the track at the main crossrun and +hurried toward the center of the platform. In a +moment he stood before the platform commander's +door, waiting to be identified. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The door swung open and a junior officer in the +blue tunic and trousers of a spaceman motioned +him to the inner room. "Go in, Lieutenant." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Thank you." He hurried into the commander's +room and stood at attention. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander Jennsen, the Norwegian spaceman +who had commanded the platform since before Rip's +arrival as a raw cadet, was dictating into his command +relay circuit. As he spoke, printed copies were +being received in the platform personnel office, +Special Order Squadron headquarters on earth, +aboard the cruiser <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Bolide</span></span> in high space, and aboard +the newly landed cruiser <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip listened, spellbound. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Foster, R.I.P., Lieutenant, SOS. Serial seven-nine-four-three. +Assigned SOS Four. Change orders, +effective this date-time. Cancel earth-leave. Subject +officer will report to commander, SCN <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> with +detachment of nine men. Senior non-commissioned +officer and second in command, Koa, A.P., Sergeant-major, +SOS. Serial two-nine-four-one. Commander +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> will transport detachment to coordinates +given in basic cruiser astrocourse, delivering orders +to detachment enroute. Take full steps for maximum<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page017">[pg 017]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +security. This is Federation priority A, Space +Council security procedures." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip swallowed hard. The highest possible priority, +given by the Federation itself, had cancelled +his leave. Not only that, but the cruiser to which +he was assigned was instructed to follow Space +Council security procedures, which meant the job, +whatever it was, was rated even more urgent than +secret! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander Jennsen looked up and saw Rip. He +snapped, "Did you get all of that?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Y-Yessir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You'll get written copies on the cruiser. Now +flame out of here. Collect your men and get aboard. +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> leaves in five minutes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip ran. The realization hit him that the big +nuclear cruiser had stopped at the platform for the +sole purpose of collecting him and nine enlisted +Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The low gravity helped him cover the hundred +yards to the personnel office in five leaps. He swung +to a stop by grabbing the push bar of the office +door. He yelled at the enlisted spaceman on duty, +"Where do I find nine men?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman looked at him vacantly. "What +for? You got a requisition, Lieutenant?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Never mind requisitions," Rip snapped. "I've +got to find nine Planeteers and get them on the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> before it flames off." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page018">[pg 018]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman's face cleared. "Oh. You mean +Koa's detachment. They left a few minutes ago." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Where? Where did they go?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman shrugged. The doings of Planeteers +were no concern of his. His shrug said so. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip realized there was no use talking further. +He ran down the long corridor toward the outer +edge of the platform. The enlisted men's squadrooms +were near Valve Ten. So was the supply +department. His gear had departed on the Terra +rocket, and he couldn't go to space with only the +tunic on his back. He swung to the high speed +track and braced himself as it sped him along the +platform's rim. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was no moving track inward to the enlisted +Planeteers' squadrooms. He legged it down the corridor +in long leaps, muttering apologies as blue-clad +spacemen and cadets moved to the wall to let him +pass. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The squadrooms were on two levels. He looked +in the upper ones and found them deserted. The +squads were on duty somewhere. He ran for the +ladder to the lower level, took the wrong one, and +ended up in a snapper-boat port. He had trained +in the deadly little fighting rockets, and they never +failed to interest him. But there wasn't time to +admire them now. He went back up the ladder with +two strong heaves, found the right ladder, and +dropped down without touching. His knees flexed<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page019">[pg 019]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to take up the shock. He came out of the crouch +facing a black-clad Planeteer sergeant who snapped +to rigid attention. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Koa," Rip barked. "Where can I find him?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He's not here, sir. He and eight men left fifteen +minutes ago. I don't know where they went, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shot a worried glance at his wrist chronometer. +He had two minutes left, before the cruiser +departed. No more time now to search for his men. +He hoped the sergeant-major had sense enough to +be waiting at some sensible place. He went up the +ladder hand over hand and sped down the corridor +to the supply room. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman first class in charge of supplies was +turning an audio-mag through a hand viewer, chuckling +at the cartoons. At the sight of Rip's flushed, +anxious face he dropped the machine. "Yessir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I need a spack. Full gear including bubble." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir." The spaceman looked him over with a +practiced eye. "One full space pack. That would be +medium-large, right, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Correct." Rip took the counter stylus and inscribed +his name, serial number, and signature on +the blank plastic sheet. Gears whirred as the data +was recorded. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman vanished into an inner room and +reappeared in a moment lugging a plastic case called +a space pack, or "spack" for short. It contained complete +personal equipment for space travel. Rip<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page020">[pg 020]</span><a name="Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +grabbed it. "Fast service. Thanks, Rocky." All spacemen +were called "Rocky" if you didn't know their +names. It was an abbreviation for rocketeer, a title +all of them had once carried. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Valve Eight was some distance away. Rip decided +a cross ramp would be faster than the moving track. +He swung the spack to his shoulder and made his +legs go. Seconds were ticking off, and he had an +idea the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> would make space on time, whether +or not he arrived. He lengthened his stride and +rounded a turn by going right up on the wall, +using a powerful leg thrust against a ventilator tube +for momentum. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He passed an observation port as he reached the +platform rim and caught a glimpse of ruddy rocket +exhaust flames outlined against the dark curve of +earth. That would be the Terra rocket making its +controlled fall to home with Flip aboard. Without +slowing, he leaped across the high speed track, narrowly +missing a senior space officer. He shouted +his apologies, and gained the entrance to Valve +Eight just as the high buzz of the radiation warning +sounded, signaling a nuclear drive cruiser preparing +to take off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nine faces of assorted colors and expressions +turned to him. He had a quick impression of black +tunics and trousers. He had found his detachment! +Without slowing, he called, "Follow me!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The cruiser's safety officer had been keeping an<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page021">[pg 021]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +eye on the clock, his forehead creased in a frown +as he saw that only a few seconds remained to departure +time. He walked to the valve opening and +looked out. If his passengers were not in sight, he +would have to reset the clock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip went through the valve opening at top speed. +He crashed head-on into the safety officer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The safety officer was driven across the deck, his +arms pumping for balance. He grabbed at the nearest +thing, which happened to be the deputy cruiser +commander. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The pre-set control clock reached firing time. The +valve slid shut and the take-off bell reverberated +through the ship. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And so it happened that the spacemen of the +SCN <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> turned their valves, threw their controls +and disengaged their boron control rods, and +the great cruiser flashed into space, while the deputy +commander and the safety officer were completely +tangled with a very flustered and unhappy new +Planeteer lieutenant. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa and his men had made it before +the valve closed. Koa, a seven-foot Hawaiian, +took in the situation and said crisply in a voice all +could hear, "I'll bust the bubble of any son of a +space sausage who laughs!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page022">[pg 022]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc8" id="toc8"></a> +<a name="pdf9" id="pdf9"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Two - Rake That Radiation!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy commander and the safety officer got +untangled and hurried to their posts with no more +than black looks at Rip. He got to his feet, his face +crimson with embarrassment. A fine entrance for +a Planeteer officer, especially one on his first orders! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Around him, the spacemen were settling in their +acceleration seats or snapping belts to safety hooks. +From the direction of the stern came a rising roar +as liquid methane dropped into the blast tubes, +flaming into pure carbon and hydrogen under the +terrible heat of the atomic drive. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had to lean against the acceleration. Fighting +for balance, he picked up his spack and made his +way to the nine enlisted Planeteers. They had +braced against the ship's drive by sitting with backs +against bulkheads, or by lying flat on the magnesium +deck. Sergeant-major Koa was seated against a +vertical brace, his brown face wreathed in a grin as +he waited for his new officer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked him over carefully. There was a saying +among the Planeteers that an officer was only +as good as his senior sergeant. Koa's looks were +reassuring. His face was good-humored, but he had<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page023">[pg 023]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a solid jaw and a mouth that could get tough when +necessary. Rip wondered a little at his size. Big men +usually didn't go to space; they were too subject to +space sickness. Koa must be a special case. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip slid to the floor next to the sergeant-major +and stuck out his hand. He sensed the strength in +Koa's big fist as it closed over his. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa said, "Sir, that was the best <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">fleedle</span></span> I've ever +seen an earthling make. You been on Venus?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip eyed him suspiciously, wondering if the big +Planeteer was laughing at him. Koa was grinning, +but it was a friendly grin. "What is a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">fleedle</span></span>?" Rip +demanded. "I've never been on Venus." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's the way the water-hole people fight," Koa +explained. "They're like a bunch of rubber balls +when they get to fighting. They ram each other +with their heads." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip searched his memory for data on Venus. He +couldn't recall any mention of <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">fleedling</span></span>. Venusians, +if his memory was right, had a sort of blowgun as +a main weapon. He told Koa so. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sergeant-major nodded. "That's when they +mean business, Lieutenant. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Fleedling</span></span> is more like +us fighting with our fists. Sort of a sport. Great Cosmos! +The way they dive at each other is something +to see." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned. "I didn't know I was going to <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">fleedle</span></span> +those officers. It isn't the way I usually enter a +cruiser." He hadn't entered many. He added, "I<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page024">[pg 024]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +suppose I ought to report to someone." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa shook his head. "No use, sir. You can't walk +around very well until the ship reaches brennschluss. +Besides, you won't find any space officers +who'll talk to you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stared. "Why not?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Because we're Planeteers. They'll give us the +treatment. They always do. When the commander +of this bucket gets good and ready, he'll send for +you. Until then, we might as well take it easy." He +pulled a bar of Venusian <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">chru</span></span> from his pocket. +"Have some. It will make breathing easier." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The terrific acceleration made breathing a little +uncomfortable, but it was not too bad. The chief +effect was to make Rip feel as though a ton of invisible +feathers were crushing him against the vertical brace. +He accepted a bite of the bittersweet +vegetable candy and munched thoughtfully. Koa +seemed to take it for granted that the spacemen +would give them a rough time. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He asked, "Aren't there any spacemen who get +along with the Special Order Squadrons?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Never met one." Koa chewed <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">chru</span></span>. "And I was +on the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Icarus</span></span> when the whole thing started." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked at him in surprise. Koa didn't seem +that old. The bad feeling between spacemen and +the Special Order Squadrons had started about 18 +years ago when the cruiser <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Icarus</span></span> had taken the first +Planeteers to Mercury. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page025">[pg 025]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reviewed the history of the expedition. The +spacemen's job had been to land the newly created +Special Order Squadron on the hot planet. The +job of the squadron was to explore it. Somehow, +confusion developed and the spacemen, including +the officers, later reported that the squadron had +instructed them to land on the sun side of Mercury, +which would have destroyed the spaceship and its +crew, or so they believed at the time. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The commanding officer of the squadron denied +issuing such an order. He said his instructions were +to land as close to the sun side as possible, but not +on it. Whatever the truth—and Rip believed the +SOS version, of course—the crew of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Icarus</span></span> mutinied, +or tried to. They made the landing on Mercury +with squadron guns pointed at their heads. Of +course, they found that a sun-side landing wouldn't +have hurt the ship. The whole affair was pretty +well hushed up, but it produced bad feeling between +the Special Order Squadrons and the spacemen. +"Trigger happy space bums," the spacemen called +them, and much worse besides. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The men of the Special Order Squadrons, searching +for a handy nickname, had called themselves +Planeteers, because most of their work was on the +planets. As Major Joe Barris had told the officers +of Rip's class, "You might say that the spacemen +own space, but we Planeteers own everything solid +that's found in it." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page026">[pg 026]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were the specialists—in science, +exploration, colonization, and fighting. The spacemen +carried them back and forth, kept them supplied, +and handled their message traffic. The Planeteers +did the hard work and the important work. +Or so they believed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +To become a Planeteer, a recruit had to pass +rigid intelligence, physical, aptitude, and psychological +tests. Less than 15 out of each 100 who applied +were chosen. Then there were two years of +hard training on the space platform and the moon +before a recruit was finally accepted as a Planeteer +private. Out of each 15 who started training, an +average of five fell by the wayside. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For Planeteer officers, the requirements were even +tougher. Only one out of each 500 applicants finally +received a commission. Six years of training made +them proficient in the techniques of exploration, +fighting, rocketeering, and both navigation and astrogation. +In addition, each became a full-fledged +specialist in one field of science. Rip's specialty was +astrophysics. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa continued, "That business on +the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Icarus</span></span> started the war, but both sides have been +feeding it ever since. I have to admit that we Planeteers +lord it over the spacemen like we were old +man Cosmos himself. So they get back at us with +dirty little tricks while we're on their ships. We +command on the planets, but they command in<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page027">[pg 027]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +space. And they sure get a great big nuclear charge +out of commanding us to do the dirty work!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll take whatever they hand us," Rip assured +him, "and pretend we like it fine." He gestured +at the other Planeteers. "Tell me about the men, +Koa." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"They're a fine bunch, sir. I hand-picked them +myself. The one with the white hair is Corporal +Nels Pederson. He's a Swede. I served with him at +Marsport, and he's a real rough space spickaroo in +a fight. The other corporal is little Paulo Santos. +He's a Filipino, and the best snapper-boat gunner +you ever saw." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pointed out the six privates. Kemp and Dowst +were Americans. Bradshaw was an Englishman, Trudeau +a Frenchman, Dominico an Italian, and Nunez +a Brazilian. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip liked their looks. They were as relaxed as +acceleration would allow, but you got the impression +that they would leap into action in a microsecond +if the word were given. He couldn't imagine +what kind of assignment was waiting, but he was +satisfied with his Planeteers. They looked capable +of anything. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He made himself as comfortable as possible, and +encouraged Koa to talk about his service in the Special +Order Squadrons. Koa had plenty to tell, and +he talked interestingly. Rip learned that the big +Hawaiian had been to every planet in the system,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page028">[pg 028]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +had fought the Venusians on the central desert, and +had mined nuclite with SOS One on Mercury. He +also found that Koa was one of the 17 pure-blooded +Hawaiians left. During the three hours that acceleration +kept them from moving around the ship, +Rip got a new view of space and of service with the +SOS—it was the view of a Planeteer who had spent +years around the Solar System. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm glad they assigned you to me," Rip told Koa +frankly. "This is my first job, and I'll be pretty +green, no matter what it is. I'll depend on you for +a lot of things." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +To his surprise, Koa thrust out his hand. "Shake, +Lieutenant." His grin showed strong white teeth. +"You're the first junior officer I ever met who admitted +he didn't know everything about everything. +You can depend on me, sir. I won't steer you into +any meteor swarms." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa had half turned to shake hands. Suddenly he +spun on around, his head banging against the deck. +Rip felt a surge of loosened muscles that had been +braced against acceleration. At the same time, silence +flooded in on them with an almost physical shock. +He murmured, "brennschluss," and the murmur +was like a trumpet blast. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had reached velocity and the nuclear +drive had cut out. From terrific acceleration +they had dropped to zero. The ship was making +high speed, but velocity cannot be felt. For the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page029">[pg 029]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +moment, the men were weightless. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A near-by spaceman had heard Rip's comment. +He spoke in an undertone to the man nearest. His +voice was pitched low enough so Rip couldn't object +officially, but loud enough to be heard. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get this, gang. The Planeteer officer knows what +brennschluss is. He doesn't look old enough to know +which end his bubble goes on." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip started to his feet, but Koa's hand on his +arm restrained him. With a violent kick the big +sergeant-major shot through the air. His line of +flight took him by the spaceman, and somehow their +arms got linked. The spaceman was jerked from his +post and the two came to a stop against the ceiling. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa's voice echoed through the ship. "Sorry. I'm +not used to no-weight. Didn't mean to grab you. +Here, I'll help you back to your post." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He whirled the helpless spaceman like a bag of +feathers and slung him through the air. The force +of the action only flattened Koa against the ceiling, +but the hapless spaceman shot forward head first +and landed with a clang against the bulkhead. He +didn't hit hard enough to break any bones, but he +would carry a bump around on his head for a day +or two. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa's voice floated after him. "Great Cosmos! I +sure am sorry, spaceman. I guess I don't know my +own strength." He kicked away from the ceiling, +landing accurately at Rip's side. He added in a hard<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page030">[pg 030]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +voice all could hear, "They sure are a nice gang, +these spacemen. They never say anything about +Planeteers." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +No spaceman answered, but Koa's meaning was +clear. No spaceman had better say anything about +the Planeteers! Rip saw that the deputy commander +and the safety officer had appeared not to notice the +incident. Technically, there was no reason for an +officer to take action. It had all been an "accident." +He smiled. There was a lot he had to learn about +dealing with spacemen, a lot Koa evidently knew +very well indeed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Suddenly he began to feel weight. The ship was +going into rotation. The feeling increased until he +felt normally heavy again. There was no other sensation, +even though the space cruiser now was spinning +on its axis through space at unaltered speed. +The centrifugal force produced by the spinning +gave them an artificial gravity. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Now that he thought about it, brennschluss had +come pretty early. The trip apparently was going to +be a short one. Brennschluss ... funny, he thought, +how words stay on in a language even after their +original meaning is changed. Brennschluss was German +for "burn out." It was rocket talk, and it +meant the moment when all the fuel in a rocket +burned out. It had come into common use because +the English "burn out" also could mean that the +engine itself had burned out. The German word<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page031">[pg 031]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +meant only the one thing. Now, in nuclear drive +ships, the same word was used for the moment when +power was cut off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Words interested him. He started to mention it +to Koa just as the telescreen lit up. An officer's face +appeared. "Send that Planeteer officer to the commander," +the face said. "Tell him to show an +exhaust." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip called instantly to the safety officer. "Where's +his office?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The safety officer motioned to a spaceman. "Show +him, Nelson." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip followed the spaceman through a maze of +passages, growing more weightless with each step. +The closer to the center of the ship they went, the +less he weighed. He was pulling himself along by +plastic pull cords when they finally reached the door +marked "Commander." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman left without a word or a salute. +Rip pushed the lock bar and pulled himself in by +grabbing the door frame. He couldn't help thinking +it was a rather undignified way to make an entrance. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Seated in an acceleration chair, a safety belt across +his middle, was Space Commander Keven O'Brine, +an Irishman out of Dublin. He was short, as compact +as a deto-rocket, and obviously unfriendly. He +had a mathematically square jaw, a lopsided nose, +green eyes, and sandy hair. He spoke with a pronounced +Irish brogue. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page032">[pg 032]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip started to announce his name, rank, and the +fact that he was reporting as ordered. Commander +O'Brine brushed his words aside and stated flatly, +"You're a Planeteer. I don't like Planeteers." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip didn't know what to say, so he kept still. But +sharp anger was rising inside of him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine went on, "Instructions say I'm to hand +you your orders enroute. They don't say when. I'll +decide that. Until I do decide, I have a job for you +and your men. Do you know anything about nuclear +physics?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's eyes narrowed. He said cautiously, "A little, +sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll assume you know nothing. Foster, the designation +SCN means Space Cruiser, Nuclear. This ship +is powered by a nuclear reactor. In other words, an +atomic pile. You've heard of one?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip controlled his voice, but his red hair stood +on end with anger. O'Brine was being deliberately +insulting. This was stuff any new Planeteer recruit +knew. "I've heard, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine. It's more than I had expected. Well, Foster, +a nuclear reactor produces heat. Great heat. We +use that heat to turn a chemical called methane into +its component parts. Methane is known as marsh +gas, Foster. I wouldn't expect a Planeteer to know +that. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. When +we pump it into the heat coils of the reactor, it +breaks down and creates a gas that burns and drives<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page034">[pg 034]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +us through space. But that isn't all it does." +</p> + +<a name="fig10" id="fig10"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image06.png" width="640" height="979" alt="Illustration: "You're a Planeteer. I Don't Like Planeteers."" title=""You're a Planeteer. I Don't Like Planeteers."" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"You're a Planeteer. I Don't Like Planeteers."</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had an idea what was coming, and he didn't +like it. Nor did he like Commander O'Brine. It was +not until much later that he learned that O'Brine +had been on his way to Terra to see his family for +the first time in four years when the cruiser's orders +were changed. To the commander, whose assignments +had been made necessary by the needs of the +Special Order Squadrons, it was too much. So he +took his disappointment out on the nearest Planeteer, +who happened to be Rip. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The gases go through tubes," O'Brine went on. +"A little nuclear material also leaks into the tubes. +The tubes get coated with carbon, Foster. They +also get coated with nuclear fuel. We use thorium. +Thorium is radioactive. I won't give you a lecture +on radioactivity, Foster. But thorium mostly gives +off the kind of radiation known as alpha particles. +Alpha is not dangerous unless breathed or eaten. It +won't go through clothes or skin. But when mixed +with fine carbon, thorium alpha contamination +makes a mess. It's a dirty mess, Foster. So dirty that +I don't want my spacemen to fool with it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I want you to take care of it instead," O'Brine +said. "You and your men. The deputy commander +will assign you to a squadroom. Settle in, then draw +equipment from the supply room and get going. +When I want to talk to you again, I'll call for you. +Now blast off, Lieutenant, and rake that radiation.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page035">[pg 035]</span><a name="Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Rake it clean." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip forced a bright and friendly smile. "Yes, sir," +he said sweetly. "We'll rake it so clean you can see +your face in it, sir." He paused, then added politely, +"If you don't mind looking at your face, sir—to see +how clean the tubes are, I mean." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned and got out of there. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa was waiting in the passageway outside. Rip +told him what had happened, mimicking O'Brine's +Irish accent. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sergeant-major shook his head sadly. "This +is what I meant, Lieutenant. Cruisers don't clean +their tubes more'n once in ten accelerations. The +commander is just thinking up dirty work for us to +do, like I said." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Never mind," Rip told him. "Let's find our +squadroom and get settled, then draw some protective +clothing and equipment. We'll clean his tubes +for him. Our turn will come later." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He remembered the last thing Joe Barris had +said, only a few hours before. Joe was right, he +thought. To ourselves we're supermen, but to the +spacemen we're just simps. Evidently O'Brine was +the kind of space officer who ate Planeteers for +breakfast. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip thought of the way the commander had +turned red with rage at that crack about his face, +and resolved, "He may eat me for breakfast, but I'll +try to be a good, tough mouthful!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page036">[pg 036]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc11" id="toc11"></a> +<a name="pdf12" id="pdf12"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Three - Capture and Drive!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine had not exaggerated. The +residue of carbon and thorium on the blast tube +walls was stubborn, dirty, and penetrating. It was +caked on in a solid sheet, but when scraped, it broke +up into fine powder. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers wore coveralls, gloves, and face +masks with respirators, but that didn't prevent the +stuff from sifting through onto their bodies. Rip, +who directed the work and kept track of the radiation +with a gamma-beta ion chamber and an alpha +proportional counter, knew they would have to undergo +personal decontamination. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took a reading on the ion chamber. Only a +few milliroentgens of beta and gamma radiation. +That was the dangerous kind, because both beta +particles and gamma rays could penetrate clothing +and skin. But the Planeteers wouldn't get enough +of a dose to do any harm at all. The alpha count +was high, but so long as they didn't breathe any of +the dust it was not dangerous. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had six tubes. Rip divided the Planeteers +into two squads, one under his direction and +one under Koa's. Each tube took a couple of hours'<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page037">[pg 037]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hard work. Several times during the cleaning the +men would leave the tube and go into the main mixing +chamber while the tube was blasted with live +steam to throw the stuff they had scraped off out +into space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Each squad was on its last tube when a spaceman +arrived. He saluted Rip. "Sir, the safety officer says +to secure the tubes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +That could mean only one thing: deceleration. +Rip rounded up his men. "We're finished. The +safety officer passed the word to secure the tubes, +which means we're going to decelerate." He smiled +grimly. "You all know they gave us this job just out +of pure love for the Planeteers. So remember it when +you go through the control room to the decontamination +chamber." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers nodded enthusiastically. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip led the way from the mixing chamber through +the heavy safety door into the engine control room. +His entrance was met with poorly concealed grins +by the spacemen. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Halfway across the room Rip turned suddenly and +bumped into Sergeant-major Koa. Koa fell to the +deck, arms flailing for balance—but flailing against +his protective clothing. The other Planeteers rushed +to pick him up, and somehow all their arms and +hands beat against each other. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The protective clothing was saturated with fine +dust. It rose from them in a choking cloud, was<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page038">[pg 038]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +picked up, and dispersed by the ventilating system. +It was contaminated dust. The automatic radiation +safety equipment filled the ship with an ear-splitting +buzz of warning. Spacemen clapped emergency respirators +to their faces and spoke unkindly of Rip's +Planeteers in the saltiest space language they could +think of. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and his men picked up Koa and continued +their march to the decontamination room, grinning +under their respirators at the consternation around +them. There was no danger to the spacemen since +they had clapped on respirators the moment the +warning sounded. But even a little contamination +meant the whole ship had to be gone over with instruments, +and the ventilating system would have +to be cleaned. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy commander met Rip at the door of +the radiation room. Above the respirator, his face +looked furious. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Lieutenant," he bellowed. "Haven't you any +more sense than to bring contaminated clothing into +the engine control room?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was sorry the deputy commander couldn't see +him grinning under his respirator. He said innocently, +"No, sir. I haven't any more sense than that." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy grated, "I'll have you up before the +Discipline Board for this." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was enjoying himself thoroughly. "I don't +think so, sir. The regulations are very clear. They<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page039">[pg 039]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +say, 'It is the responsibility of the safety officer to +insure compliance with all safety regulations both +by complete instructions to personnel and personal +supervision.' Your safety officer didn't instruct us +and he didn't supervise us. You better run him up +before the Board." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy commander made harsh sounds into +his respirator. Rip had him, and he knew it. "He +thought even a stupid Planeteer had sense enough +to obey radiation safety rules," he yelled. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He was wrong," Rip said gently. Then, just to +make himself perfectly clear, he added, "Commander +O'Brine was within his rights when he made us +rake radiation. But he forgot one thing. Planeteers +know the regulations, too. Excuse me, sir. I have to +get my men decontaminated." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Inside the decontamination chamber, the Planeteers +took off their masks and faced Rip with admiring +grins. For a moment he grinned back, feeling +pretty good. He had held his own with the spacemen, +and he sensed that his men liked him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All right," he said briskly. "Strip down and get +into the showers." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In a few moments they were all standing under +the chemically treated water, washing off the contaminated +dust. Rip paid special attention to his +hair, because that was where the dust was most +likely to stick. He had it well lathered when the +water suddenly cut off. At the same moment, the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page040">[pg 040]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cruiser shuddered slightly as control blasts stopped +its spinning and left them all weightless. Rip saw +instantly what had happened. He called, "All right, +men. Down on the floor." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers instantly slid to the shower deck. +In a few seconds the pressure of deceleration pushed +at them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I like spacemen," Rip said wryly. "They wait +until just the right moment before they cut the +water and decelerate. Now we're stuck in our birthday +suits until we land—wherever that may be." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Corporal Nels Pederson spoke up in a soft Stockholm +accent. "Never mind, sor. Ve'll get back at +them. Ve alvays do!" +</p> + +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +While the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> decelerated and started maneuvering +for a landing, Rip did some rapid calculations. +He knew the acceleration and deceleration +rates of cruisers of this class measured in terms of +time, and part of his daily routine on the space platform +had been to examine the daily astro-plot which +gave the positions of all planets and other large +bodies within the solar system. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was only one possible destination: Mars. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's pulse quickened. He had always wanted to +visit the red planet. Of course he had seen all the +films, audio-mags, and books on the planet, and he +had tried to see the weekly spacecast. He had a good +idea of what the planet was like, but reading or<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page041">[pg 041]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +viewing was not like actually landing and taking a +look for himself. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Of course they would land at Marsport. It was +the only landing area equipped to handle nuclear +drive cruisers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The cruiser landed and deceleration cut to zero. +At the same moment, the water came on. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hurriedly finished cleaning up, dressed, then +took his radiation instruments and carefully monitored +his men as they came from the shower. Private +Dowst had to go back for another try at getting +his hair clean, but the rest were all right. Rip handed +his instruments to Koa. "You monitor Dowst when +he finishes. I want to see what's happening." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He hurried from the chamber and made his way +down the corridors toward the engine control room. +There was a good possibility he might get a call from +O'Brine, with instructions to take his men off the +ship. He might finally learn what he was assigned +to do! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As he reached the engine control room, Commander +O'Brine was giving instructions to his spacemen +on the stowage of equipment that evidently was +expected aboard. Rip felt a twinge of disappointment. +If the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had landed to take on supplies +of some kind, his assignment was probably not on +Mars. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He started to approach the commander with a +question about his orders, then thought better of it.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page042">[pg 042]</span><a name="Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +He stood quietly near the control panel and watched. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The air lock hissed, then slid open. A Martian +stood in the entryway, a case on his shoulder. Rip +watched him with interest. He had seen Martians +before, on the space platform, but he had never gotten +used to them. They were human, still.... +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He tried to figure out, as he had before, what it +was that made them strange. It wasn't the blue-whiteness +of their skins nor the very large, expressionless +eyes. It was something about their bodies. +He studied the Martian's figure carefully. He was +slightly taller and more slender than the average +earthman, but his chest measurements would be +about the same. Nor were his legs very much longer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Suddenly Rip thought he had it. The Martian's +legs and arms joined his torso at a slightly different +angle, giving him an angular look. That was what +made him look like a caricature of a human. Although +he was human, of course. As human as any +of them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip saw that other Martians were in the air lock, +all carrying cases of various sizes and shapes. They +came through into the control room and put them +down, then turned without a word and hurried back +into the lock. They were all breathing heavily, Rip +noticed. Of course! The artificial atmosphere inside +the space ship must seem very heavy and moist to +them after the thin, dry air of Mars. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The lock worked and the Martians were replaced<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page043">[pg 043]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +by others. They, too, deposited their cases. But these +cases were bigger and heavier. It took four Martians +to carry one, which meant they weighed close to half +a ton each. The Martians could carry more than +double an earthman's capacity. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When the lock worked next time, a Planeteer captain +came in. He breathed the heavy air appreciatively, +fingering the oxygen mask he had to wear +outside. He saluted Commander O'Brine and reported, +"This is all, sir. We filled the order exactly +as Terra sent it. Is there anything else you need?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine turned to his deputy. "Find out," he +ordered. "This is our last chance. We have plenty +of basic supplies, but we may be short of audio-mags +and other things for the men." He turned his back +on the Planeteer captain and walked away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The captain grinned at O'Brine's retreating back, +then walked over to Rip. They shook hands. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm Southwick, SOS Two. Canadian." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip introduced himself and said he was an American. +He added, "And aside from my men, you're +the first human being I've seen since we made space." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Southwick chuckled. "Trouble with the spacemen? +Well, you're not the first." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Talking about assignments wasn't considered good +practice, but Rip was burning with curiosity. "You +don't by chance know what my assignment is, do +you?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The captain's eyebrows went up. "Don't you?" +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page044">[pg 044]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shook his head. "O'Brine hasn't told me." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I don't know a thing," Southwick said. "We got +instructions to pack up a pretty strange assortment +of supplies for the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> and that's all I know. +The order was in special cipher, though, so we're +all wondering about it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy commander returned, reported to +O'Brine, then walked up to Rip and Southwick. +"Nothing else needed," he said curtly. "We'll get +off at once." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Southwick nodded, shook hands with Rip, and +said in a voice the deputy could hear, "Don't let +these spacemen bother you. Trouble with them is, +they all wanted to be Planeteers and couldn't pass +the intelligence tests." He winked, then hurried to +the air lock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Spacemen worked quickly to clear the deck of the +new supplies, stowing them in a near-by workroom. +Within five minutes the engine control room was +clear. The safety officer signaled and the radiation +warning sounded. Taking off! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hurried to the squadroom and climbed into +an acceleration chair. The other Planeteers were +already in the room, most of them in their bunks. +Koa slid into the chair beside him. "Find out anything, +sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Nothing useful. A bunch of equipment came +aboard, but it was in plain crates. I couldn't tell +what it was." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page045">[pg 045]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Acceleration pressed them against the chairs. Rip +sighed, picked up an audio-circuit set, and put it +over his ears. Might as well listen to what the circuit +had to offer. There was nothing else to do. Music +was playing, and it was the kind he liked. He settled +back to relax and listen. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Brennschluss came some time later. It woke Rip +up from a sound sleep. He blinked, glancing at his +chronometer. Great Cosmos! With that length of +acceleration they must be high-vacking for Jupiter! +He waited until the ship went into the gravity spin, +then got out of his chair and stretched. He was hungry. +Koa was still sleeping. He decided not to wake +him. The sergeant-major would see that the men +ate when they wanted to. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the messroom only one table was occupied—by +Commander O'Brine. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip gave him a civil hello and started to sit alone +at another table. To his surprise, O'Brine beckoned +to him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sit down," the spaceman invited gruffly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip did, and wondered what was coming next. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll start to decelerate in about ten minutes," +O'Brine said. "Eat while you can." He signaled and +a spaceman brought Rip the day's ration in an individual +plastic carton with thermo-lining. The +Planeteer opened it and found a block of mixed +vegetables, a slab of space-meat, and two units of +biscuit. He wrinkled his nose. Space-meat he didn't<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page046">[pg 046]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mind. It was chewy but tasty. The mixed vegetable +ration was chosen for its food value and not for taste. +A good mouthful of earth-grass would be a lot more +palatable. He sliced off pieces of the warm stuff and +chewed thoughtfully, watching O'Brine's face for a +clue as to why the commander had invited him to +sit down. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It wasn't long in coming. "Your orders are the +strangest things I've ever read," O'Brine stated. "Do +you know where we're going?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip figured quickly. They had accelerated for six +and a half hours. Now, ten minutes after brennschluss, +they were going to start deceleration. That +meant they had really high-vacked it to get somewhere +in a hurry. He calculated swiftly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I don't know exactly," he admitted. "But from +the ship's actions, I'd say we were aiming for the +far side of the asteroid belt. Anyway, we'll fall short +of Jupiter." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was a glimmer of respect in O'Brine's +glance. "That's right. Know anything about asteroids, +Foster?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip considered. He knew what he had been taught +in astronomy and astrogation. Between Mars and +Jupiter lay a broad belt in which the asteroids swung. +They ranged from Ceres, a tiny world only 480 +miles in diameter, down to chunks of rock the size +of a house. No accurate count of asteroids—or minor +planets, as they were called—had been made, but<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page047">[pg 047]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the observatory on Mars had charted the orbits of +over 100,000. Most of them were only a mile or two +in diameter. Others, much smaller, had never been +charted by anyone. One leading astronomer had +estimated that as many as 50,000 asteroids filled the +belt. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I know the usual stuff about them," he told +O'Brine. "I haven't any special knowledge." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine blinked. "Then why did they assign you? +What's your specialty?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Astrophysics." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That might explain it. Second specialty?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Astrogation." He couldn't resist adding, "That's +what scientists call space navigation, Commander." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine started to retort, then apparently thought +better of it. "I hope you'll be able to carry out your +orders, Lieutenant," he said stiffly. "I hope, but not +much. I don't think you can." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip asked, "What are my orders, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine waved in the general direction of the +wall. "Out there, somewhere in the asteroid belt, +Foster, there is a little chunk of matter about one +thousand yards in diameter. A very minor planet. +We know its approximate coordinates as of two days +ago, but we don't know much else. It happens to be +a very important minor planet." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip waited, intent on the commander's words. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's important," O'Brine continued, "because it +happens to be pure thorium." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page048">[pg 048]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip gasped. Thorium! The rare, radioactive element +just below uranium in the periodic table of +the elements, the element used to power this very +ship! "What a find!" he said in a hushed voice. No +wonder the job was Federation priority A, with +Space Council security! "What do I do about it?" +he asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine grinned. "Ride it," he said. "Your orders +say you're to capture this asteroid, blast it out of its +orbit, and drive it back to earth!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page049">[pg 049]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc13" id="toc13"></a> +<a name="pdf14" id="pdf14"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Four - First, Find the Needle!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip walked into the squadroom with a copy of +the orders in his hand. After one look at his face, +the Planeteers clustered around him. Santos woke +those who were sleeping, while Rip waited. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We have our orders, men," he announced. Suddenly +he laughed. He couldn't help it. At first he +had been completely overcome by the responsibility, +and the magnitude of the job, but now he was getting +used to the idea and he could see the adventure +in it. Ten wild Planeteers riding an asteroid! Sunny +space, what a great big thermo-nuclear stunt! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa remarked, "It must be good. The lieutenant +is getting a real atomic charge out of it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sit down," Rip ordered. "You'd better, because +you might fall over when you hear this. Listen, men. +Two days ago the freighter <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Altair</span></span> passed through +the asteroid belt on a run from Jupiter to Mars." +He sat down, too, because deceleration was starting. +As his men looked at each other in surprise at the +quickness of it, he continued, "The old bucket found +something we need. An asteroid of pure thorium." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The enlisted Planeteers knew as well as he what +that meant. There were whistles of astonishment.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page050">[pg 050]</span><a name="Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Koa slapped his big thigh. "By Gemini! What do +we do about it, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We capture it," Rip said. "We blast it loose from +its orbit and ride it back to earth." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He sat back and watched their reactions. At first +they were stunned. Trudeau, the Frenchman, muttered +to himself in French. Dominico, the Italian, +held up his hands and exclaimed, "Santa Maria!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp, one of the American privates, asked, "How +do we do it, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned. "That's a good question. I don't +know." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +That stopped them. They stared at him. He added +quickly, "Supplies came aboard at Marsport. We'll +get the clue when we open them. Headquarters +must have known the method when they assigned +us and ordered the equipment." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa stood up. He was the only one who could +have moved upright against the terrific deceleration. +He walked to a rack at one side of the squadroom +and took down a copy of "The Space Navigator." +Then, resuming his seat, he looked questioningly at +Rip. "Anything else, sir? I thought I'd read what +there is about asteroids." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Go ahead," Rip agreed. He sat back as Koa began +to recite what data there was, but he didn't +listen. His mind was going ten astro units a second. +He thought he knew why he had been chosen for +the job. Word of the priceless asteroid must have<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page051">[pg 051]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +reached headquarters only a short time before he +was scheduled to leave the space platform. He could +imagine the speed with which the specialists at Terra +base had acted. They had sent orders instantly to the +fastest cruiser in the area, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, to stand by +for further instructions. Then their personnel machines +must have whirred rapidly, electronic brains +searching for the nearest available Planeteer officer +with an astrophysics specialty and astrogation training. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He could imagine the reaction when the machine +turned up the name of a brand-new lieutenant. But +the choice was logical enough. He knew that most, +if not all, of the Planeteer astrophysicists were either +in high or low space on special work. Chances are +there was no astrophysicist nearer than Ganymede. +So the choice had fallen to him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He had a mental image of the Terra base scientists +feeding data into the electronic brain, taking the +results, and writing fast orders for the men and supplies +needed. If his estimate was correct, work at +the Planeteer base had been finished within an hour +of the time word was received. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When they opened the cases brought aboard by +the Martians, he would see that the method of blasting +the asteroid into a course for earth was all figured +out for him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was anxious to get at those cases. Not until +he saw the method of operation could he begin to<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page052">[pg 052]</span><a name="Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +figure his course. But there was no possibility of getting +at the stuff until brennschluss. He put the problem +out of his mind and concentrated on what his +men were saying. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"... and he slugged into that asteroid going close +to seven AU's," Santos was saying. The little Filipino +corporal shrugged expressively. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip recognized the story. It was about a supply +ship, a chemical drive rocket job that had blasted +into an asteroid a few years before. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Private Dowst shrugged, too. "Too bad. High +vack was waiting for him. Nothing you can do when +Old Man Nothing wants you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip listened, interested. This was the talk of old +space hands. They had given the high vacuum of +empty space a personality, calling it "high vack," or +"Old Man Nothing." With understandable fatalism, +they believed—or said they believed—that when +high vacuum really wanted you, there was nothing +you could do. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had come across an interesting bit of word +knowledge. Spacemen and Planeteers alike had a +way of using the phrase, "By Gemini!" Gemini, of +course, was the constellation of the Twins, Castor +and Pollux. Both were useful stars for astrogation. +The Roman horse soldiers of ancient history had +sworn, "By Gemini," or "By the Twins." The Romans +believed the stars were the famous Greek warriors +Castor and Pollux, placed in the heavens after<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page053">[pg 053]</span><a name="Pg053" id="Pg053" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +their deaths. In later years, the phrase degenerated +to simply "by jiminy" and its meaning had been +lost. Now, although few spacemen knew the history +of the phrase, they were using it again, correctly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Other space talk grew out of space itself, and not +history. For instance, the worst thing that could happen +to a man was to have his helmet broken. Let the +transparent globe be shattered and the results were +both quick and final. Hence the oft-heard threat, +"I'll bust your bubble." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Speaking of bubbles ... Rip realized suddenly +that he and his men would have to live in bubbles +and space suits while on the asteroid. None of the +minor planets were big enough to have an atmosphere +or much gravity. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +If only he could get a look into those cases! But +the ship was still decelerating and he would have +to wait. He put his head against the chair rest and +settled down to wait as patiently as he could. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Brennschluss was a long time coming. When the +deceleration finally stopped, Rip didn't wait for gravity. +He hauled himself out of the chair and the +squadroom and went down the corridor hand over +hand. He headed straight for where the supplies +were stacked, his Planeteers close behind him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine arrived at the same time. +"We're starting to scan for the asteroid," he greeted +Rip. "May be some time before we find it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Where are we, sir?" Rip asked. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page054">[pg 054]</span><a name="Pg054" id="Pg054" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Just above the asteroid belt near the outer edge. +We're beyond the position where the asteroid was +sighted, moving along what the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Altair</span></span> figured as its +orbit. I'm not stretching space, Foster, when I tell +you we're hunting for a needle in a junk pile. This +part of space is filled with more objects than you +would imagine, and they all register on the rad-screens." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll find it," Rip said confidently. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine nodded. "Yes. But it probably will take +some hunting. Meanwhile, let's get at those cases. +The supply clerk is on his way." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The supply clerk arrived, issued tools to the Planeteers, +then opened a plastic case attached to one +of the boxes and produced lists. As the Planeteers +opened and unpacked the crates, Rip and O'Brine +inspected and the clerk checked the items off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The first case produced a complete chemical cutting +unit with an assortment of cutting tips and +adapters. Rip looked around for the gas cylinders +and saw none. "Something's wrong," he objected. +"Where's the fuel supply for the torch?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The supply clerk inspected the lists, shuffled papers, +and found the answer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The following," he read, "are to be supplied +from the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> complement. One landing boat, +large, model twenty-eight. Eight each, oxygen cutting +unit gas bottles. Four each, chemical cutting +unit fuel tanks." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page055">[pg 055]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's that," Rip said, relieved. Apparently he +was supposed to do a lot of cutting on the asteroid, +probably of the thorium itself. The hot flame of the +torch could melt any known substance. The torch +itself could melt in unskilled hands. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The next case yielded a set of astrogation instruments +carefully cradled in a soft, rubbery plastic. +Rip left them in the case and put them to one side. +As he did so, Sergeant-major Koa let out a whistle +of surprise. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Lieutenant, look at this!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Corporal Santos exclaimed, "Well stonker me for +a stupid space squid! Do they expect us to find any +people on this asteroid?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The object was a portable rocket launcher designed +to fire light attack rockets. It was a standard +item of fighting equipment for Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I recognize the shape of those cases over there, +now," Koa said. "Ten racks of rockets for the launcher, +one rack to a case." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip scratched his head. He was as puzzled as Santos. +Why supply fighting equipment for a crew on +an asteroid that couldn't possibly have any living +thing on it? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He left the puzzle for the future and called for +more cases. The next two yielded projectile type +handguns for ten men, with ammunition, and standard +Planeteer space knives. The space knives had +hidden blades which were driven forth violently<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page056">[pg 056]</span><a name="Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when the operator pushed a thumb lever, releasing +the gas in a cartridge contained in the handle. The +blades snapped forth with enough force to break a +bubble, or to cut through a space suit. They were +designed for the sole purpose of space hand-to-hand +combat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers looked at each other. What were +they up against, that such equipment was needed +on a barren asteroid? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Private Dowst opened a box that contained a complete +tool kit, the tools designed to be handled +by men in space suits. Yards of wire, for several +purposes, were wound on reels. Two hand-driven +dynamos capable of developing great power were +included. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Corporal Pederson found a small case which contained +books, the latest astronomical data sheets, and +a space computer and scratch board. These were +obviously for Rip's personal use. He examined them. +There were all the references he would need for +computing orbit, speed, and just about anything +else that might be required. He had to admire the +thoroughness of whoever had written the order. The +unknown Planeteer had assumed that the space +cruiser would not have all the astrophysics references +necessary and had included a copy of each. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Several large cases remained. Koa ripped the side +from one and let out an exclamation. Rip hurried +over and looked in. His stomach did a quick orbital<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page057">[pg 057]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +reverse. Great Cosmos! The thing was an atomic +bomb! +</p> + +<a name="fig15" id="fig15"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image07.png" width="640" height="982" alt="Illustration: Great Cosmos! It Was An Atomic Bomb!" title="Great Cosmos! It Was An Atomic Bomb!" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">Great Cosmos! It Was An Atomic Bomb!</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine leaned over his shoulder and +peered at the lettering on the cylinder. "Equivalent +ten KT." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In other words, the explosion the harmless-looking +cylinder could produce was equivalent to 10,000 +tons of TNT, a chemical explosive no longer in +actual use but still used for comparison. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip asked huskily, "Any more of those things?" +The importance of the job was becoming increasingly +clear to him. Nuclear explosives were not used +without good reason. The fissionable material was +too valuable for other purposes. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sides came off the remaining cases. Some of +them held fat tubes of conventional rocket fuel in +solid form, the detonators carefully packed separately. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There were three other atomic bombs, making +four in all. There were two bombs each of five KT +and ten KT. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine looked at the amazing assortment +of stuff. "Does that check, clerk?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman nodded. "Yes, sir. I found another +notation that says food supplies and personal equipment +to be supplied by the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Well, vack me for a Venusian rabbit!" O'Brine +muttered. He tugged at his ear. "You could dump +me on that asteroid with this assortment of junk and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page059">[pg 059]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I'd spend the rest of my life there. I don't see how +you can use this stuff to move an asteroid!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Maybe that's why the Federation sent Planeteers," +Rip said, and was sorry the moment the +words were out. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine's jaw muscles bulged, but he held his +temper. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, +Foster. We have to get along until the asteroid is +safely in an orbit around earth. After that, I'm going +to take a great deal of pleasure in feeding you to the +spacefish, piece by piece." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was Rip's turn to get red. "I'm sorry, Commander. +Accept my apologies." He certainly had a +lot to learn about space etiquette. Apparently there +was a time for spacemen and Planeteers to fight each +other, and a time for them to cooperate like friends. +He hoped he'd catch on after a while. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what to do +with this stuff," O'Brine said. "If you need help, let +me know." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And Rip knew his apology was accepted. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The deputy commander arrived, drew O'Brine +aside, and whispered in his ear. The commander let +out an exclamation and started out of the room. At +the door he turned. "Better come along, Foster." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip followed as the commander led the way to +his own quarters. At the door, two space officers were +waiting, their faces grave. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine motioned them to chairs. "All right. Let's<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page060">[pg 060]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The senior space officer held out a sheet of flimsy. +It was pale blue, the color used for highly confidential +documents. "Sir, this came in Space Council +special cipher." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Read it aloud," O'Brine ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir. It's addressed to you, this ship. From Planeteer +Intelligence, Marsport. 'Consops cruiser departed +general direction your area. Agents report +crew <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Altair</span></span> may have leaked data re asteroid. Take +appropriate action.' It's signed 'Williams, SOS, Commanding.'" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip saw the meaning of the message instantly. The +Consolidation of People's Governments of earth, +traditional enemies and rivals of the Federation of +Free Governments, needed radioactive minerals as +badly, or worse, than the Federation. In space it was +first come, first take. They had to find the asteroid +quickly. It was to prevent Consops from knowing of +the asteroid that security measures had been taken. +They hadn't worked, because of loose space chatter +at Marsport. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine issued quick orders. "Now, get this. We +have to work fast. Accelerate fifty percent, same +course. I want two men on each screen. If anything +of the right size shows up, decelerate until we can +get mass and albedo measurements. Snap to it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The space officers started out, but O'Brine stopped +them. "Use one long-range screen for scanning high<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page061">[pg 061]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +space toward Mars. Let me know the minute you +get a blip, because it probably will be that Consops +cruiser. Have the missile ports cleared for action." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's eyes opened. Clear the missile ports? That +meant getting the cruiser in fighting shape, ready +for instant action. "You wouldn't fire on that Consops +cruiser, would you, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine gave him a grim smile. "Certainly not, +Foster. It's against orders to start anything with Consops +cruisers. You know why. The situation is so +tense that a fight between two space ships might +plunge earth into war." His smile got even grimmer. +"But you never know. The Consops ship might fire +first. Or an accident might happen." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The commander leaned forward. "We'll find that +asteroid for you, Mr. Planeteer. We'll put you on it +and see you on your way. Then we'll ride space along +with you, and if any Consops thieves try to take over +and collect that thorium for themselves, they'll find +Kevin O'Brine waiting. That's a promise, boy." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip felt a lot better. He sat back in his chair and +regarded the commander with mixed respect and +something else. Against his will, he was beginning +to like the man. No doubt of it, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> was +well named. And the sting in the scorpion's tail was +O'Brine himself. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page062">[pg 062]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc16" id="toc16"></a> +<a name="pdf17" id="pdf17"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Dive - The Small Gray World</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip rejoined his Planeteers in the supply room +and motioned for them to gather around him. "I +know why Terra base sent us the fighting equipment," +he announced. "They were afraid word of +this thorium asteroid would leak out to Consops—and +it has. A Connie cruiser blasted off from Marsport +and headed this way." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He watched the faces of his men carefully, to see +how they would take the news. They merely looked +at each other and shrugged. Conflict with Consops +was nothing new to them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The freighter that found the asteroid landed at +Marsport, didn't it?" Koa asked. Getting a nod from +Rip, he went on, "Then I know what probably happened. +The two things spacemen can't do are breathe +high vack and keep their mouths shut. Some of the +crew blabbed about the asteroid, probably at the +Space Club. That's where they hang out. The Connies +hang out there, too. Result, we get a Connie +cruiser after the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You hit it," Rip acknowledged. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Corporal Santos shrugged. "If the Connies try to +take the asteroid away, they'll have a real warm time.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page063">[pg 063]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +We have ten racks of rockets, twenty-four to a rack. +That's a lot of snapper-boats we can pick off if they +try to make a landing." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers stopped talking as the voice horn +sounded. "Get it! We are going into no-weight. Prepare +to stay in no-weight indefinitely. Rotation stops +in two minutes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip realized why the order was given. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> +could not maneuver while in a gravity spin and +O'Brine wanted to be free to take action if necessary. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The voice horn came on again. "Now get it again. +The ship may maneuver suddenly. Prepare for acceleration +or deceleration without warning. One minute +to no-weight." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip gave quick orders. "Get lines around the +equipment and prepare to haul it. I'll get landing +boats assigned and we can load. Then prepare space +packs. Lay out suits and bubbles. We want to be +ready the moment we get the word." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Lines were taken from a locker and secured to the +equipment. As the Planeteers worked, the ship's +spinning slowed and stopped. They were in no-weight. +Rip grabbed for a hand cord that hung from +the wall and hauled himself out into the engine control +room. The deputy commander was at his post, +waiting tensely for orders. Rip thrust against a bulkhead +with one foot and floated to his side. "I need +two landing boats, sir," he requested. "One stays on +the asteroid with us." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page064">[pg 064]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Take numbers five and six. I'll assign a pilot to +bring number five back to the ship after you've +landed." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Thank you." Rip would have been surprised at +the deputy's quick assent if Commander O'Brine +hadn't shown him that the spacemen were ready to +do anything possible to aid the Planeteers. He went +back to the supply room and told Koa which boats +were to be used, instructed him to get the supplies +aboard, then made his way to Commander O'Brine's +office. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine was not in. Rip searched and found him +in the astro-plot room, watching a 'scope. Green +streaks called "blips" marked the panel, each one +indicating an asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All too small," O'Brine said. "We've only seen +two large ones, and they were too large." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Space is certainly full of junk," Rip commented. +"At least this corner of it is full." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A junior space officer overheard him. "This is +nothing. We're on the edge of the asteroid belt. +Closer to the middle, there's so much stuff a ship +has to crawl through it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip wandered over to the main control desk. A +senior space officer was seated before a simple panel +on which there were only a dozen small levers, a +visiphone, and a radar screen. The screen was circular, +with numbers around the rim like those on +an earth-clock. In the center of the screen was a tiny<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page065">[pg 065]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +circle. The central circle represented the Scorpius. +The rest of the screen was the area dead ahead. Rip +watched and saw several blips on it that indicated +asteroids. They were all small. He watched, interested, +as the cruiser overtook them. Once, according +to the screen, the cruiser passed under an asteroid +with a clearance of only a few hundred feet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You didn't miss that one by much," Rip told the +space officer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Don't have to miss by much," he retorted. "A +few feet are as good as a mile in space. Our blast +might kick them around a little, and maybe there's +a little mutual mass attraction, but we don't worry +about it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pointed to a blip that was just swimming into +view, a sharp green point against the screen. "We +do have to worry about that one." He selected a +lever and pulled it toward him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip felt sudden weight against his feet. The green +point on the screen moved downward below center. +The feeling of weight ceased. He knew what had +happened, of course. Around the hull of the ship, +set in evenly spaced lines, were a series of blast holes +through which steam was fired. The steam was produced +instantly by running water through the heat +coils of the nuclear engine. By using groups or combinations +of steam tubes, the control officer could +move the ship in any direction or set it rolling, spin +it end over end or whirl it in an eccentric pattern. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page066">[pg 066]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How do you decide which tubes to use?" Rip +asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Depends on what's happening. If we were ducking +missiles from an enemy, I'd get orders from the +commander. But to duck asteroids, there's no problem. +I go over them by firing the steam tubes along +the bottom of the ship. That way, you feel the acceleration +on your feet. If I fired the top tubes the ship +would drop out from under those who were standing. +They'd all end up on the ceiling." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched for a while longer, then wandered +back to Commander O'Brine. He was getting anxious. +At first, the task of capturing an asteroid and +moving it back to earth had been rather unreal, like +some of the problems he had worked out while training +on the space platform. Now he was no longer +calm about it. He had faith in the Terra base Planeteer +specialists, but they couldn't figure everything +out for him. Most of the problems of getting the +asteroid back to earth would have to be solved by +Lieutenant Richard Ingalls Peter Foster. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A junior space officer suddenly called, "Sir, I have +a reading at two seventy degrees, twenty-three degrees +eight minutes high." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine jumped up so fast that the +action shot him to the ceiling. He kicked down again +and leaned over the officer's 'scope. Rip got there by +pulling himself right across the top of the chart table. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The green point of light on the 'scope was bigger<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page067">[pg 067]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +than any other he had seen. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's about the right size," O'Brine said. There +was excitement in his voice. "Correct course. Let's +take a look at it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +All hands gripped something with which to steady +themselves as the cruiser spun swiftly onto the new +course. The control officer called, "I have it centered, +sir. We'll reach it in about an hour at this +speed." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Jack it up," O'Brine ordered. "Heave some neutrons +into it. Double speed, then decelerate to reach +it in thirty minutes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The control officer issued orders to the engine +control room. In a moment acceleration plucked at +them. O'Brine motioned to Rip. "Come on, Foster. +Let's see what Analysis makes of this rock." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip followed the commander to the deck below +where the technical analysts were located. His heart +was pounding a little faster than usual, and not from +acceleration, either. He found himself wetting his +lips frequently and thought, "Get hold of it, boy. +You got nothing to worry about but high vacuum." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He didn't really believe it. There would be plenty +to worry about. Like detonating nuclear bombs and +trying to figure their blast reaction. Like figuring +out the course that would take them closest to the +sun without pulling them into it. Like a thousand +things—all of them up to him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The chief analyst greeted them. "We got the orders<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page068">[pg 068]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to change course, Commander. That gave us +the location of the asteroid. We're already working +on it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Anything yet?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No, sir. We'll have the albedo measurement in a +few minutes. It will take longer to figure the mass." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid's efficiency in reflecting sunlight was +its albedo. The efficiency depended on the material +of which it was made. The albedo of pure metallic +thorium was known. If the asteroid's albedo matched +it, that would be one piece of evidence. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the same way, the mass of thorium was known. +The measurements of the asteroid were being taken. +They would be compared with a chunk of thorium +of the same size. If it worked out, that would be +evidence enough. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine motioned to chairs. "Might +as well sit down while we're waiting, Foster." He +took one of the chairs and looked closely at Rip. Suddenly +he grinned. "I thought Planeteers never got +nervous." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Who's nervous?" Rip retorted, then answered his +own question truthfully. "I am. You're right, sir. +The closer we get, the more scared I get." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's a good sign," O'Brine replied. "It means +you'll be careful. Got any real doubts about the job?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip thought it over and didn't think so. "Not any +real ones. I think we can do it. But I'm nervous +just the same. Great Cosmos, Commander! This is<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page069">[pg 069]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +my first assignment, and they give me a whole world +to myself and tell me to bring it home. Maybe it +isn't a very big world, but that doesn't change things +much." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine chuckled. "I never expected to get an +admission like that from a Planeteer." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"And I," Rip retorted, "never expected to make +one like that to a spaceman." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The chief analyst returned, a sheet of computations +in his hand. "Report, sir. The albedo measurement +is correct. Looks like this may be the one." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How long before we get the measurements and +comparisons?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ten minutes, perhaps." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip spoke up. "Sir, there's some data I'll need." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"What, Lieutenant?" The chief analyst pulled a +notebook from his pocket. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll need all possible data on the asteroid's speed, +orbit, and physical measurements. I have to figure +a new orbit and what it will take to blast the mass +into it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll get those. The orbit will not be exact, of +course. We have only two reference points. But I +think we'll come pretty close." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine nodded. "Do what you can, Chief. And +when Foster gets down to doing his calculations, +have your men run them through the electronic +computer for him." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip thanked them both, then stood up. "Sir, I'm<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page070">[pg 070]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +going back to my men. I want to be sure everything +is ready. If there's a Connie cruiser headed this way, +we don't want to lose any time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good idea. I think we'll dump you on the asteroid, +Foster, and then blast off. Not too far, of course. +Just enough to lead the Connie away from you if +its screen picks us up." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +That sounded good to Rip. "We'll be ready when +you are, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The chief analyst took less than the estimated ten +minutes for his next set of figures. Commander +O'Brine called personally while Rip was still searching +for the right landing boat ports. The voice horn +bellowed, "Get it! Lieutenant Foster. The mass +measurements are correct. This is your asteroid. Estimated +twelve minutes before we reach it. Your +data will be ready by the time you get back here. +Show an exhaust!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip found Koa and the men and asked the sergeant-major +for a report. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We're ready, sir," Koa told him. "We can get out +in three minutes. It will take us that long to get into +space gear. Your stuff is laid out, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get me the books and charts from the supplies," +Rip directed. "Have Santos bring them to the chief +analyst. I'm going back and figure our course. No +use doing it the hard way on the asteroid when I can +do it in a few minutes here with the ship's computer." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page071">[pg 071]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He turned and hurried back, hauling himself +along by handholds. The ship had stopped acceleration +and was at no-weight again. As he neared the +analysis section it went into deceleration, but the +pressure was not too bad. He made his way against +it easily. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The chief analyst was waiting for him. "We have +everything you need, Lieutenant, except the orbital +stuff. We'll do the best we can on that and have a +good estimate in a few minutes. Meanwhile, you can +mark up your figures. Incidentally, what power are +you going to use to move the asteroid?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Nuclear explosions," Rip said, and saw the chief's +eyes pop. He added, "With conventional chemical +fuel for corrections." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He felt rising excitement. The whole ship seemed +to have come to life. There was excited tension in +the computer room when he went in with the chief. +Spacemen, all mathematicians, were waiting for him. +As the chief led him to a table, they gathered around +him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip took command. "Here's what we're after. I +need to plot an orbit that will get us out of the +asteroid belt without any collisions, take us as close +to the sun as possible without having it capture us, +and land us in space about ten thousand miles from +earth. From then on I'll throw the asteroid into a +braking ellipse around the earth and I'll be able to +make any small corrections necessary." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page072">[pg 072]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He spread out a solar system chart and marked in +the positions of the planets as of that moment, using +the daily almanac. Then he put down the position +of the asteroid, taking it from the paper the chief +analyst handed him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Will you make assignments, Chief?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The chief shook his head. "Make them yourself, +Lieutenant. We're at your service." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip felt a little ashamed of some of the unkind +things he had said about spacemen. "Thank you." +He pointed to a spaceman. "Will you calculate the +inertia of the asteroid, please?" The spaceman hurried +off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"First thing to do is plot the orbit as though there +were no other bodies in the system," Rip said. +"Where's Santos?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Here, sir." The corporal had come in unnoticed +with Rip's reference books. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had plotted orbits before, but never one for +actual use. His palms were wet as he laid it out, using +prepared tables. When he had finished he pointed +to a spaceman. "That's it. Will you translate it into +analogue figures for the computer, please?" He assigned +to others the task of figuring out the effect +Mercury, the sun, and earth would have on the orbit, +using an assumed speed for the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +To the chief analyst he gave the job of putting +all the data together in proper form for feeding to +the electronic brain. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page073">[pg 073]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It would have taken all spacemen present about +ten days to complete the job by regular methods, but +the electronic computer produced the answer in +three minutes. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Thanks a million, Chief," Rip said. "I'll be calling +on you again before this is over." He tucked +the sheets into his pocket. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Any time, Lieutenant. We'll keep rechecking the +figures as we go along. If there are any corrections, +we'll send them to you. That will give you a check +on your own figures." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Don't worry," Rip assured him. "We'll have +plenty of corrections." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Deceleration had been dropping steadily. It ceased +altogether, leaving them weightless. O'Brine's voice +came over the speaker. "Get it! Valve crews take +stations at landing boats five and six. The Planeteers +will depart in five minutes. Lieutenant Foster will +report to central control if he cannot be ready in +that time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos grinned at Rip. "Here we go, Lieutenant." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's heart would have dropped into his shoes if +there had been any gravity. Only a little excitement +showed on his face, though. He waved his thanks at +the analysts and grinned back at Santos. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Show an exhaust, Corporal. High vack is waiting!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page074">[pg 074]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc18" id="toc18"></a> +<a name="pdf19" id="pdf19"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Six - Rip's Personal Planet</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip rechecked his space suit before putting on his +helmet. The air seal was intact and his heating +and ventilating units worked. He slapped his knee +pouches to make sure the space knife was handy to +his left hand and the pistol to his right. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa was already fully dressed. He handed Rip the +shoulder case that contained the plotting board. +Santos had taken charge of Rip's astrogation instruments. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A spaceman was waiting with Rip's bubble. At +a nod, the spaceman slipped it on his head. Rip +reached up and gave it a quarter turn. The locking +mechanism clamped into place. He turned his belt +ventilator control on full and the space suit puffed +out. When it was fully inflated he watched the pressure +gauge. It was steady. No leaks in suit or helmet. +He let the pressure go down to normal. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa's voice buzzed in his ears. "Hear me, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned the volume of his communicator down +a little and spoke in a normal voice. "I hear you. +Am I clear?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir. All men dressed and ready." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip made a final check. He counted his men, then<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page075">[pg 075]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +personally inspected their suits. The boats were +next. They were typical landing craft, shaped like +rectangular boxes. There was no need for streamlining +in the vacuum of space. They were not pressurized. +Only men in space suits rode in the ungainly +boxes. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He checked all blast tubes to make sure they were +clear. There were small single tubes on each side of +the craft. A clogged one could explode and blow the +boat up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa, he knew, had checked everything, but the +final responsibility was his. In space, no officer or +sergeant took anyone's word for anything that might +mean lives. Each checked every detail personally. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked around and saw the Planeteers watching +him. There was approval on the faces behind +the clear helmets, and he knew they were satisfied +with his thoroughness. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +At last, certain that everything was in good order, +he said quietly, "Pilots, man your boats." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst got into one and a spaceman into the other. +Dowst's boat would stay with them on the asteroid. +The spaceman would bring the other to the ship. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine stepped through the valve +into the boat lock. A spaceman handed him a hand +communicator. He spoke into it. Rip couldn't have +heard him through the helmet otherwise. "All set, +Foster?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ready, sir." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page076">[pg 076]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good. The long-range screen picked up a blip a +few minutes ago. It's probably that Connie cruiser." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip swallowed. The Planeteers froze, waiting for +the commander's next words. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Our screens are a little better than theirs, so +there's a slim chance they haven't picked us up yet. +We'll drop you and get out of here. But don't +worry. We have your orbit fixed and we'll find you +when the screens are clear." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Suppose they find us while you're gone?" Rip +asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's a chance," O'Brine admitted. "You'll have to +take spaceman's luck on that one. But we won't be +far away. We'll duck behind Vesta or another of the +big asteroids and hide so their screens won't pick up +our motion. Every now and then we'll sneak out for +a look, if the screen seems clear. If those high-vack +vermin do find you, get on the landing boat radio +and yell for help. We'll come blasting." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He waved a hand, thumb and forefinger held together +in the ancient symbol for "everything right," +then ordered, "Get flaming." He stepped through +the valve. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Clear the lock," Rip ordered. "Open outer valve +when ready." +</p> + +<a name="fig20" id="fig20"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image08.png" width="640" height="962" alt="Illustration: "Get Flaming, Foster!"" title=""Get Flaming, Foster!"" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"Get Flaming, Foster!"</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took a quick final look around. The pilots +were in the boats. His Planeteers were standing by, +safety lines already attached to the boats and their +belts. He moved into position and snapped his own<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page078">[pg 078]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +line to a ring on Dowst's boat. The spacemen vanished +through the valve and the massive door slid +closed. The overhead lights flicked out. Rip snapped +on his belt light and the others followed suit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In front of the boxlike landing boats a great door +slid open and air from the lock rushed out. Rip +knew it was only imagination, but he felt for a +moment as though the bitter cold of space, near +absolute zero, had penetrated his suit. Beyond the +lights from their belts he saw stars, and recognized +the constellation for which the space cruiser was +named. A superstitious spaceman would have taken +that as a good sign. Rip admitted that it was nice +to see. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Float 'em," he ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers gripped handholds at the entrance +with one hand and launching rails on the boats with +the other and heaved. The boats slid into space. As +the safety lines tightened, the Planeteers were pulled +after the boat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip left his feet with a little spring and shot +through the door. Directly below him the asteroid +gleamed darkly in the light of the tiny sun. His first +reaction was, "Great Cosmos! What a little chunk +of rock!" But that was because he was used to looking +from the space platform at the great curve of +Terra or at the big ball of the moon. Actually the +asteroid was fair-sized when compared with most of +its kind. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page079">[pg 079]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers hauled themselves into the boats +by their safety lines. Rip waited until all were in, +then pulled himself along his own line to the black +square o£ the door. Koa was waiting to give him a +hand into the craft. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were standing, except for Dowst. +Rip had never seen an old-type railroad or he might +have likened the landing boat to a railroad box car. +It was about the same size and shape, but it had huge +"windows" on both sides and in front of the pilot—windows +that were not enclosed. The space-suited +men needed no protection. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Blast," Rip ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A pulse of fire spurted from the top of each boat, +driving them bottom-first toward the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Land at will," Rip said. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid loomed large as he looked through +an opening. It was rocky, but there were plenty of +smooth places. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst picked one. He was an expert pilot and Rip +watched him with pleasure. The exhaust from the +top lessened and fire spurted soundlessly from the +bottom. Dowst balanced the opposite thrusts of the +top and bottom blasts with the delicacy of a man +threading a needle. In a few moments the boat was +hovering a foot above the asteroid. Dowst cut the +exhausts and Rip stepped out onto the tiny planet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers knew what to do. Corporal Pederson +produced hardened steel spikes with ring tops.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page080">[pg 080]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Private Trudeau had a sledge. Driving the first spike +would be the hardest, because the action of swinging +the hammer would propel the Planeteer like a rocket +exhaust. In space, the law that every action has an +equal and opposite reaction had to be remembered +every moment. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched, interested in how his men would +tackle the problem. He didn't know the answer himself, +because he had never driven a spike on an airless, +almost gravityless world and no one had ever +mentioned it to him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Pederson searched the gray metal with his torch +and found a slender spur of thorium perhaps two +feet high a short distance from the boat. "Here's a +hold," he said. "Come on, Frenchy. You, too, Bradshaw." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Trudeau, carrying the sledge, walked up to the +spur of rock and stood with his heels against it. +Pederson sat down on the ground with the spur +between his legs. He stretched, hooking his heels +around Trudeau's ankles, anchoring him. With his +gloves he grabbed the seat of the Frenchman's space +suit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Bradshaw took a spike and held it against the gray +metal ground. The Frenchman swung, his hammer +noiseless as it drove the tough spike in. A few inches +into the metal was enough. Bradshaw took a wrench +from his belt, put it on the head of the spike and +turned it. Below the surface, teeth on the spike bit<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page081">[pg 081]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +into the metal. It would hold. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The rest was easy. The spike was used to anchor +Trudeau while he drove another, at his longest +reach. Then the second spike became his anchor, and +so on, until enough spikes had been set to lace the +boat down against any sudden shock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The boat piloted by the spaceman was tied to the +one that would remain and the Planeteers floated its +supplies through a window. It took only a few moments, +with Planeteers forming a chain from inside +the boat to a spot a little distance away. Even the +heaviest crates weighed almost nothing. They passed +them from one to the other like balloons. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All clear, sir," Koa called. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stepped inside and made a quick inspection. +The box was empty except for the spaceman pilot. +He put a hand on the pilot's shoulder. "On your +way, Rocky. Thanks." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You're welcome, sir." The pilot added, "Watch +out for high vack." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and Koa stepped out and walked a little distance +away. Santos and Pederson cast the landing +boat adrift and shoved it away from the anchored +boat. In a moment fire spurted from the bottom +tube, spreading over the dull metal and licking at +the feet of the Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched the boat rise upward to the great, +sleek, dark bulk of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. The landing boat +maneuvered into the air lock with brief flares from<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page082">[pg 082]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +its exhausts. In a few moments the sparkling blast of +auxiliary rocket tubes moved the spaceship away. +O'Brine was putting a little distance between his +ship and the asteroid before turning on the nuclear +drive. The ship decreased in size until Rip saw it +only as a dark, oval silhouette against the Milky +Way, then the exhaust of the nuclear drive grew +into a mighty column of glowing blue and the ship +flamed into space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For a moment Rip had a wild impulse to yell for +the ship to come back. He had been in vacuum before, +but only as a cadet, with an officer in charge. +Now, suddenly, he was the one responsible. The job +was his. He stiffened. Planeteer officers didn't worry +about things like that. He forced his mind to the +job in hand. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The next step was to establish a base. The base +would have to be on the dark side of the asteroid, +once it was in its new orbit. That meant a temporary +base now and a better one later, when they had +blasted the little planet onto its new course. He +estimated roughly the approximate positions where +he would place his charges, using the sun and the +star Canopus as visual guides. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This will do for a temporary base," he announced. +"Rig the boat compartment. While two of +you are doing that, the rest break out the rocket +launcher and rocket racks and assemble the cutting +torch. Koa will make assignments." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page083">[pg 083]</span><a name="Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +While the sergeant-major translated Rip's general +instructions into specific orders for each man, the +young lieutenant walked to the edge of the sun belt. +There was no atmosphere, so the edge was a sharp +line between dark and light. There wasn't much +light, either. They were too far from the sun for that. +But as they neared the sun, the darkness would be +their protection. They would get so close to Sol that +the metal on the sun side would get soft as butter. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He bent close to the uneven surface. It was clean +metal, not oxidized at all. The thorium had never +been exposed to oxygen. Here and there, pyramids +of metal thrust up from the asteroid, sometimes singly, +sometimes in clusters. They were metal crystal +formations. He guessed that once, long ages ago, the +asteroid had been a part of something much bigger, +perhaps a planet. One theory said the asteroids were +formed when a planet exploded. This asteroid might +have been a pocket of pure thorium in the planet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There would be plenty to do in a short while, but +meanwhile he enjoyed the sensation of being on a +tiny world in space with only a handful of Planeteers +for company. He smiled. "King Foster," he said to +himself. "Monarch of a thorium space speck." It +was a rather nice feeling, even though he laughed +at himself for thinking it. Since he was in command +of the detachment, he could in all truth say this was +his own personal planet. It would be a good bit of +space humor to spring on the folks back on Terra. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page084">[pg 084]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yep, I was boss of a whole world, once. Made +myself king. Emperor of all the metal molecules +and king of the thorium spurs. And my subjects +obeyed my every command." He added, "Thanks to +Planeteer discipline. The detachment commander +is boss." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reminded himself that he'd better stop gathering +spacedust and start acting like a detachment +commander. He walked back to the landing boat, +stepping with care. With such low gravity a false +step could send him high above the asteroid. Of +course that would not be dangerous, since the space +suits were equipped with six small compressed air +bottles for emergency propulsion. But it would be +embarrassing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Inside the boat, Dowst and Nunez were setting up +the compartment. Sections of the rear wall swung +out and locked into place against airtight seals, forming +a box at the rear end of the boat. Equipment +sealed in the stern next to the rocket tube supplied +light, heat, and air. It was a simple but necessary +arrangement. Without it, the Planeteers could not +have eaten. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was no air lock for the compartment. The +half of the detachment not on duty would walk in, +seal it up, turn on the equipment, and wait until the +gauges registered sufficient air and heat, then remove +their space suits. When it was time to leave again, +they would don suits, open the door and walk out,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page085">[pg 085]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and the next shift would enter and repeat the process. +Earlier models had permanent compartments, +but they took up too much room in craft designed +for carrying as many men and as much equipment +as possible. They were strictly work boats, and hard +experience had showed the best design. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The rocket launcher was already set up near the +boat. It was a simple affair, with four adjustable legs +bolted to ground spikes. The legs held a movable +cradle in which the rocket racks were placed. High-geared +hand controls enabled the gunner to swing +the cradle at high speed in any direction except +straight down. A simple, illuminated optical sight +was all the gunner needed. Since there was no gravity +and no atmosphere in space, the missiles flashed out +in a straight line, continuing on into infinity if they +missed their targets. Proximity fuses made this a +remote possibility. If the rocket got anywhere near +the target, the shell would explode. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip found his astrogation instruments set carefully +to one side. He took the data sheets from his +case and examined them. Now came the work of +finding the exact spots in which to place his atomic +charges. Since the computer aboard ship had done +all the mathematics necessary, he needed only to take +sights to determine the precise positions. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took a transit-like instrument from the case, +pulled out the legs of its self-contained tripod, then +carried it to a spot near where he had estimated the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page086">[pg 086]</span><a name="Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +first charge would be placed. The instrument was +equipped with three movable rings to be set for the +celestial equator, for the zero meridian, and for the +right ascension of any convenient star. Using a regular +level would have been much simpler. The +instrument had one, but with so little gravity to +activate it, the thing was useless. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sights were specially designed for use in space +and his bubble was no obstacle in taking observations. +He merely put the clear plastic against the +curved sight and looked into it much as he would +have looked through a telescope on earth. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As he did so, a hint of pale pink light caught the +corner of his eye. He backed away from the instrument +and turned his head quickly, looking at the +colorimeter-type radiation detector at the side of his +helmet. It was glowing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +An icy chill sent a shiver through him. Great, gorgeous +galaxies! He had forgotten ... had Koa and +the others? He turned so fast he lost balance and +floated above the surface like a captive balloon. Santos, +who had been standing near by to help if requested, +hooked a toe on a ground spike, caught him, +and set him upright on the ground again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get me the radiation detection instruments," he +ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa sensed the urgency in his voice and got the +instruments himself. Rip switched them on and read +the illuminated dial on the alpha counter. Plenty<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page087">[pg 087]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +high, as was natural. But no danger there—alpha +particles couldn't penetrate the space suits. Then, +his hand clammy inside the space glove, he switched +on the other meter. The gamma count was far below +the alpha, but there were too many of the rays +around for comfort. Inside the helmet, his face +turned pale. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was no immediate danger. It would take +many days to build up a dose of gamma that could +hurt them. But gamma was not the only radiation. +They were in space, fully exposed to equally dangerous +cosmic radiation. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers had gathered while he read the +instruments. Now they stood watching him. They +knew the significance of what he had found. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I ought to be busted to recruit," he told them. +"I knew this asteroid was thorium, and that thorium +is radioactive. If I had used my head, I would have +added nuclite shielding to the list of supplies the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> provided. We could have had enough of it +to protect us while around our base, even if we +couldn't be protected while working on the charges. +That would at least have kept our dosage down +enough for safety." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No one else thought of it, either, sir," Koa reminded. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It was my job to think of it, and I didn't. So I've +put us in a time squeeze. If the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> gets back +soon, we can get the shielding before our radiation<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page088">[pg 088]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +dosage has built up very high. If the ship doesn't +come back, the dosage will mount." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He looked at them grimly. "It won't kill us, and +it won't even make us very sick. I'll have the ship +take us off before we build up that much dosage." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos started. "But, sir! That means ..." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I know what it means," Rip stated bitterly. "It +means the ship has got to return in time to give us +some nuclite shielding, or we'll be the laughingstock +of the Special Order Squadrons—the detachment +that started a job the spacemen had to finish!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc21" id="toc21"></a> +<a name="pdf22" id="pdf22"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page089">[pg 089]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Seven - Earthbound!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was something else that Rip didn't add, +although he knew the Planeteers would realize it in +a few minutes. Probably some of them already had +thought of it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +To move the asteroid into a new orbit, they were +going to fire nuclear bombs. Most of the highly +radioactive fission products would be blown into +space, but some would be drawn back by the asteroid's +slight gravity. The craters would be highly +radioactive and some radioactive debris would be +scattered around, too. Every particle would add to +the problem. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Is there anything we can do, sir?" Koa asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shook his head inside the transparent bubble. +"If you have a good luck charm in your pocket, you +might talk to it. That's about all." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nuclear physics had been part of his training. He +read the gamma meter again and did some quick +mental calculations. They would be exposed to radiation +for the entire trip, at a daily dosage of— +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa interrupted his train of thought. Evidently +the sergeant-major had been doing some calculations +of his own. "How long will we be on this rock, sir?<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090">[pg 090]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +You've never told us how long the trip will take." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip said quietly, "With luck, it will take us a +little more than three weeks." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He could see their faces faintly in the dim +sunlight. They were shocked. Space ships blasted +through space between the inner planets in a matter +of hours. The nuclear drive cruisers, which could +approach almost half the speed of light, had brought +even distant Pluto within easy reach. The inner +planets could be covered in a matter of minutes on +a straight speed run, although to take off from one +and land on the other meant considerable time used +in acceleration and deceleration. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were used to such speed. Hearing +that it would take over three weeks to reach earth +had jarred them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This piece of metal isn't a space ship," Rip reminded +them. "At the moment, our speed around +the sun is just slightly more than ten miles a second. +If we just shifted orbits and kept the same speed, it +would take us months to reach Terra. But we'll use +two bombs to kick the asteroid into the orbit, then +fire one to increase speed. The estimate is that we'll +push up to about forty miles a second." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa spoke up. "That's not bad when you think +that Mercury is the fastest planet and it only makes +about thirty miles a second." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Right," Rip agreed. "And when we really have +the sun's gravity pulling us, we'll increase speed.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091">[pg 091]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +We'll lose a little after we pass the sun, but by then +we'll be almost home." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was just space luck that Terra was on the other +side of the sun from the asteroid's present position. +By the time they approached, it would be in a good +place, just far enough from the line to the sun to +avoid changing course. Of course Rip's planned orbit +was not aiming the asteroid at earth, but at where +earth would be at the end of the trip. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That means more than three weeks of radiation, +then," Corporal Santos observed. "Can we take it, +sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shrugged, but the gesture couldn't be seen +inside his space suit. "At the rate we're getting radiation +now, plus what I estimate we'll get from the +nuclear explosions, we'll get the maximum safety +limit in just three weeks. That leaves us no margin, +even if we risk getting radiation sickness. So we have +to get shielding pretty soon. If we do, we can last +the trip." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Private Dominico saluted, clumsy in his space suit. +"Sir, I ask permission to speak." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hid a smile at the little Italian's formal manner. +In space, formality was forgotten. "What is it, +Dominico?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, I think we not worry so much about this +radiation, eh? You will think of some ways to take +care of it, sir. What I want to ask, sir, is when do +we let go the bombs? Radiation I do not know much<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page092">[pg 092]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +about, but I can set those bombs like you want +them." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was touched by the Italian Planeteer's faith +in his ability to solve the radiation problem. That +was why being an officer in the Special Order Squadrons +was so challenging. The men knew the kind of +training their officers had and they expected them +to come up with technical solutions as the situation +required. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You'll have a chance to set the bombs in just a +short while," he said crisply. "Let's get busy. Koa, +load all bombs but one ten KT on the landing boat. +Stake the rest of the equipment down. While you're +doing that, I'll find the spots where we plant the +charges. I'll need two men now and more later." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He went back to his instrument, putting the radiation +problem out of his mind—a rather hard thing +to do with the colorimeter glowing pink next to his +shoulder. Koa detailed men to load the nuclear +bombs into the landing craft, left Pederson to supervise, +and then brought Santos with him to help Rip. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The bombs are being put on the boat, sir," Koa +reported. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine. There isn't too much chance of the blasts +setting them off, but we'll take no chances at all. +Koa, I'm going to shoot a line straight out toward +Alpha Centauri. You walk that way and turn on +your belt light. I'll tell you which way to move." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He adjusted his sighting rings while the sergeant-major<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093">[pg 093]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +glided away. Moving around on a no-weight +world was more like skating than walking. A regular +walk would have lifted Koa into space with every +step. Of course the asteroid had some gravity, but it +was so slight that it didn't count. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip centered the top of the instrument's vertical +hair line on Alpha Centauri, then waited until Koa +was almost out of sight over the asteroid's horizon, +which was only a few hundred yards away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He turned up the volume on his helmet communicator. +"Koa, move about ten feet to your left." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa did so. Rip sighted past the vertical hairline +at the belt light. "That's a little too far. Take a +small step to the right. Good ... just a few inches +more ... hold it. You're right in position. Stand +where you are." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned to Santos. "Stand here, Corporal. Take +a sight at Koa through the instrument to get your +bearings, then hold position." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos did so. Now the two lights gave Rip one +of the lines he needed. He called for two more men, +and Trudeau and Nunez joined him. "Follow me," +he directed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip picked up the instrument and carried it to +a point 90 degrees from the line represented by Koa +and Santos. He put the instrument down and zeroed +it on Messier 44, the Beehive star cluster in the constellation +Cancer. For the second sighting star he<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page094">[pg 094]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +chose Beta Pyxis as being closest to the line he wanted, +made the slight adjustments necessary to set the +line of sight since Pyxis wasn't exactly on it, then +directed Trudeau into position as he had Koa. Nunez +took position behind the instrument and Rip had +the cross-fix he wanted. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He called for Dowst, then carried the instrument +to the center of the cross formed by the four men. +Using the instrument, he rechecked the lines from +the center out. They were within a hair or two of +being exactly on, and a slight error wouldn't hurt +anyway. He knew he would have to correct with +rocket blasts once the asteroid was in the new orbit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"X marks the spot," he told Dowst. He put his toe +on the place where the cross lines met. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst took a spike from his belt and made an X +in the metal ground. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All set," Rip announced. "You four men can +move now. Let's have the cutting equipment over +here, Koa." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were all waiting for instructions +now. In a few moments the equipment was ready, +fuel and oxygen bottles attached. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Who's the champion torchman?" Rip asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa replied, "Kemp is, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp, one of the two American privates, took the +torch and waited for orders. "We need a hole six feet +across and twenty feet deep," Rip told him. "Go +to it." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page095">[pg 095]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How about direction, sir?" Kemp asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Straight down. We'll take a bearing on an overhead +star when you're in a few feet." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst inscribed a circle around the X he had +made and stood back. Kemp pushed the striker button +and the torch flared. "Watch your eyes," he +warned. The Planeteers reached for belt controls +and turned the rheostats that darkened the clear bubbles +electronically. Kemp adjusted his flame until it +was blue-white, a knife of fire brighter by far than +the sun. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa stepped behind Kemp and leaned against his +back, because the flame of the torch was like an +exhaust, driving Kemp backward. Kemp bent down +and the torch sliced into the metal of the asteroid +like a hot knife into ice. The metal splintered a little +as the heat raised it instantly from almost absolute +zero to many thousands of degrees. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When the circle was completed, Kemp adjusted +his torch again and the flame lengthened. He moved +inside the circle and cut at an angle toward the +perimeter. His control was quick and certain. In a +moment he stood aside and Koa lifted out a perfect +ring of thorium. It varied from a knife edge on the +inner side to 18 inches thick on the outer edge. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the middle of the circle there was now a cone +of metal. Kemp cut around it, the torch angling +toward the center. A piece shaped like two cones +set base to base came free. Since the metal cooled in<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page096">[pg 096]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the bitter chill of space almost as fast as Kemp could +cut it, there was no heat to worry about. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Alternately cutting from the outside and the center +of the hole, Kemp worked his way downward +until his head was below ground level. Rip called +a halt. Kemp gave a little jump and floated straight +upward. Koa caught him and swung him to one side. +Rip stepped into the hole and Santos gave him a +slight push to send him to the bottom. Rip knelt +and sighted upward. Kemp had done a good job. +The star Rip had chosen as an overhead guide was +straight up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He bounced out of the hole and as Koa caught +him he told Kemp to go ahead. "Dominico, here's +your chance. Get tools and wire. Find a timer and +connect up the ten kiloton bomb. Nunez, bring it +here while Dominico gets what he needs." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp was burning his way into the asteroid at a +good rate. Every few moments he pushed another +circle or spindle of thorium out of the hole. Rip +directed some of the men to carry them away, to the +other side of the asteroid. He didn't want chunks of +thorium flying around from the blast. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sergeant-major had a sudden thought. He cut +off his communicator, motioned to Rip to do the +same, then put his helmet against Rip's for direct +communication. He didn't want the others to hear +what he had to say. His voice came like a roar from, +the bottom of a well. "Lieutenant, do you suppose<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page097">[pg 097]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +there's any chance the blast might break up the +asteroid? Maybe split it in two?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The same thought had occurred to Rip on the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. His calculations had showed that the metal +would do little more than compress, except where it +melted from the terrific heat of the bomb. That +would be only in and around the shaft. He was sure +the men at Terra base had figured it out before they +decided that A-bombs would be necessary to throw +the asteroid into a new orbit. He wasn't worried. +Cracks in the asteroid would be dangerous, but he +hadn't seen any. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This rock will take more nuclear blasts than we +have," he assured Koa. He turned his communicator +back on and went to the edge of the hole for a look +at Kemp's progress. He was far down, now. Pederson +was holding one end of a measuring tape. The other +end was fastened to Kemp's shoulder strap. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Swedish corporal showed Rip that he had +only about eight feet of tape left. Kemp was almost +down. Rip called, "Kemp. When you reach bottom, +cut toward the center. Leave an inverted cone." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Got it, sir. Be up in two more cuts." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico had connected cable to the bomb terminals +and was attaching a timer to the other end. +Without the wooden case, the bomb was like a fat, +oversized can. It had been shipped without a combat +casing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Koa, make a final check. You can untie the landing<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page098">[pg 098]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +boat, except for one line. We'll be taking off in +a few minutes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Right, sir." Koa glided toward the landing boat, +which was out of sight over the horizon. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was nearly time. Rip had a moment's misgiving. +Had his figures or his sightings been off? His red hair +prickled at the thought. But the ship's computer had +done the work, and it was not capable of making a +mistake. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp tossed up the last section of thorium and +then came out of the hole himself, carrying his torch. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip inspected the hole, saw with satisfaction it +was in almost perfect alignment, and ordered the +bomb placed. He bent over the edge of the hole and +watched Trudeau pay out wire while Dominico +pushed the bomb to the bottom. The Italian made +a last minute check, then called to Rip. "Ready, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He dropped into the hole and inspected the connections +himself, then personally pulled the safety +lever. The bomb was armed. When the timer acted, +it would go off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Back at ground level, he turned up his communicator. +"Koa, is everything ready at the boat?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ready, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers had already carried away the torch +and its fuel and oxygen supplies. The area was clear +of pieces of thorium. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip announced, "We're setting the explosion for +ten minutes." He leaned over the timer, which rested<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page099">[pg 099]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +near the lip of the hole, took the dial control in his +glove and turned it to position ten. He held it long +enough to glance at his chronometer and say, "Starting +now!" Then he let it go. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Wasting no time, but not hurrying, he and Dominico +returned to the landing boat. The Planeteers +were already aboard, except for Koa, who stood by +to cast off the remaining tie line. Rip stepped inside +and counted the men. All present. He ordered, "Cast +off." As Koa did so and stepped aboard, he added, +"Pilot, take off. Straight up." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The landing boat rose from the asteroid. Rip +counted the men again, just to be sure. The boat +seemed a little crowded, but that was because the +rear compartment took up quite a bit of room. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched his chronometer. They had plenty of +time. When the boat reached a point about ten miles +above the asteroid, he ordered, "Stern tube." The +boat moved at an angle. He let it go until a sight at +the stars showed they were about in the right position, +90 degrees from the line of blast and where +they would be behind the asteroid as it moved toward +the new course. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He looked at his chronometer again. "Two minutes. +Line up at the side if you want to watch, but +darken your helmets to full protection. This thing +will light up like nothing you've ever seen before." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was a good thing space cruisers depended on +their radar and not on sight, he thought. Usually<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +spacemen opened up visual ports only when landing +or taking a star sight for an astro-plot. The clear +plastic of the domes had to be shielded from chance +meteors. Besides, radar screens were more dependable +than eyes, even though they could pick up only +solid objects. If the Consops cruiser happened to be +searching visually, it would see the blast. But the +chance had to be taken. It wasn't really much of a +chance. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"One minute," he said. He faced the asteroid, +then darkened his helmet, counting to himself. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The minute ticked off slowly, though his count +was a little fast. When he reached five, brilliant, +incandescent light lit up the interior of the boat. +Rip saw it even though his helmet was dark. The +light faded slowly, and he put his helmet back on +full transparent. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A mighty column of fire now reached out from +the asteroid into space. Rip held his breath until he +saw that the little planet was sheering off its course +under the great blast. Then he sighed with relief. +All was well so far. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Someone muttered, "By Gemini! I'm glad we're +out here instead of down there!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The column of fire lengthened, thinned out, grew +fainter until there was only a glow behind the asteroid. +Rip took his astrogation instruments and made +a number of sights. They looked good. The first blast +had worked about as predicted, although he wouldn't<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +be able to tell how much correction was needed until +he had taken star sights over a period of five or six +days. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Let's go home," he ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Back on the asteroid, a pit that glowed with radioactivity +marked the site of the first blast. Rip ordered +it covered as much as possible with the thorium that +had been taken from the hole. While the men +worked, he plotted the lines for the second blast, +found the spot, and put Kemp back to work on a +new hole. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Two hours later the second blast threw fire into +space. In another three hours, with the asteroid now +speeding on its new course, Rip set off the explosion +that blasted straight back and gave extra speed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Three radioactive craters marked the asteroid. Rip +checked the radiation level and didn't like it a bit. +He decided to set up the landing boat and their supplies +as far away from the craters as possible, which +was on the sun side. They could move to the dark +side as they approached the orbit of earth. By then +the radioactivity from the blasts would have died +down considerably. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He was selecting the location for a base when +Dowst suddenly called. "Lieutenant! Lieutenant +Foster!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was urgency in the Planeteer's voice. "What +is it, Dowst?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, take a look, about two degrees south of<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Rigel!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip found the constellation Orion and looked at +bright Rigel. For a moment he saw nothing; then, +south of the star, he saw a thin, orange line. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nuclear drive cruisers didn't have exhausts of that +color, and there was only one rocket-drive ship +around, so far as they knew. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip said softly, "Let's get our house in order, +gang. Looks like we're going to get a visit from our +friends the Connies!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc23" id="toc23"></a> +<a name="pdf24" id="pdf24"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Eight - Duck - Or Die!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa's great frame loomed in front +of Rip. "Think they've spotted us, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hated to say it. "Probably. Koa, can you estimate +from the exhaust how far away they are?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Not very well, Lieutenant. From the position of +the streak, I'd say they're decelerating." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers looked at Rip. He was in command, +and they expected him to do something about +the situation. Rip didn't know what to do. The +rocket launcher, their only weapon, wasn't designed +for fighting spaceships. It was useful against snapper-boats +and people, but firing at a cruiser would +be like sending mosquitoes to fight elephants. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He sized up their position. For one thing, they +were right out in the open, exposed to anything the +Connie cruiser might throw at them. If they could +get under cover, there might be a chance. It would +at least take the Connies a while to find them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For a moment he thought of hurrying into the +landing boat and sending out a call for help to the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, but he thought better of it. They weren't +certain that Connie had spotted them. He would +wait until there was no doubt. Meanwhile, they had<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to find cover. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His searching eyes fell on the cutting torch. If they +could use that to cut themselves right into the asteroid ... suddenly +he knew how it could be done. +On the sun side he remembered a series of high-piled, +giant crystals of thorium. They could cut into +the side of one of those. And with Kemp's skill, they +might be able to do it in time. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He called, "Kemp! Koa, bring the torch and fuel +and follow me." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In his haste he took a misstep and flew headlong +a few feet above the metal surface. Koa, gliding along +behind him, turned him upright again. He saw that +the giant Hawaiian was grinning. Rip grinned back. +It was the second time he had lost his footing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They reached the peaks of thorium and Rip looked +them over. The tallest was perhaps 40 feet high. It +was roughly pyramidal, with a base about 60 feet +thick. It would do. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Kemp." The private hurried to his side. "Take +the torch and make us a cave. Make it big enough +for all hands and the equipment." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp was a good Planeteer. He didn't stop to ask +questions. He said, "I'll make a small entrance and +open the cave out inside." He picked up the torch +and got busy. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip smiled. The Planeteer was right. He should +have thought of it himself, but it was good to see +increasing proof that his men were smart as well as<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tough and disciplined. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Bring up all supplies," he told Koa. "Move the +boat over here, too. We won't be able to bury that, +but we want it close by." He had an idea for the +landing boat. It could maneuver infinitely faster +than the big cruiser. They could put the supplies in +the cave, then take to the boat, depending on its +ability to turn quickly and on Dowst's skill at piloting +to play hide and seek. Dowst certainly could +keep the asteroid between them and the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The plan would fail when the cruiser sent a landing +party. They would certainly come in snapper-boats, +and the deadly little fighting craft could blast +rings around the landing boat. The snapper-boats +had gotten their name because fast acceleration and +quick changes of position could snap a man right out +of his seat, if he forgot to buckle his harness tightly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The solution would be to keep the landing boat +close to the asteroid. At the first sign of a landing +party, they would blast in and take to the cave, using +the rocket launcher as a defense. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The supplies began to arrive. The Planeteers +towed them two crates at a time in a steady line of +hurrying men. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp's torch sent an incandescent knife three feet +into the metal at each cut. He was rapidly slicing +out a cave. He cut the metal out in great triangular +bars, angling the torch from first one side, then the +other. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa came and stood beside Rip. "I haven't seen +the Connie's exhaust for a while, sir. Looks like +they've stopped decelerating. We can't see them at +all." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Meaning what?" Rip asked. He thought he knew, +but he wanted Koa's opinion. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"They're in free fall now, sir. That could mean +they're just hunting in the area. Or it could mean, +that they've stopped somewhere close by. They could +be looking us over, for all we know." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip surveyed the stars. "If that's so, they're not +too close, Koa. Otherwise they'd block out a patch +of stars." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Well, sir—" Koa hesitated. "I mean, if you were +looking over this asteroid and you weren't sure +whether the enemy had it or not, how close would +you get?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Probably about one AU," Rip said jokingly. That +was one astronomical unit, equal to about 93 million +miles, the distance from earth to the sun. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That would be a good, safe distance, sir," Koa +agreed with a grin. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"But let's suppose the Connie isn't as timid as I +am," Rip went on. "He might be only a few miles +out. The question is, would he wait to get closer +before launching his snapper-boats?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The big Hawaiian answered frankly, "I've never +been in a spacegrab like this before. I don't know +what the answer is." +</p> + +<a name="fig25" id="fig25"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image09.png" width="640" height="972" alt="Illustration: "That Connie Cruiser's Not Too Close, Koa."" title=""That Connie Cruiser's Not Too Close, Koa."" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"That Connie Cruiser's Not Too Close, Koa."</div></div> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll soon know," Rip replied grimly. A thought +had just struck him. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had trouble finding +the asteroid because it was just one of many +sailing along through the belt. But now the asteroid +was the only one traveling <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">across</span></span> the belt. It would +make an outstanding blip on any radar 'scope. It +wasn't possible that the Connie cruiser had missed +the blip and its significance. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The Connie may be looking us over," Rip added, +"but I can tell you one thing for sure. He knows +we've taken the asteroid." Only human hands could +swerve a heavenly body from its orbit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa looked wistfully at the atomic bomb which +remained. "If we had a way to throw that thing at +them...." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"But we haven't. And the thing wouldn't explode +anyway. We don't have the outside casing with an +exploder mechanism, so it has to be turned on electrically." +Rip could see no way to use the atomic +bomb against the Connies. It was too big for use +against a landing party. Besides, it would put the +Planeteers in danger. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ever have trouble with the Connies before?" he +asked Koa. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"More'n once, sir. Sometimes it seems like I'll +never get a job where I don't have to fight Connies." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was trained in science and Planeteer techniques +and he didn't pretend to know the ins and +outs of interplanetary politics. Just the same, he<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +couldn't help wondering about the strange relationship +between the Consolidation of People's Governments +and the Federation of Free Nations. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Connies and Feds, mostly Planeteers but sometimes +spacemen, were constantly skirmishing. They +fought over property, over control of ports on distant +planets and moons, and over space salvage. +Often there was bloodshed. Sometimes there were +pitched battles between groups of platoon size. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +But at that point, the struggle ended. The law of +the Federation said that no spaceship could fire on +a Connie spaceship, or on Connie land bases, except +with special permission of the Space Council. The +theory was that small struggles between men, or even +between small fighting craft like the snapper-boats, +was not war. But firing on a spaceship was war, and +the first such act could mean starting war throughout +the Solar System. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It made a sort of sense to Rip when he thought +about it. Little fights here and there were better +than a full war among the planets. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa suddenly gripped his arm. "Sir! Look up!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The short hairs on the back of Rip's neck prickled. +Far above, blackness blotted out stars in the shape +of a spaceship. The Connie had arrived! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip ordered urgently, "Kemp! Stop cutting. The +rest of you get the stuff under cover. Ram it!" He +hurried to lend a hand himself, hustling crates into +the cave. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp had made astonishing progress. There was +room for the crates, if stacked properly, and for the +men besides. Rip supervised the stacking, then the +placement of the rocket launcher at the entrance. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All hands inside the boat," he ordered. "Dowst, +be ready to take off at a moment's notice. You'll have +to buck this box around like never before." He explained +to the pilot his plan to dodge, keeping the +asteroid between the boat and the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll make it, sir," Dowst said. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm not worried," Rip replied, and wished it +were true. He looked up at the Connie again. It was +getting larger. The cruiser was within a few miles +of the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As Rip watched, fire spurted from the cruiser and +it moved with gathering speed toward the asteroid's +horizon. He watched the exhaust trail, wondering +why the Connie had blasted off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He has something up his sleeve," Koa muttered. +"Wish we knew what." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Let's take no chances," Rip stated. "Come on." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The men were already in the boat. He and Koa +joined them. They stood at a window, watching the +Connie's trail. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The trail dwindled. Koa said, "Something's up!" +Suddenly new fire shot from one side of the cruiser +and it spun. Balancing fire came from the other side, +and for an instant the three exhausts formed a cross +with the darkness of the Connie's hull in the center.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Then they could see only the exhausts from the +sides. The stern flame was out of sight. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He's made a full turn to come back this way," +Rip stated tensely. "Dowst, get ready." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie was perhaps 20 miles away. It grew +larger, and the side jets winked out. A few seconds +later fire spurted from the nose. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip figured rapidly. The cruiser had gone away +far enough to make a turn. It had straightened out, +heading right for them. Now the nose tube was blasting, +slowing the cruiser down. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He sighted, holding out one glove and gauging +the Connie's distance above the horizon, and his +heart speeded. The Connie was right on the horizon! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ram it!" Rip called. "Around the asteroid. +Quick!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Acceleration jammed him back against his men as +Dowst blasted. No sooner had he recovered than +acceleration in a different direction shoved him up +to the ceiling so hard that his bubble rang. He +clawed his way to the window as the Connie cruiser +flashed by, bathing the asteroid in glowing flame. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was a chorus of gasps from the men, as they +saw the thing Rip had realized a moment before. +The Consops cruiser was playing it safe, using its +rocket exhaust as a great blowtorch to burn the surface +of the asteroid clean! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sheer inhumanity of the thing made Rip's +stomach tighten into a knot. No asking for surrender,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +no taking of prisoners. Not even a clean fight. +The Connie was doing its arguing with fire, knowing +that the exhaust would char every man on the +asteroid's surface. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers watched as the Connie sped away, +blasted with its side jets and turned to come back. +Dowst tensed over the controls, trying to anticipate +the next move. He touched the firing levers delicately, +letting out just enough flame to maneuver. +He slid the craft over the asteroid's surface to the +side away from the Connie, going slowly enough so +they could watch the enemy's every move. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Here he comes," Rip snapped, and braced for +acceleration. The landing craft shot to safety as the +cruiser's nose jet flamed. Dowst was just in time. +Tiny sparks from the edge of the fiery column +brushed past the boat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip realized that the Connie couldn't know the +Federation men were in a boat, dodging. The cruiser +would make about two more runs, just enough to +allow for hitting every bit of the asteroid. Then it +would assume that anything on it was finished and +send a landing party. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He'll be back," he stated. "About twice more. +Three at most." He suddenly remembered the landing +boat radio. "Dowst, where is the radio connection?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The pilot handed him a wire with a jack plug on +the end of it. Rip plugged it into his belt. Now his<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +voice would be heard on the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Calling <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>! Calling <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>! Foster reporting. +We are under attack. Repeat, we are under attack. +Over to you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The answer rang in his helmet. "<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> to Foster. +Hold 'em, Planeteers. We're on our way!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Here comes the Connie," Koa yelled. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip braced. The landing boat shot forward, then +piled the Planeteers in a heap on the bottom as +Dowst accelerated upward. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was a sudden wrenching crash that sent the +Planeteers in a jumbled mass into the front of the +boat. It whirled crazily, then stopped. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was not hurt. He shoved at someone whose +bubble was in his stomach and cleared the way. +"Turn on belt lights," he called. "Quick!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Lights flared on. He searched quickly, swinging +his light. The Planeteers were getting to their feet. +His light focused on Private Bradshaw and he gasped. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Bradshaw's face was scarlet, and his skin was +flecked with drops of blood. His eyes were closed, +and bulging terribly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip jumped forward, but big Koa was even faster. +The Hawaiian jerked a repair strip from a belt +pouch, slapped it on the crack in Bradshaw's bubble. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip wasted no time, either. By the time Koa had +the strip in place he had pulled the connections from +his belt light. He ran the tips of the wires over the +edges of the strip. The current sealed the patch in<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +place instantly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa grabbed the atmosphere control on Bradshaw's +belt and turned it. The suit puffed up. Rip +watched the repair anxiously in the light from Koa's +belt. It held. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip reconnected his light as he asked swiftly, +"Anyone else hurt? Answer by name." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There were quick replies; No one else had been +injured. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Run for the cave," Rip commanded. "Follow +Koa. Santos and Pederson drag Bradshaw." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Englishman's voice sounded bubbly. "I can +make it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good for you!" Rip exclaimed. "Call for help if +you need it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa was already out of the craft and leading the +way. Rip went out through a window and saw the +cause of the trouble. Dowst had been a hair too close +to the asteroid. A particularly high crystal of thorium +had snagged the craft. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked for the Connie and saw it starting +another turn. They had only a moment or two before +the next run. "Show an exhaust," he called. The +Connie must have blasted the opposite side of the +asteroid while they were hung up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The cave was a quarter of the asteroid away. Rip +stayed in the rear, watching for stragglers. But even +Bradshaw was moving rapidly. Koa reached the cave +well ahead of the rest, reached for a rack of rockets,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and slapped it into the launcher. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip urged the men on. The Connie was squared +off for another run. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They catapulted to safety as the cruiser flamed +past, the exhaust splashing over the metal and sending +sparks into the cave. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked out. That, if he had guessed right, was +the last run. He watched the Connie's stern jet cut +off, saw the nose exhaust as the cruiser decelerated +to a fast stop. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Check your weapons," he ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pulled his pistol from the knee pocket and +checked it carefully. There was a clip in the magazine. +Other clips were in his pocket. The clips were +loaded with high velocity shells that exploded on +contact. One slug could stop a Venusian <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">krel</span></span>, a mammoth +beast that had been described as a cross between +a sea lion and a cactus plant. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His knife was in place in the other knee pocket. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie cruiser decelerated, went into reverse, +and came to a full stop about a mile from the asteroid. +The Planeteers saw fire in two places along the +hull, marking the exhausts of two small craft. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Snapper-boats," Koa said tonelessly. "Five men +in each, if those are the regular Connie kind." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip made a quick decision. With only one launcher +they couldn't guard the whole asteroid. "We'll +stay under cover, except for Santos and Pederson. +You two sneak out. Take advantage of every bit of<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cover you can find. I don't want you spotted. When +a boat lands, report its position. The Connies operate +on different communicator frequencies, so they +won't overhear. Well let them think they've burned +the asteroid clean." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He paused. "They'll search for a while. Then, +when they're pretty well satisfied that all is quiet, +we'll show up." Rip grinned at his Planeteers. "We +can have a real, old-fashioned surprise party." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa slid the safety catch from his pistol. "With +fireworks," he added. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc26" id="toc26"></a> +<a name="pdf27" id="pdf27"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Nine - Repel Invaders!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boats came out of the darkness of +space, leaving a glowing trail of fire. They were not +graceful. Rip could see no beauty in their lines, but +to his professional eye there was plenty of deadly +efficiency. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie fighting craft looked like three globes +strung evenly on a steel tube. The middle globe was +larger than the end ones, and it was transparent. +From it projected the barrels of two kinds of weapons—explosive +and ultrasonic. Five men usually +rode in the middle ball. One piloted. The other four +were gunners. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The end globes were pierced by five large holes. +They were blast holes for the rocket exhaust. Unlike +the landing boats, each tube did not have its own +fuel supply. One fuel tank served each globe. The +pilot could direct the exhaust through any tube or +combination of tubes he wished, by operating valves +that either sealed or opened the vents. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The system gave high maneuverability to the +boats. By playing on the controls with the skill of +an organist, the pilot could shift direction with dazzling +speed. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Snapper-boats used by the Federation operated on +the same principle, but they were of American design, +and they showed the American's love of clean +lines. Federation fighter craft were slim and streamlined, +even though the streamlining was of no use +whatever in space. With blast holes at each end, they +looked like double-ended needles. The pilot's canopy +in the center controlled guns that fired through +the front only. Rear guns were handled by a gunner, +who sat with back to the pilot. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Where Connie snapper-boats carried five men, the +Federation boats carried two. The Connies could +fire in any direction. The Federation pilots aimed by +pointing the snapper-boat itself, as fighter pilots of +conventional aircraft had once aimed their guns. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched the boats approach. He was ready to +duck inside if they decided to look the asteroid over +before landing. He hoped they wouldn't catch sight +of his two scouts. He also hoped his nervousness +would vanish when the fight started. He knew what +to do, at least in theory. He had gone through combat +problems on the moon during training. But this +was different. This was real. The lives of his men +depended on his being right, and he was afraid of +making a wrong decision. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa, an experienced Planeteer +with a lot of understanding, came and stood beside +him. He said, "Guess I'll never get over being jittery +while waiting for the fight to start. I'm sweating so<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hard my dehumidifier is humming like a Callistan +honey lizard. But it doesn't last long once the shooting +begins. I get so busy I forget to be jittery." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Before Rip could reply, the snapper-boats flashed +over the cave, circled the asteroid once, and landed +on the dark side close by the bomb craters. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The first scout reported. "Santos, sir. I'm fifty +yards beyond the stakes where we had the first base. +The snapper-boats landed between the first two craters. +Men coming out of one boat. I count six. Now +they're coming out of the other boat, but I can't see +very well." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The other scout picked up the report, his Swedish +accent thick with excitement. "I can see them, sor! +By Cosmos! There be seven in this boat on my side. +I am behind a rock forty yards to sunward of the +second crater." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned up the volume of his communicator. +"How are they armed? Santos, report." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"One is carrying a pneumatic chattergun. The rest +have nothing in their hands." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Pederson, report." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No weapons I can see, sor." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa looked at Rip. "They must think the asteroid +is clean. Otherwise they'd have more than a chattergun +in sight. You can bet they have knives and pistols, +too." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had been playing with an idea. He tried it on +his men. "These Connies would be useful to us alive,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +if we could capture them." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was Dowst who caught his meaning first. "You +mean as hostages, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's it. If we could capture them, the Connie +cruiser would be helpless. We could use the snapper-boat +radios to warn the ship that any false move +would mean harm to their men." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa shook his head doubtfully. "I'm not sure the +Connies worry about their men, but it's worth the +try. We can capture some of them if they split up +to search the asteroid. But we won't be able to sneak +up on them all." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We have an advantage," Rip reminded them. +"We've been on the asteroid longer. We know +our way around, and we're used to space-walking. +They've just come out of deceleration and they +won't have their space-legs yet." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos reported. "They're breaking up into groups +of two. Three are guarding the snapper-boats. One +is the man with the chattergun." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Are their belt lights on?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Then keep out of the beams. Don't let them +walk into you. Keep low, and keep moving. Stay over +on the dark side." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'd better get to the dark side ourselves," Koa +warned. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He was right, Rip knew. The Connies didn't have +far to search before reaching the sun side. "Koa, you<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name="Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +take Trudeau and Kemp. I'll take Dowst and Dominico. +Nunez and Bradshaw stay here to guard the +cave. If they arrive in twos, let them get into the +cave before you jump them. Bradshaw, how do you +feel?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm all right, Lieutenant." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip admired the Planeteer's nerve. He knew Bradshaw +was in pain, because bleeding into high vacuum +was always painful. The crack in the English-man's +helmet had let most of the air out, and his +own blood pressure had done the rest. He would +carry the marks for days. A few more moments and +all air and all heat would have been gone, with fatal +results. Fortunately, bubbles didn't shatter easily +when cracked. To destroy them took a good blow +that knocked out a piece. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All right. Let's travel. Koa, go right. I'll go the +other way and we'll work around the asteroid until +we meet." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip led the way, gliding as rapidly as he could +toward the edge of darkness. He called, "Santos. Any +coming in the direction of the cave?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Two pair. About fifty yards apart. They will be +out of my sight in a few seconds." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Which meant they would be within sight of Rip +and the others. He knew Koa had heard the message, +too. Both groups put on more speed, and reached +the safety of darkness. "Get down," Rip ordered. +They could still be seen, if silhouetted against the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +edges of sunlight. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Starlight gave a little light, but it was too faint to +see much. Rip's plan was that the Connies would +supply the light needed for an attack. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In a few seconds, as Santos had predicted, belt +light beams cut sharp paths through the darkness. +Rip sized up the possibilities. There were two teams +of two men each, and they were getting farther apart +with each step. One team was coming almost directly +toward them. The other team was slanting away from +them and would soon be out of sight behind the +thorium crystals in which the cave was located. Fortunately, +the Connies were going away from the +cave. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A Connie from the near-by team swung his beam +back and forth, and it cut space over their heads. +Rip saw a few low pyramids of thorium a few rods +away. He directed swiftly, "Dowst, take my boots. +Dominico, take Dowst's boots." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He lay face down on the metal ground until he +felt hands grip his boots, then he asked, "All set?" +Two voices answered. "Ready." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip put his gloves on the ground and pulled himself +forward and slightly upward. Since there was +very little gravity, the action both lifted and pulled +him. He slid parallel to the surface and a foot above +it, heading for the crystals. Once or twice he reached +down and gave another push. It was like swimming, +except that only the tips of his gloves touched the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ground, and there was no resistance of any kind. He +felt Dowst's grip on his boots, but he couldn't feel +the weight of his men. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reached the first crystal and directed, "Get behind +these rocks and stay down. Feel your way. Use +me for a guide. I'll hold on until you're under +cover." He gripped a crystal. "Come on." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico pulled himself along Dowst's prone +form, and then along Rip's. When Dominico had +reached the shelter of the crystals, Dowst crawled +along with Rip's body for his guide, passed over him, +and reached cover. Rip followed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The belt lights of the two Connies were almost +abreast of them. Far to their left, Rip saw another +pair of lights. That was a pair he hadn't seen before. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll wait until they pass," he told his men. +"Then we'll get up and rush them from behind. +They can't hear us coming. Dowst, you take the near +one. I'll take the far one. Dominico, you help as +needed, but concentrate on cutting off their equipment. +The first thing we must do is cut their communicators. +Otherwise they'll warn the rest. Then +turn off their air supplies and collapse their suits." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +One thing was in their favor. The space suits worn +by the Connies were almost the same as theirs. The +controls were of the same kind. The only way to +know a Connie was by his bubble, which was a little +more tubular than the round bubbles of the Federation. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip suddenly realized that he wasn't nervous anymore. +He grinned, licking his lips. After all, this was +what he had been trained for. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connies came abreast and passed. "Let's go," +Rip said, and as he rose he heard Koa's voice. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sergeant-major said, "Kemp, kneel on their +right side. Trudeau and I will hit them from the left +and tumble them over you. Get their communicators first." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa had methods of his own, apparently, and they +sounded good. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip started slowly. He wanted to get directly behind +the Connies. He stayed down low until he was +sure they couldn't see him, unless they turned. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst and Dominico were right with him. "Come +on," he said, and started gliding after the helmeted +figures. He kept his eyes on the one he had selected, +and he called on all the myriad stars of space to give +him luck. If the men turned, his plan for quick victory +would fail. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He sensed his Planeteers beside him as the figures +loomed ahead. He gave a final spring that sent him +through space with knees bent and outthrust, his +hands reaching. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His knees connected solidly with the Connie's +thighs and his hands groped around the bulky space +suit. He felt a rheostat control and twisted savagely, +then groped for the distinctive star-shaped button of +the air supply. +</p> + +<a name="fig28" id="fig28"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image10.png" width="640" height="978" alt="Illustration: Rip Used a Flying Tackle on the Connie" title="Rip Used a Flying Tackle on the Connie" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">Rip Used a Flying Tackle on the Connie</div></div> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie wrenched violently and threw them +both upward. Rip felt the star shape and twisted. If +he could only deflate the Connie's suit! But the man +was writhing from his grip, clawing for a weapon. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stopped reaching for the deflation valve. He +grabbed for his knife, jerked it free, and thrust it +against the middle of the Connie's back. Then he +clanged his bubble against the man's helmet for direct +communication and shouted, "Grab some space, +or I'll let vack into you!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie understood English. Most earthlings +did. But even better was his understanding of the +pressure on his back. He stopped struggling and his +arms shot starward. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip breathed freely for the first time since he had +leaped, and exultation grew in him. He had his first +man! His first hand-to-hand fight had ended in victory +so easy that he could hardly believe it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took time to look around him and saw that he +was a good five feet above the asteroid. Below him, +a Connie belt light sent its shaft parallel with the +ground, and he knew the second man was down. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The question was, had either of them shouted before +their communicators were cut off? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Dowst," he called urgently. "All okay?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No," Dowst said grimly. "We got the Connie, +but he got Dominico. Cut his leg with a space knife. +I'm putting a patch on it. You okay?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. When you can, pull me down." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Right." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico spoke up. "Don't worry about me, sir. +Nothing bad. I don't lose much air." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine, Dominico. Glad it wasn't worse." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +But Rip knew it wasn't good, either. A cut with +a space knife let air out of the suit and created at +least a partial vacuum. If it also cut flesh, the vacuum +let the blood pressure force out blood and +tissue to turn a minor wound into an ugly one. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They would have to bring this spaceflap with the +Connies to a quick end, Rip thought. He had to get +his men into air, somehow, to take a look at their +wounds. Bradshaw needed attention, and now so did +Dominico. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst reached up, took Rip's ankle, and pulled +him down. Rip held onto his captive. Then the private +bound the Connie's hands, jerked his communicator +control completely off, and turned his air +back on. Since Rip had been unable to collapse the +suit, the Connie was comfortable enough. The reason +for collapsing the suit was to deprive the enemy +of air instantly, so that he could be tied up while +helpless from lack of oxygen. There was enough air +in the suit to last for a few minutes. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie on the ground was neatly trussed. +Rip's prisoner joined him. Dowst switched off his +belt light. "Now what, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico was standing patiently near by. He said +nothing. Rip knew that no more could be done for<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the Italian at present. "Go back to the cave, Dominico," +he ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I can stay with you, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No, Dominico. Thanks for the offer, but we'll +get along. Go back to the cave." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was a little worried. He had heard nothing +from Koa since that first exchange. He told Dowst +as much. Koa himself heard and answered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Lieutenant, we're all right. Got two Connies, and +I don't think they had a chance to yell. But I'm sorry +about one, sir. Kemp had to swing at him and busted +his bubble." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fatal?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No, we got a patch on in time. But worse than +Bradshaw." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Tough." Rip couldn't feel too sympathetic. After +all, it was the Connie cruiser's fault Bradshaw had +felt high vack. "All right. We have four. That leaves +nine." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos came on the circuit. "Sir, this is Santos. +Only three men are at the snapper-boats. If you can +get here without being seen, maybe we could knock +them off. The rest wouldn't be much good if we had +their boats." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You're right, Santos," Rip replied instantly. Why +hadn't he seen that for himself? He knew how he +and Dowst could approach the craters without being +spotted, now that they had removed two teams of<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Connies. "We're on our way. Koa, make it if you +can." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico was already making his way back to the +cave. Rip and Dowst started for the horizon at a +good walk, not afraid now to use their lights, at least +for a few yards. If any of the remaining Connie +search teams saw the lights they would think it was +two of their own men. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip remembered the lay of the ground, and Santos's +description of the snapper-boats' position. He +circled almost to the horizon, then told Dowst to cut +his light. He cut his own. In a moment they topped +the horizon, and standing with only helmets visible +from the snapper-boats, looked the situation over. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The three Connies were standing between him +and the boats. To the left of the boats was the second +crater. Rip studied the ground as best he could +in the Connie belt lights and decided on a plan of +action. Calling to Dowst, he circled again. Presently +they were approaching the crater. The Connies were +about 25 yards from the crater's opposite rim. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip said, "I hate to do this, Dowst, but I can't see +any way out. We have to go into the crater." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst merely said, "Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The extra radiation might put both of them well +over the safety limits long before earth was reached, +and they both knew it. Rip didn't hesitate. He +reached the crater's edge and walked right down<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +into it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They were out of sight of the Connies now. Rip +walked up the other side of the crater until his bubble +was just below ground level. The chunks of +thorium he had ordered thrown in to block some of +the radiation made walking a little difficult. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Santos," he said, "we're in the second crater." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, I'm beyond the first, between two crystals. +Pederson is near you somewhere." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good. When I give the word, turn up your helmet +light until they can see a pretty good glow. Keep +watching them." The bubbles were equipped with +lights, but they were seldom used. He outlined his +plan swiftly. Both Santos and Dowst acknowledged. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa reported in. "We're after two more Connies +near the wreck of the landing boat, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Be careful. Pederson, go help Koa. Nunez, how +are things at the cave?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Nunez reporting, sir. Two Connies in sight, but +they haven't seen us yet." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Let me know when they spot the cave." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Santos, go ahead." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For long moments there was silence. Rip felt for +a solid foothold, found one, and flexed his knees. He +kept his back straight and his eyes on the crater rim. +His hands were occupied with two air bottles taken +from his belt, and his thumbs were on their valve +releases. He waited patiently for word from Santos<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +that his helmet glow had been seen. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos yelled, "Now!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's legs straightened with a mighty thrust. He +flashed into space headfirst, at an angle that took +him over the crater's rim and 50 feet above the +ground. He caught a glimpse of Santos's helmet, +glowing like a pink balloon, and of the three Connies +facing it, one with gun upraised. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's arms flashed above his head. His thumbs +compressed. Air spurted from the two bottles, driving +him downward, feet first, directly at the heads +of the Connies! +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc29" id="toc29"></a> +<a name="pdf30" id="pdf30"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Ten - Get the Scoprion!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +From the corner of his eye Rip saw Dowst's heavy +space boots and knew the private was right with him. +As they drove down, one of the Connies stepped a +little distance away from the others, probably to get +a better look at Santos. The Connie sensed something +and turned, just as Rip and Dowst flashed +downward on his two mates. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's boots caught one Connie where his bubble +joined his suit, and the impact drove the man downward +to the unyielding surface of the asteroid with +a soundless smash. Rip threw up his arms to cushion +his helmet as he struck the ground beyond his enemy. +He threw the air bottles away. He fought to +keep his feet under him and almost succeeded, but +his knees hit the ground and pistol and knife bit +into them painfully. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Two figures came into his view, locked tightly +together, arms flailing. It was Dowst and the second +Connie. He got to his feet and was moving to the +Planeteer's aid when Santos's voice shrilled in his +helmet. "Sir! Look left!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip whirled. The Connie who had stepped aside +was advancing, pistol in hand. His light caught Rip<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +full in the face. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The young officer thought quickly. The Connie +hadn't fired. Why? Suddenly he had it. The man +hadn't fired for fear of hitting his friend, who was +battling with Dowst. Rip was in front of them. +Quickly he dropped to one knee, reaching for his +own pistol. The Connie wouldn't dare fire now. The +high velocity slug would go right through him, to +explode in one of the struggling figures behind—and +the wrong one might get it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie saw Rip's action and tossed his pistol +aside. He, too, knew he couldn't fire. He reached +into a knee pouch and drew out his space knife. He +leaped for the Planeteer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip pulled frantically at his pistol. It was stuck +fast, probably caught in the fabric by his knee landing. +The space knife wouldn't be caught. It was +smooth, with no projections to catch. He shifted +knees and jerked it out. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie's flying body hit him, and a powerful +arm circled his waist. Rip thrust upward with his +knees, one hand reaching for the Connie's suit valve. +But the Connie had one arm free, too. He drove his +glove up under Rip's heart. Rip let go of the valve +and used his elbow to lever away just as the Connie +pressed his knife's release valve. The blade slammed +outward, drove into the inside of Rip's right arm +just above the elbow. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Pain lanced through him, and he felt the blood<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +rush to the wound as air poured through the gap in +his suit. He gritted his teeth and smashed at the +Connie with his own knife. It rammed home and he +squeezed the release. The blade connected solidly. +He was suddenly free. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pressed the wounded arm to his side, stopping +the outpouring of air. The cut hurt like all the devils +of space. With his other hand he increased the air +in his suit, then looked swiftly around. The Connie +was on his knees, both gloves pressed tightly to his +side. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dowst was just finishing a knot in the safety line +that bound a second enemy's hands. The Connie Rip +had rocketed down on was still lying where he had +fallen. And Corporal Santos, the enemy's pneumatic +chattergun at the ready, was standing guard. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned up the volume in his communicator. +He tried to sound calm, but the shakiness of triumph +and excitement was in his voice. "All Planeteers. We +have the Connie snapper-boats. Koa, bring your men +here." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He felt someone working on his arm and turned +to see Corporal Pederson, his face one vast grin in +the glare from Dowst's belt light. "Koa didn't need +me," he said. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned back. "Nunez," he called. "How are +things at the cave?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, this is Nunez. Two Connies were prowling +around, but they didn't see the entrance. Then, a<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +minute ago, they turned and hurried away." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip considered. "Koa. How many Connies have +you?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Four, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +With the five he and Dowst had taken, that meant +four still at large, and from Nunez's report, some +Connie yelling had been going on. The four certainly +knew by this time there were Federal men on +the asteroid. Unless something were done quickly +the four Connies would be shooting at them from +the darkness. He ordered, "All Planeteers. Kill your +belt lights." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The lights on the Connies they had just taken still +glowed. Dowst was putting a patch on the Connie +Rip had stabbed. He waited until the private had +finished, then said, "Turn out the Connie lights, +too." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +If he could get in touch with the Connies, he could +tell them they were finished. But using the snapper-boat +radios was out, because the enemy cruiser would +hear. The cruiser couldn't hear the helmet communicators, +though, because they carried only a short +distance. The cruiser was close enough so that a +helmet communicator turned on full volume might +barely be heard, although it was unlikely. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He couldn't stick his head in a Connie helmet, but +he could talk to a Connie by direct communication +and have him give instructions. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was complete darkness with all belt lights<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +out, but he groped his way to the Connie Dowst had +been patching, felt for his helmet, and put his own +against it. He yelled, "Do you hear me?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes." Then, "Why did you patch me?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was a perfect opening. "Because we don't want +to kill you. Listen. We have all but four of you. +Understand?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. What will you do with us?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Treat you as prisoners. If you behave. Get on +your communicator and tell those four men to surrender. +Tell them to come to the boats, with lights +on. Tell them we'll give them five minutes. If they +don't come, we'll hunt them with rockets." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"They will come," the Connie said. "They don't +want to die. I will do it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip kept his helmet against the Connie's, but the +man spoke in another language, which Rip identified +as the main Consops tongue. When he had finished, +Rip told his Planeteers to have weapons ready and +to keep lights off. Time enough for light when the +Connies were all disarmed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It didn't take five minutes. The Connie teams +came quickly and willingly, and they seemed almost +glad to give up their pistols and knives. This was +not unusual. Rip had seen many Planeteer reports +that spoke of the same thing. Many Connies, it +seemed, were glad to get away from the iron Consops +rule even if it meant becoming Federation +prisoners. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Inside one of the snapper-boats, a light glowed. +Rip put his helmet against that of the man who had +given the surrender order and demanded, "What's +that light?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The cruiser wants us." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip considered demanding that the Connie answer, +then thought better of it. He would do it +himself. After all, they had hostages. The cruiser +wouldn't take any further action. He climbed into +the snapper-boat and hunted for the plug-in terminal. +It fitted his own belt jack. He plugged in and +said, "Go ahead." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was an instant of silence, then an accented +voice demanded, "Why are you speaking English?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip replied formally, "This is Lieutenant Foster, +Federation Special Order Squadrons, in charge on +the asteroid. Your landing party is in our hands, as +prisoners, two wounded, none dead. If you agree to +withdraw, we will send the wounded men back to +you in one boat. The rest will remain here as hostages +for your good behavior." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Stand by," the voice said. There was silence for +several moments, then a new voice said, "This is the +cruiser commander. We make a counter-offer. If you +release our men and surrender to them, we will spare +the lives of you and your men." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip listened incredulously. The commanding officer +didn't understand. He, Rip, held the whip hand, +because the lives of the Connie prisoners were in his<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hands. He repeated what he had said before. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"And I repeat," the commander retorted. "Surrender +or die. Choose now." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I refuse," Rip stated flatly. "Try anything and +your men will suffer, not us." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You are mistaken," the harsh voice said. "We +will sweep the asteroid clean with our exhaust, but +this time we will be more thorough. When we have +finished, we will hammer you with guided missiles. +Then we will send snapper-boats with rockets to +hunt down any who remain. We intend to have that +thorium. You had better surrender." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip couldn't believe it. The cruiser commander +had no hesitation in sacrificing his own men! But it +was not a bluff. He knew instinctively that the Connie +commander meant it. Instantly he unplugged +the radio connection from his belt and spoke urgently. +"Koa, get everyone under cover in the cave. +Hurry! Collect all the Connies and take them with +you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then he plugged in again. "Commander, I must +have time to think this over." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You have one minute." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He watched his chronometer, planning the next +move. When the minute ended, he asked, "Commander, +how do we know you will spare our lives +if we surrender?" Through the transparent shell of +the snapper-boat he saw lights moving toward the +horizon and knew Koa was following orders. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You don't know," the cruiser answered. "You +must take our word for it. But if you surrender, we +have no reason to wish you harm." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip remained silent. The seconds ticked past until +the commander snapped, "Quickly! You have no +more time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir," Rip said plaintively, "two of my men do +not wish to surrender." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Shoot them, fool! Are you in command or not?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned. He made his voice whine. "But sir, +it is against the law of the Federation to shoot men +without a trial." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The commander lapsed into his own language, +caught himself, then barked, "You are no longer +under Federation law. You are under the Consolidation +of People's Governments. Do you surrender +or not? Answer at once, or we take action anyway. +Quick!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew he could stall no longer. He said coolly, +"If you had brains in your head instead of high +vacuum, you'd know that Planeteers never surrender. +Blast away, you filthy space pirate!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He jerked the plug loose, hesitated for a second +over whether or not to take the snapper-boat, and +decided against it. He wasn't familiar with Connie +controls and there wasn't time to experiment. He +headed for the cave as fast as he could glide. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie cruiser lost no time. Its stern tubes +flamed, then its steering tubes. It was going to drive<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +directly at the asteroid without making a long run! +Rip estimated quickly and realized that the Connie +would get to the asteroid at the same time that he +reached the cave—if he made it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He speeded up as fast as he dared. With little +gravity on the asteroid, he couldn't fall, but a false +step could lift him into space and make him lose +time while he got out an air bottle to propel him +down again. The thought gave him an idea. Without +slowing he took two bottles from his belt, turned +them so the openings were to his rear, and squeezed +the release valves. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie was gaining speed, blasting straight +toward him. Rip sped forward, and crossed to the +sun side, intent on the cave entrance, but no longer +sure he would make it. The Connie's nose tube shot +a cylinder of flame forward, reaching for the asteroid. +He saw the fire lick downward and sweep toward +him with appalling speed as he put everything he +had in a frantic dive for the cave entrance. The +flaming rocket exhaust seemed to snatch at him as +a dozen hands pulled him to safety, then beat the +sparks from his suit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He was safe. He leaned against Koa, his heart +thumping wildly. For a moment or two he couldn't +speak, then he managed, "Thanks." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa spoke for the Planeteers. "We're the ones to +say thanks, sir. If you hadn't thought of stalling the +cruiser, and if you hadn't stayed behind to give us<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +time, we'd have some casualties, and so would the +Connies we captured." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"There wasn't anything else I could do," Rip +replied. "Come on, Koa. Let's see what the cruiser +is doing." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They stepped outside. The metal was already cold +again. Things didn't stay hot in the vacuum of space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They didn't see the Connie until the fire of its +exhaust suddenly blasted above the horizon, then +they ducked for cover. The cruiser had taken a swing +at the other side of the asteroid. They peered out +again and saw it making a turn to come back. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He won't get us," Rip said confidently. "Our +tough time will come when he sends a fleet of +snapper-boats." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll get a few," Koa replied grimly. "Wait! +What's he doing?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The cruiser had started for the asteroid. Suddenly +jets flamed from every quarter of the ship. He was +using all steering jets at once! Rip watched, bewildered, +as the great ship spun slowly, advanced, then +settled to a stop just at the horizon. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"He can't be launching boats already," he said +worriedly. "What's he up to?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They ran forward a short distance until they could +see below the cave's horizon level. The cruiser released +exhausts from both sides of the ship, the +outer ones the slightest bit stronger. Rip exclaimed, +"Great Cosmos, he's cuddling right up to the asteroid!<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Why?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Hiding," Koa said. "By Gemini! Come on, sir!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip saw his meaning instantly and they raced to +the side of the asteroid, away from the ship. As they +crossed into the dark half, Rip looked back. He +couldn't see the cruiser from here. But he looked +out into space, across the horizon, and knew that +Koa's guess had been right. The distinctive glow of +a nuclear drive cruiser was clear among the stars. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had returned! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The Connie saw it," Rip said worriedly, "but +didn't blast away. That means he's intending to +ambush the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. Koa, if he does, that means +war." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The big Hawaiian shook his head. "Sir, the Connie +has guided missiles with atomic warheads just +like our ship does. If he can launch one from ambush +and hit our ship, that's the end of it. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> +will be nothing but space junk. Commander O'Brine +will never have time to get off a message, because +he'll be dead before he knows there is danger." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The logic of it sent chill fear down Rip's spine. +The Connie could get the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> with one nuclear +blast and then clean up the asteroid at leisure. The +Federation would suspect, but it would be unable +to prove anything, because there would be no witnesses. +If the Connie took time to tow the remains +of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> deep into the asteroid belt, it likely +would never be found, no matter how the Federation<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +searched. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They had to warn the ship. But how? Their +helmet communicators wouldn't reach it until it was +right at the asteroid, and that would be too late. +They had no other radio. If only the radios in the +snapper-boats were on a Federation frequency ... +hey! They could take one of the boats and intercept +the cruiser! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He was hurrying toward them before Koa understood +what he was saying. He tried to make his legs +go faster, but they were unsteady. He knew he was +losing blood. He had lost plenty. He gritted his +teeth and kept going. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boats seemed miles away to Rip, but +he plugged ahead until his belt light picked them +up. He took a long look, then turned away, heartsick. +The Connie's exhaust had charred them into +wreckage. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Now what?" he asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I don't know, sir," Koa answered somberly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They went back to the cave, not hurrying because +Rip no longer had the strength to hurry. Weakness +and a deep desire to sleep almost overcame him, +and he knew that he was finished anyway. His wound +must be too deep to clot, which meant it would +bleed until he bled to death. Whether he warned +the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> or not, his end was the same. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Back in the cave, he leaned against the wall and +asked tiredly, "How is Dominico?" +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I am fine, sir. My wound stopped bleeding." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How is the Connie I got?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Unconscious, sir," Santos replied. "He must be +bleeding badly, but we can't tell. The one you landed +on is all right now, but he may have a broken +rib or two." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Because his voice was weak, Rip had to turn up +the volume on his communicator to tell the Planeteers +about the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. They were silent when he +finished, then Dowst spoke up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Looks like they have us, sir. But we'll take plenty +of them with us before we're finished." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's the spirit," Rip approved. He told them, +"I won't last much longer. When I get too weak, Koa +will take over. Meanwhile, I want to get outside. +Bring the rocket launcher outside, too. Who's the +gunner? Santos? Stand by, then. We'll need you in +case the Connie decides to send a few snappers before +it goes after the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The cruiser's glow was plain above the horizon, +now. It was so close they could make out its form +against the background of stars. O'Brine was decelerating +and Rip was certain he was watching his +screens for a sign of the enemy. He would see nothing, +because the enemy was in the shadow of the +asteroid. He would think the coast was clear, and +come to a stop near by while he asked why Rip had +called for help. Failing to get a reply, since the landing +boat was wrecked, he would send a landing party,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and the Connie would attack while he was launching +boats, off guard. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched the prediction come true. The nuclear +cruiser slowed gradually, its great bulk nearing +the asteroid. O'Brine was operating as expected. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was having trouble keeping his vision from +blurring. He leaned against the rocket launcher and +his glove caressed one of the sharp noses in the rack. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He heard his own voice before the idea had even +taken full form. "Santos! Do you hear me? Santos! +Get the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>! Fire before it comes to a stop. And +don't miss!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos started to protest, but Koa bellowed, "Do +it. The lieutenant's right. It's the only chance we've +got to warn the ship. Get that scorpion, Santos. Dead +amidships!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Filipino corporal swung into action. His +space gloves flew as he cranked the launcher around, +turned on the illuminated sight and bent low over it. +Rip stood behind the corporal. He saw the cruiser's +shape stand out in the glow of the sight, saw the +sighting rings move as Santos corrected for its speed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The corporal fired. Fire flared back past his shoulder. +The rocket flashed away, its trail dwindling as +it sped toward the great bulk above. It reached +brennschluss and there was darkness. Rip held his +breath for long seconds, then he gave a weak cry of +victory. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A blossom of orange fire marked a perfect hit. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc31" id="toc31"></a> +<a name="pdf32" id="pdf32"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Eleven - Hard Words for O'Brine</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> could have taken direct hits with +little or no major damage from a hundred rockets +of the kind Rip had used, but Commander O'Brine +took no chances. When the alarm bell signaled that +the outer hull had been hit, the commander acted +instantly with a bellowed order. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers on the asteroid blinked with the +speed of the cruiser's getaway. Fire flamed from the +stern tubes for an instant and then there was nothing +but a fading glow where the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had been. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had a mental image of everything movable +in the ship crashing against bulkheads with the terrific +acceleration. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And in the same moment, the Consops cruiser +reacted. The Connie commander was ready to fire +guided missiles, when his target suddenly, mysteriously +blasted into space at optimum acceleration. +There was only one reason the Connie could imagine: +his cruiser had been spotted. The ambush had +failed. It was one thing for the Connie to lie in +ambush for a single, deadly surprise blast at the +Federation cruiser. It was quite another to face the +nuclear drive ship with its missile ports cleared for<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +action. The Connie knew he had lost. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and the Planeteers saw the Consops ship suddenly +flame away, then turn and dive for low space +below the asteroid belt in a direction opposite the +one the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had taken. The helmet communicators +rang with their cheers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The young officer clapped Santos on the shoulder +and exclaimed weakly, "Good shooting!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The corporal turned anxiously to Koa. "The lieutenant's +pretty weak. Can't we do something?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Forget it," Rip said. There was nothing anyone +could do. He was trapped inside his space suit. There +was nothing anyone could do for his wound until +he got into air. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa untied his safety line and moved to Rip's side. +"Sir, this is dangerous, but there's just as much danger +without. I'm going to tie off that arm." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew what Koa meant. He stood quietly as +the big sergeant-major put the line around his arm +above the wound, then put his massive strength into +the task of pulling the line tight. The heavy fabric +of the suit was stiff, and the air pressure gave further +resistance that had to be overcome. Rip let most of +the air out of the suit, then fought for breath until +the pain in his arm told him that Koa had succeeded. +He inflated the suit again and thanked the sergeant-major +weakly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The tight line stopped the bleeding, but it also +cut off the air circulation. Without the air, the heating<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +system couldn't operate efficiently. It was only +a matter of time before the arm froze. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Stand easy," Rip told his men. "Nothing to do +now but wait. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> will be back." He set an +example by leaning against the thorium crystal in +which the cave was located. It was a natural but +meaningless gesture. With no gravity pulling at them +they could remain standing indefinitely, sleeping +upright. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip closed his eyes and relaxed. The pain in his +arm was less now, and he knew the cold was setting +in. He was getting light-headed, and most of all he +wanted to sleep. Well, why not? He slumped a little +inside the suit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He awoke with Koa shaking him violently. Rip +stood upright and shook his head to clear his vision. +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> has returned." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip blinked as he stared out into space to where +Koa was pointing. He had trouble focusing his eyes +at first, and then he saw the glow of the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good," he said. "They'll send a landing boat first +thing." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I hope so," Koa replied. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip wanted to ask why the big Planeteer doubted, +but he was too tired to phrase the question. He +contented himself with watching the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In a short time the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> was balanced with +nose tubes counteracting the thrust of stern tubes,<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ready to flash into space again at a second's notice. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched, puzzled. The cruiser was miles away. +Why didn't it come any closer? Then, suddenly, it +erupted a dozen fiery streaks. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Snapper-boats," someone gasped. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip jerked fully awake. In the ruddy glow of the +fighting rockets' tubes he had seen that the cruiser's +missile ports were yawning wide, ready to spew forth +deadly nuclear charges. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boats flashed toward the asteroid in +a group, sheered off, and broke formation. They +came back in pairs, streaking space with the sparks +of their exhausts. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Into the cave," Koa shouted. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers obeyed instantly. Koa took Rip's +arm, to lead him inside, but the young officer shook +him off. "No, Koa. I'll take my chances out here. I +want to see what they're up to." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Great Cosmos, sir! They'll go over this rock like +Martian beetles. You'll get it for sure." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get inside," Rip ordered. He gathered strength +enough to make his voice firm. "I'm staying here +until I figure out some way to call them off. We +can't just stand here and let them blast us. They're +our own men." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Then I'm staying, too," Koa stated. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A pair of snapper-boats flashed overhead, and vanished +below the horizon. Two more swept past from +another direction. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched, curious. What were they up to? Another +pair quartered past them at high speed, then +two more. The dozen boats seemed to be criss-crossing +the asteroid in a definite pattern. Why? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A pair streaked past, and something sped downward +from one of them, trailing yellow flame. It +exploded in a ball of molten fire that licked across +the asteroid in waves. Rip tensed, then saw that the +chemical would burn out before it reached them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fire bomb," Koa muttered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip nodded. He had recognized it. The Planeteers +were trained in the use of fire bombs, tanks of chemicals +that burned even in an airless world. They were +equipped with simple jets for use in space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boats drew off, back toward the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>. +Rip watched, searching for some reason for +their actions. Then one of the boats pulled away +from the others. It returned to the asteroid with +stern jet burning fitfully. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Is he landing?" Koa asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip didn't know. The snapper-boat was moving +slowly enough to make a landing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Directly over the asteroid it changed direction, +circled, and returned over their heads. Rip could +almost have picked it off with a pistol shot. Santos +could have blasted it into space dust with one rocket. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boat changed direction, and for a +fraction of a second stern and side tubes "fought" +each other, making the boat yaw wildly, then it<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +straightened out on a new course. +</p> + +<a name="fig33" id="fig33"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image11.png" width="640" height="990" alt="Illustration: "They're Using Fire Bombs," Muttered Koa." title=""They're Using Fire Bombs," Muttered Koa." /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"They're Using Fire Bombs," Muttered Koa.</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa exclaimed, "That's a drone!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip got it then. A pilotless snapper-boat! That's +why its actions were a little uneven. Only one thing +could explain its deliberate slowness. It was bait. +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> had sent piloted snapper-boats over +the asteroid at high speed, criss-crossing in order to +cover the thorium world completely, expecting to +have the unknown rocketeer fire at them. Then a +fire bomb had been dropped as a further means of +getting the asteroid to fire. But no rockets had been +fired from the asteroid, so the pilot in control of the +drone had sent it at low speed, a perfect target. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +That meant O'Brine wasn't sure of what was going +on. He must have seen the blip on his screen as +the Connie cruiser flamed off, Rip reasoned. But the +commander probably suspected that the Connies had +overcome the Planeteers and were in control of the +asteroid. He had sent the snapper-boats to try and +draw fire in an attempt to find out more surely +whether Planeteers or Connies had the thorium rock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> doesn't know what's going on," +Rip told his Planeteers. "O'Brine didn't know the +cruiser was waiting to ambush him, so the rocket +we fired made him think the Connies had taken +us over." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He put himself in O'Brine's place. What would +his next step be? The snapper-boats hadn't drawn +fire, even when a drone was sent over at low speed.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The next thing would be to send a piloted boat over +slowly enough to take a look. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hoped O'Brine would hurry. There was no +longer any feeling in his arm below Koa's safety +line. That meant the arm had frozen. He had to get +medical attention from the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> pretty soon. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He gritted his teeth. At least he was no longer +losing blood. He wasn't getting any weaker. But +every now and then his vision fogged and he had +to shake his head to clear it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The pilotless snapper-boat made another slow run, +then put on speed and flashed back to the group of +boats near the cruiser. Another boat detached itself +from the squadron and moved toward the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip wished for a communicator powerful enough +to reach the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, but knew it was useless to try +with his helmet circuit. The carrier waves of the +snapper-boats were on the same frequency, and they +would smother the faint signal from his bubble. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +But the boats might be able to hear if they got +close enough! He had a swift memory of the communications +circuits. The pilots were plugged into +their boat communicators. If a boat got near enough, +he could turn up his bubble to full volume and yell. +Not only would the boat pilot hear him, but his +voice would go through the pilot's circuit and be +heard in the ship! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grabbed Koa's arm. "Let's move away from +the cave a little farther." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The two of them stepped away from the cave and +stood in full view as the snapper-boat moved cautiously +down toward the asteroid. Rip planned what +he would say. "Commander O'Brine, this is Foster!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +No, that wouldn't do. Connies would know that +Kevin O'Brine commanded the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, and if they +had taken over the Planeteers on the asteroid, they +would also have learned Rip's name. He had to say +something that would identify him beyond a doubt. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boat was closing in slowly. Rip knew +the pilot and gunner must be tense, frightened, ready +to blast with their guns at the first wrong move on +the asteroid. He groped with his good arm and +turned up his helmet communicator to full volume. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The fighting rocket drew closer, cut in its nose +tube, and hovered only a few hundred feet above +the Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip summoned enough strength to make his voice +sharp and clear. His words sped through space into +the bubble of the pilot, echoed in the helmet and +were picked up by the pilot's microphone, then +hurled through the snapper-boat circuit through +space to the control room of the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine stiffened as the speaker threw Rip's voice +at him, amplified and hollow-sounding from reverberations +in the boat pilot's helmet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">O'Brine is so ugly he won't look at his face in a +clean blast tube! That no-good Irishman wouldn't +know what to do with an asteroid if he had one!</span></span>" +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The commander turned purple with rage. He bellowed, +"Foster!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A junior space officer hid a grin and murmured, +"Looks like the Planeteers still have the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine bent over the communicator and yelled, +"Deputy commander! Launch landing boats. Get +those Planeteers and bring them here, under armed +guard. Ram it!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boat pilot through whose circuit Rip +had yelled turned to look wide-eyed at his gunner. +"Did you hear that? Throw a light down on the +asteroid. It must have come from there." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The gunner threw a switch and a searchlight port +opened in the boat's belly. Its beam searched downward, +swept past, then steadied on two space-clad +figures. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It worked," Rip said tiredly. He closed his eyes +to guard them against the brilliant glare, then waved +his good arm. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos called from the cave entrance. "Sir, landing +boats are being launched!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Bring out the prisoners," Rip ordered. "Line +them up. Planeteers fall in behind them." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The landing boats, with snapper-boats in watchful +attendance, blasted down to the surface of the asteroid. +Spacemen jumped out, awkward at first on the +no-weight surface. An officer glided to meet Rip, and +he had a pistol in his hand. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's all right," Rip told him. "The Connies are<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +our prisoners. You won't need guns." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The spaceman snapped, "You're under arrest." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stared incredulously. "What for?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The commander's orders. Don't give me any +arguments. Just get aboard." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I can't argue with a loaded gun," Rip said wearily. +He called to his men. "We're under arrest. I +don't know why. Don't try to resist. Do as the spacemen +order." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip got aboard the nearest landing boat, his head +spinning. O'Brine had made a mistake of some kind. +The landing boats, loaded with Planeteers and +Connies, lifted from the asteroid to the cruiser. They +slid smoothly into the air locks and settled. The massive +lock doors slid closed and lights flickered on. +Rip waited, trying to keep consciousness from slipping away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The lock gauges registered normal air, and the +inner valves slid open. Commander O'Brine stepped +through, his square jaw outthrust and his face flushed +with anger. He bellowed, "Where's Foster?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His voice was so loud Rip heard him faintly even +through the bubble. He stepped out of the landing +boat and faced the irate commander. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine ordered, "Get him out of that suit." +Two spacemen jumped forward. One twisted +Rip's bubble free and lifted it off. The heavy air of +the ship hit him with physical force. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine grated, "You're under arrest, Foster, for<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +firing on the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, for insubordination, and for +conduct unbecoming an officer. Get out of that suit +and get flaming. It's the spacepot for you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had to grin. He couldn't help it. He started +to reply, but the heavy air of the cruiser, so much +richer and denser than that of the suits, was too +much. He slumped unconscious. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was no gravity to pull him to the floor, but +the action of his relaxing muscles swung him slowly +until he lay face down in the air a few feet above +the floor. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine stared for a moment, then +he took the unconscious Planeteer and swung him +upright. His quick eyes took in the patch on the +arm, the safety line tied tightly. He roared, "Quick! +Get him to the wound ward!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip came back to consciousness on the operating +table. The wound in his arm had been neatly repaired, +and below the wound, where his arm had +frozen, a plastic temperature bag was slowly bringing +the cold flesh back to normal. On his other side, +a pulsing pressure pump forced new blood from the +ship's supplies into his veins. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A senior space officer with the golden lancet of +the medical service on his blue tunic bent over him. +"How do you feel?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip's voice surprised him. It was as full and strong +as ever. "I feel wonderful. Can I get up?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"When we get enough blood into you and your<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +arm is fully restored." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander O'Brine appeared in the door frame. +"Can he talk?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. He's fine, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine glared down at Rip. "Can you give me a +good reason why I shouldn't have you treated for +space madness, then toss you in the spacepot until +we reach earth?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Best reason in the galaxy," Rip said cheerfully. +"But before we talk about it, I want to know how +my men are. One got cut and another had his bubble +cracked. Also, one of the Connies got badly cut, +another had some broken bones, and a third one +bled into high vack when Koa cracked his bubble." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor answered Rip's question. "Your men +are all right. We put the one with the cracked bubble +into high compression for a while, just to relieve +his pain a little. The other one didn't bleed much. +He's back in the squadroom right now. Two of the +prisoners are patched up, but the third one is in the +other operating room. I don't know whether we can +save him or not. We're trying." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine nodded. "Thanks, doctor. Now, Foster, +start talking. You fired on this ship, scored a hit, +and broke the airseal. No casualties, fortunately. But +by forcing us to accelerate at optimum speed, you +caused so much breakage of ship's stores that we'll +have to put into Marsport for new stocks. And on +top of all that, you insulted me within the hearing<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of every man on the ship. I don't mind being insulted +by Planeteers. I'm used to it. But when it's +done over the ship's communications system, it's bad +for discipline." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip tried to keep a straight face. He said mildly, +"Sir, I'm surprised you even give me a chance to +explain." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I wouldn't have," O'Brine said frankly. "I would +have shot off a special message to earth relieving you +of command and asking for Discipline Board action. +But when I saw those Connie prisoners, I knew there +was more to this than just a young space-pup going +vack-wacky." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"There was, Commander." Rip recited the events +of the past few hours while the Irishman listened +with growing amazement. He finished with, "I had +to convince you in a hurry that we still held the +asteroid, so I used some insulting phrases that would +let you know who was talking without any doubt at +all. And you did know, didn't you, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine flushed. For a long moment his glance +locked with Rip's, then he roared with laughter. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned his relief. "My apologies, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Accepted," O'Brine chuckled. "I'm sorry I won't +have an excuse for dumping you in the spacepot, +Foster. Your explanation is acceptable, but I have +a suspicion that you enjoyed calling me names." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I might have," Rip admitted, "but I wasn't in +very good shape. The only thing I could think of<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was getting into air so I could have my arm treated. +Commander, we've moved the asteroid. Now we +have to correct course. And we have to get some new +equipment, including nuclite shielding. Also, sir, +I'd appreciate it if you'd let my men clean up and +eat. They haven't been in air since we left the +cruiser." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For answer, O'Brine strode to the operating room +communicator. "Get it," he called. "The deputy +commander will prepare landing boat one and issue +new space suits and helmets for all Planeteers with +damaged equipment. Put in two rolls of nuclite. +Sergeant-major Koa will see that all Planeteers have +an opportunity to clean up and eat immediately. The +Planeteers will return to the asteroid in one hour." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip asked, "Will I be able to go into space by +then?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor replied. "Your arm will be normal in +about twenty minutes. It will ache some, but you'll +have full use of it. We'll bring you back to the ship +in about twenty-four hours for another look at it, +just to be sure." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sixty minutes later, clean, fed, and contented, the +Planeteers were again on the thorium planet while +the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, riding the same orbit, stood by a few +miles out in space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid and the great cruiser arched high +above the belt of tiny worlds in the orbit Rip had +set, traveling together toward distant Mars. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a> +<a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Twelve - Mercury Transit</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The long hours passed, and only Rip's chronometer +told him when the end of a day was reached. +The Planeteers alternately worked on the surface +and rested in the air of the landing boat compartment +while the asteroid sped steadily on its way. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When a series of sightings over several days gave +Rip enough exact data to work on, he recalculated +the orbit, found the amount that the course had to +be corrected, and supervised the cutting of new and +smaller holes in the metal. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Tubes of ordinary rocket fuel were placed in these +and fired, and the thrust moved the asteroid slightly, +just enough to make the corrections Rip needed. It +was not necessary to take to the landing boat for +these blasts. The Planeteers retired to their cave, +which was now lined with nuclite as a protection +against radiation. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched his dosimeter climb steadily as the +radiation dosage mounted. Then he took the landing +boat to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span>, talked the problem over +with the ship's medical department and arranged +for his men to take injections that would keep them +from coming down with radiation sickness. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They left the asteroid belt far behind, and passed +within ten thousand miles of Mars. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> +sent its entire complement of snapper-boats to the +asteroid for protection, in case Consops made another +try, then flamed off to Marsport to put in new +supplies to replace those damaged when Rip had +forced sudden and disastrous acceleration. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid had reached earth's orbit before the +cruiser returned. Of course, earth was on the other +side of the sun. Rip ordered a survey and found the +best place on the dark side to make a new base. The +Planeteers cut out a cave with the torch, lined it +with nuclite, and moved in their supplies. It would +be their permanent base to the end of the trip. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sun was very hot now. On the sunny side of +the asteroid the temperature had soared far past the +boiling point of water. But on the dark side, Rip +measured temperatures close to absolute zero. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> returned he arranged with +Commander O'Brine for the Planeteers to take turns +going to the cruiser for showers and decent meals. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid approached the orbit of Venus, but +the bright planet was some distance away, at its +greatest elongation to the east of the sun. Mercury, +however, loomed larger and larger. They would pass +close to the hot planet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine recalled Rip to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scorpius</span></span> and handed +him a message. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +ASTEROID NOW WITHIN PROTECTION<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a> +REACH OF MERCURY AND TERRA BASES. +YOUR ESCORT NO LONGER REQUIRED. +PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TITAN, TAKE ON +CARGO AND PERSONNEL. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The commander sighed. "Looks like I'll never +get to earth long enough to see my family." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip sympathized. "Tough, sir. Perhaps the cargo +from Titan will be scheduled for Terra." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's what I hope," O'Brine agreed. "Well, +here's where we part. Is there anything you need?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip made a mental check on supplies. He had +more than enough. "The only thing we need is a +long-range communicator, sir. If you're leaving, +we'll have no way to contact the planet bases." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll see that you get one." The Irishman thrust +out his hand. "Stay out of high vack, Foster. Too +bad you didn't join us instead of the Planeteers. I +might have made a decent officer out of you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned. "That's a real compliment, sir. I +might return it by saying I'd be glad to have you +as a Planeteer corporal any time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +O'Brine chuckled. "All right. Let's declare a truce, +Planeteer. We'll meet again. Space isn't very big." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A short time later Rip stood in front of his asteroid +base and watched the great cruiser drive into +space. A short distance away a snapper-boat was +lashed to the landing boat. O'Brine had insisted on +leaving it, with a word of warning. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"These Connies are plenty smart. I don't like<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +leaving you unprotected, even within reach of Mercury +and Terra, but orders are orders. Keep the +snapper-boat and you'll at least be able to put up a +fight if you bump into trouble." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid sped on its lonely way for two days +and then a cruiser came out of space, its nuclear +drive glowing. The Planeteers manned the rocket +launcher and Rip and Santos stood by the snapper-boat +just in case, but the cruiser was the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>, +out of Mercury. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Captain Go Sian-tek, a Chinese Planeteer officer, +arrived in one of the cruiser's landing boats accompanied +by three enlisted Planeteers. They were all +from the Special Order Squadron on Mercury. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Captain Go greeted Rip and his men, then handed +over a plastic stylus plate ordering Rip to deliver +six cubic meters of thorium for use on Mercury. +While Koa supervised the cutting of the block, Rip +and the captain chatted. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Mercurian Planeteer base was in the twilight +zone, but the Planeteers did all their work on the +sun side, using special alloy suits to mine the precious +nuclite that only the hot planet provided. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +At some time during its first years, Mercury had +been so close to the sun that its temperature was +driven high enough to permit a subatomic thermo-nuclear +reaction. The reaction had shorn some elements +of their electrons and left a thin coating of +material composed almost entirely of neutrons. The<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +nuclite was incredibly dense. It could be handled +only in low gravity because of its weight. But nothing +else provided the shielding against radiation and +meteors half so well and it was in great demand for +spaceship skins. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Things aren't so bad," Go told Rip. "The base +is comfortable and we only work a two hour shift +out of each ten. We've had a plague of silly dillies +recently. They got into one man's suit while we were +working, but mostly they're just a nuisance." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had heard of the creatures. They were like +earth armadillos, except that they were silicon animals +and not carbon like those of earth. They were +drawn to oxygen like iron to a magnet, and their +diamond hard tongues, used for drilling rock in +order to get the minerals on which they lived, could +drive right through a space suit. Or, if they could +work undetected for a short while, they could drill +through the shell of a space station. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Scralabus primus</span></span> was the scientific name of the +creature, but the fact that it looked like a silicon +armadillo had given it the popular name of "silly +dilly." Apart from its desire for oxygen it was harmless. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa reported, "Sir, the block of thorium is ready. +We've hung it on a line behind the landing boat. +The blast won't hurt it, and it's too big to get inside +the boat." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine, Koa. Well, Captain, that does it." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Mercurian Planeteers got into their craft and +blasted off, trailing the block of thorium in their +exhaust. Rip watched the cruiser take the craft and +thorium aboard, then drive toward Mercury, brilliant +sunlight reflecting from its sleek sides. The +planet was only a short distance away by spaceship. +It was the largest thing in space, except for the sun, +as seen from the asteroid. To Rip it looked about +three times the size of the moon as seen from earth. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Past the orbit of Mercury, the sun side of the asteroid +grew dangerously hot for men in space suits. Rip +and the Planeteers stayed in the bitter cold of the +dark side, which ceased to be entirely dark. Even +the temperature rose somewhat. They were close +enough to the sun so that the prominences, great +flaming tongues of hydrogen that sped many thousands +of miles into space, gave them light and enough +heat to register on Rip's instruments. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Mercury was left far behind, and earth could not +be seen because of the sun. There was nothing to +do now but ride out the rest of the trip as comfortably +as possible until it was time to throw the asteroid +into an ever-tightening series of elliptical orbits +around earth, known as braking ellipses. The method +would use earth's gravity to slow them down +to the proper speed. A single atomic bomb and a +half dozen tubes of rocket fuel remained. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then, as Rip was enjoying the comfort of air during +his off-watch hour in the boat compartment, Koa<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +beat an alarm on the door. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and the Planeteers with him hurriedly got +into space suits and opened up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's Terra base calling on the communicator, +sir," Koa reported. "Urgent message, they said, and +they want to talk to you, personally." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hurried to the base cave. The communicator +indicator light was glowing red. He plugged in his +helmet circuit and said, "This is Lieutenant Foster. +Go ahead." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A voice crackled across space from earth. "This is +Terra base. Foster, a Consops cruiser has apparently +been hiding behind the sun waiting for you. Our +screens just picked it up, heading your way. We've +sent orders to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> on Mercury to give you +cover, and the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span> has taken off from here. But +get this, Foster. The Consops cruiser will reach you +first. You have about one hour. Do you understand?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip understood all right. He understood too well. +"Got you," he said shortly. "Now what?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The communicator buzzed. "Take any appropriate +action. You're on your own, Foster. Sorry. Sending +the cruisers is all we can do. We'll stand by for +word from you. If you think of any way we can help, +let us know." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip asked, "How long before the cruisers arrive?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You're too close to us for them to move fast. +They'll have to use time accelerating and decelerating. +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> should arrive in something less<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +than two hours and the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span> a few minutes later." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The communicator paused, then continued. "One +thing more, Foster. The Connies know how badly +we want that asteroid, but they also know we don't +want it enough to start a war. Got that?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Got it," Rip stated wryly. "I got it good. Thanks +for the warning, Terra base. Foster off." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Terra base off. Stay out of high vack." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Fine advice, if it could be taken. Rip stared up +at the brilliant stars, thinking fast. The Connie +would have almost an hour's lead on the space patrol +cruisers. In that hour, if the Connie were willing +to pay the price in blasted snapper-boats, Consops +would have the asteroid. And Terra base had made +it clear that the space patrol would not try to blast +the Connie cruiser and take back the asteroid, because +that would mean war. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Added together, the facts said just one thing: they +had one hour in which to think of some way to hold +off the Connies for an additional hour. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were clustered around him. Rip +asked grimly, "Any of you ever study the ancient +art of magic?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers remained silent and tense. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Magic is what we need," Rip told them. "We +have to make the whole asteroid disappear, or else +we have to conjure up a space cruiser out of the +thorium. Otherwise, we have a little more than an +hour before we're either prisoners or dead!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc36" id="toc36"></a> +<a name="pdf37" id="pdf37"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Thirteen - Peril at Perihelion</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa had made no comment since +notifying Rip of the call from Terra base. Now he +asked thoughtfully, "Lieutenant, can the Connie +launch boats this close to the sun? Won't the sun's +pull suck them right in?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Corporal Pederson scoffed, "Naw, Koa. If sun's +gravity be that strong, it pull us in, too." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Not quite, Pederson," Rip corrected. "Koa is on +the right track. The pull of the sun is pretty strong. +But I don't think it's strong enough to capture +boats." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He had figured the asteroid's orbit to pass as close +to the sun as possible while maintaining a margin +of safety. He had wanted to use the sun's gravity to +pick up speed. His regular star sightings had told +him several days before that the sun was dragging +them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +But Koa had started a train of ideas running +through Rip's head. If they could get close enough +to the sun so small boats would be unable to break +free of its gravity, the Connie wouldn't dare send a +landing force. The powerful engines of a cruiser +could break loose from Sol's pull, but not the chemical<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +jets of a cruiser's boats. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip got his instruments and pulled out a special +slide rule designed for use in space. He had Koa +stand by with stylus and computation board and take +down figures as he called them off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He recalculated the safety factor he had used when +deciding how close to put the asteroid to the sun, +then took quick star sights to determine their exact +position. They were within a few miles of perihelion, +the point at which they would be closest to Sol. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip tapped gloved fingers on his helmet absently. +If they could blast out of the orbit and drive into +the sun ... he estimated the result. A few miles per +second of extra speed would put them so far within +the sun's field of gravity that, within an hour or so, +small boats would venture into space only at their +peril. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reviewed the equipment. They had tubes of +rocket fuel, but the tubes wouldn't give the powerful +thrust needed for this job. They had one atomic +bomb. One wasn't enough. Not only must they drive +toward the sun, they must keep reserve power to +blast free again. If only they had a pair of nuclear +charges! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He called his Planeteers together and outlined the +problem. Perhaps one of them would have an idea. +But no useful suggestions were forthcoming until +little Dominico spoke up. "Sir, why don't we make +two bombs from one?" +</p> + +<a name="fig38" id="fig38"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image12.png" width="640" height="976" alt="Illustration: "Sir, Why Don't We Make Two Bombs From One?"" title=""Sir, Why Don't We Make Two Bombs From One?"" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"Sir, Why Don't We Make Two Bombs From One?"</div></div> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I wish we could," Rip said. "Do you know how, +Dominico?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No, Lieutenant. If we had parts, I could put +bombs together. I can take them apart, but I don't +know how to make two out of one." The Italian +Planeteer looked accusingly at Rip. "I thought maybe +you know, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grunted. If they had parts, he could assemble +nuclear bombs, too. Part of his physics training had +been concerned with fission and its various applications. +But no one had taught him how to make two +bombs out of one. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The theory of nuclear explosions was simple +enough. Two or more correctly sized pieces of plutonium +or uranium isotope, when brought together, +formed what was known as a critical mass, which +would fission. The fissioning released energy and +produced the explosion. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +But there was a wide gap between theory and +practice. A nuclear bomb was actually pretty complicated. +It had to be complicated to keep the pieces +of the fissionable material apart until a chemical +explosion drove them together fast and hard enough +to create a fission explosion. If the pieces weren't +brought together rapidly enough, the mass would +fission in a slow chain reaction and no explosion +would result. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was trained in scientific analysis. He tackled +the problem logically, considering the design of a<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +nuclear bomb and the reasons for it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Atomic bombs had to be carried. That meant an +outer casing was necessary. Probably the casing had +a lot to do with the design. Suppose no casing were +required? What would be needed? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took the stylus and computation board from +Koa and jotted down the parts required. First, two +or more pieces of plutonium large enough to form +a critical mass. Second, a neutron source—some material +with the type of radioactivity that produced +neutrons—to start the reaction. Third, some kind +of neutron reflector. And fourth, explosive to drive +the pieces together. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Did they have all those items? He checked them +off. Their single five KT bomb contained at least +enough plutonium for two critical masses, if brought +together inside a good neutron reflector. Each mass +should give about a two kiloton explosion. And they +did have a good neutron reflector—nuclite. There +wasn't anything better for the purpose. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"What have we got for a neutron source?" he +asked aloud. He was really asking himself, but he +got a quick answer from Koa. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir, some of the stuff left in the craters from the +other explosions gives off neutrons." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You're right," Rip agreed instantly. A small piece +from one of the craters, when combined with half of +the neutron source in the bomb, should be enough. +As for the explosive, they had exploding heads on<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +their attack rockets. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In other words, he had what he needed—except +for a method of putting all the pieces together to +create a bomb. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +If only they had a tube of some sort that would +withstand the chemical explosion—the one that +brought the critical mass together! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He told the Planeteers what he had been thinking, +then asked, "Any ideas for a tube?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How about a tube from the snapper-boat?" Santos +suggested. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shook his head. "Not strong enough. They're +designed to withstand the slow push of rocket fuel, +not the fast rap of an explosion. When I say slow, I +mean slow-burning when compared with explosive. +Who has another idea?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp, the expert torchman, said, "Sir, I can burn +you a tube into the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grabbed the Planeteer so hard they both +floated upward. "Kemp, that's wonderful! That's it!" +The details took form in his mind even as he called +orders. "Dominico, tear down that bomb. Santos, +remove two heads from your rockets and wire them +to explode on electrical impulse. Kemp, we'll want +the tube just a fraction of an inch wider than a rocket +head. Get your torch ready." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took the stylus and began calculating. He +talked as he worked, telling the Planeteers exactly +what they were up against. "I'm figuring out where<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to put the charge so it will do the most good, but my +data isn't complete. If our homemade bomb goes +off, I don't know exactly how much power it will +give. If it gives too much, we'll be driven so close to +the sun well never get free of its gravity." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Bradshaw, the English Planeteer, said mildly, +"Don't worry, Lieutenant. We're caught either way. +If it isn't the solar frying pan, it's Connie fire." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A chorus of agreement came from the other Planeteers. +What a crew! Rip thought. What a great gang +of space pirates! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He finished his calculations and found the exact +spot where Kemp would cut. A few feet away from +the spot was a thick pyramid of thorium. That would +do, and they could cut into it horizontally instead +of drilling straight down. He pointed to it. "Let's +have a hole straight in for six feet. And keep it +straight, Kemp. Allow enough room for a lining of +nuclite. Koa, pull a sheet of nuclite out of the cave +and cut it to size." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp's torch already was slicing into the metal. +Rip asked, "Can you weld with that thing, Kemp?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Just show me what you want, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good." Rip motioned to Trudeau. "Frenchy, +we'll need a strong rod at least eight feet long." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The French Planeteer hurried off. Rip consulted +his chronometer. Less than ten minutes had passed +since the call from Terra base. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He went over his plan again. It had to work! If<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +it didn't, asteroid and Planeteers would end up as +subatomic particles in the sun's photosphere, because +he had calculated his blast to drive the asteroid +past the limit of safety. It was the only way he could +be sure of putting them beyond danger from Connie +landing boats or snapper-boats. The Connie would +have only one chance—to bring his cruiser down on +the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +If he tried that, Rip thought grimly, he would get +a surprise. The second nuclear charge would be set, +ready to be fired. The Connie cruiser was so big +that no matter how it pulled up to the asteroid, +some part of it would be close enough to the charge +to be blown into space dust. No cruiser could survive +an atomic explosion within five hundred yards, +and the Connie would have to get closer to the +nuclear charge than that. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico reported that the bomb had been dismantled. +Rip went to it and examined the raw plutonium, +being careful to keep the pieces widely +separated. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +This particular bomb design used five pieces of +plutonium which were driven together to form a +ball. Rip made a quick estimate. Two were enough +to form a critical mass. He would use two to blast +into the sun and three to blast out again. He would +need the extra kick. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was only one trouble. The pieces were +wedge shaped. They would have to be mounted in<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +thorium in order to keep them rigid. Only Kemp +could do that. They had no cutting tool but the +torch. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos appeared, carrying a rocket head under +each arm. They had wires wound around them, +ready to be attached to an electrical source. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip hurried back to where Kemp was at work. +The private was using a cutting nozzle that threw +an almost invisible flame five feet long. In air, the +nozzle wouldn't have worked effectively beyond two +feet, but in space it cut right down to the end of the +flame. Kemp had his arm inside the hole and was +peering past it as he finished the cut. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Done, sir," he said, and adjusted the flame to a +spout of red fire. He thrust the torch into the hole +and quickly withdrew it as pieces of thorium flew +out. A stream of water hosed into the tube would +have washed them out the same way. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip took a block of plutonium from Dominico +and handed it to Kemp. "Cut a plug and fit this +into it. Then cut a second plug for the other piece. +They have to match perfectly, and you can't put +them together to try out the fit. If you do, we'll have +fission right here in the open." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp searched and found a piece he had cut in +making the tube. It was perfectly round, ideal for +the purpose. He sliced off the inner side where it +tapered to a cone, then, working only by eye estimate, +cut out a hole in which the wedge of fission<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +material would fit. He wasn't off by a thirty-second +of an inch. Skillful application of the torch melted +the thorium around the wedge and sealed it tightly. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa was ready with a sheet of nuclite. Trudeau +arrived with a long pole he had made by lashing +two crate sticks together. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip gave directions as they formed a cylinder of +nuclite. Kemp spot-welded it, and they pushed it +into the hole, forming a lining. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nunez found a small piece of material in one of +the earlier craters. It would provide some neutrons +to start the chain reaction. Rip added it to the front +of the plutonium wedge along with a piece of beryllium +from the bomb, and Kemp welded it in place. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They put the thorium block which contained the +plutonium into the hole, the plutonium facing outward. +Trudeau rammed it to the bottom with his +pole. The neutron source, the neutron reflector, and +one piece of fissionable material were in place. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp sliced another round block of thorium out +of a near-by crystal and fitted the second wedge of +plutonium into it. At first Rip had worried about +the two pieces of plutonium making a good enough +contact, but Kemp's skillful hand and precision eye +removed that worry. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The torchman finished fitting the plutonium and +carried the block to the tube opening. He tried it, +removed a slight irregularity with his torch, then +said quietly, "Finished, sir." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip took over. He slid the thorium-plutonium +block into the tube, took a rocket head from Santos +and used it to push the block in farther. When the +rocket head was about four inches inside the tube, +its wires trailing out, Rip called Kemp. At his direction, +the torchman sliced a thin slot up the face of +the crystal. Rip fitted the wires into it and held them +in place with a small wedge of thorium. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp cut a plug, fitted it into the hole, and welded +the seams closed. The tube was sealed. When +electric current fired the rocket head, the thorium +carrying the plutonium wedge would be driven forward +to meet the wedge in the back. And, unless Rip +had miscalculated the mass of the two pieces, they +would have their nuclear blast. Rip surveyed the +crystal with some anxiety. It looked right. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico already had rigged the timer from the +atomic bomb. He connected the wires, then looked +at Rip. "Do I set it, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Load the communicator, the extra bomb parts, +the rocket launcher and rockets, the cutting equipment, +my instruments, and the tubes of fuel," Rip +ordered. "Leave everything else in the cave." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers ran to obey. Rip waited until the +landing boat was nearly loaded, then told Dominico +to set the timer for five minutes. He wondered how +they would explode the second charge, since they +had only the one timer left, then forgot about it. +Time enough to worry when faced with the problem. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll take the snapper-boat," he stated. "Santos in +the gunner's seat. Koa in charge in the landing boat. +Dowst pilot. Let's show an exhaust." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He fitted himself into the tight pilot seat of the +snapper-boat while Santos climbed in behind. Then, +handling the controls with the skill of long practice, +he lifted the tiny fighting rocket above the asteroid +and waited for the landing boat. When it joined up, +Rip led the way to safety. As he cut his exhaust to +wait for the explosion, he sighted past the snapper-boat's +nose to the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He was moving, and the direction of his move +told him the sun was already pulling. Its pull was +strong, too. He cut his jets back on, just to hold position, +and saw Dowst do the same. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Another few miles toward the sun and the landing +boat wouldn't have the power to get away from Sol's +gravity. A few miles beyond that, even the powerful +little snapper-boat would be caught. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Below, the timer reached zero. A mighty fan of +fire shot into space. The asteroid shuddered from +the blast, then swerved gradually, picking up speed +as well as new direction. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip swallowed hard. Now they were committed. +They would reach a new perihelion far beyond the +limits of safety. P for perihelion and P for peril. In +this case, they were the same thing! +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc39" id="toc39"></a> +<a name="pdf40" id="pdf40"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Fourteen - Between Two Fires</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Back on the asteroid, the Planeteers started laying +the second atomic charge. Rip selected the spot, +found a near-by crystal that would serve to house the +bomb, and Kemp started cutting. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers knew what to do now, and the +work went rapidly. Rip kept an eye on his chronometer. +According to the message from Terra base, he +had about fifteen minutes before the Consops cruiser +arrived. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We have one advantage we didn't have back in +the asteroid belt," he remarked to Koa. "Back there +they could have landed anywhere on the rock. Now +they have to stick to the dark side. Snapper-boats +could last on the sun side, but men in ordinary +space suits couldn't." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's good," Koa agreed. "We have only one +side to defend. Why don't we put the rocket launcher +right in the middle of the dark side?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Go ahead. And have all men check their pistols +and knives. We don't know what's likely to happen +when that Connie flames in." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip walked over to the communicator and plugged +his suit into the circuit. "This is the asteroid calling<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Terra base. Over." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This is Terra base. Go ahead, Foster. How are +you doing?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"If you need anything cooked, send it to us," Rip +replied. "We have heat enough to cook anything, +including tungsten alloy." He explained briefly what +action they had taken. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A new voice came on the communicator. "Foster, +this is Colonel Stevens." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip responded swiftly, "Yes, sir!" Stevens was the +top Planeteer, commanding officer of all the Special +Order Squadrons. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We've piped this circuit into every channel in +the system," the colonel said. "Every Planeteer in +the Squadrons is listening, and rooting for you. Is +there anything we can do?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes, sir," Rip replied. "Do you know if Terra +base has plotted our course this far?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was a brief silence, then the colonel answered, +"Yes, Foster. We have a complete track from +the time you started showing on the Terra screens, +about halfway between the orbits of Mars and earth." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Did you just get our change of direction?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. We're following you on the screens." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Then, sir, I'd appreciate it if you'd put the calculators +to work and make a time-distance plot for +the next few hours. The blast we're saving to push +back to safety is about three kilotons. Let us know +the last moment when we can fire and still get free<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of Sol's gravity." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You'll have it within fifteen minutes. Anything +else, Foster?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Nothing else I can think of, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Then good luck. We'll be standing by." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes, sir. Foster off." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip disconnected and turned up his helmet communicator, +repeating the conversation to his men. +Koa came and stood beside him. "Lieutenant, how +do we set off this next charge?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was only one way. When the time came to +blast, they would be too close to the sun to take to +the boats. The blast had to be set off from the +asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll get underground as far away from the +bomb as we can," Rip said. He surveyed the dark +side, which was rapidly growing less dark. "I think +the second crater will do. Kemp can square it off +on the side toward the blast to give us a vertical +wall to hide behind." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa looked doubtful. "Plenty of radiation left in +those holes, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned mirthlessly. "Radiation is the least +of our problems. I'd rather get an overdose of gamma +than get blasted into space." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A yell rang in his helmet. "Here comes the +Connie!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked up, startled. The Consops cruiser +passed directly overhead, about ten miles away. It<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was decelerating rapidly. Rip wondered why they +hadn't spotted it earlier and realized the Connie had +come from the direction of the hot side. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The enemy cruiser was probably the same one +that had attacked them before. He must have lain +in wait for days, keeping between the sun and Terra. +That way, the screens wouldn't pick him up, since +only a few observatories scanned the sun regularly. +To the observatories, the cruiser would have been +only a tiny speck, too small to be noticed. Or if they +had noticed it, the astronomers probably decided it +was just a very tiny sunspot. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers worked with increased speed. +Kemp welded the final plug into place, then hurried +to the crater from which they would set off the +charge. Dominico and Dowst connected the wires +from the rocket head to a reel of wire and rolled +it toward the crater. Nunez got a hand-driven dynamo +from the supplies and tested it for use in setting +off the charge. Santos stood by the rocket launcher, +with Pederson ready to put another rack of rockets +into the device when necessary. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and Koa watched the Connie cruiser. It decelerated +to a stop for a brief second, then started +moving again, with no jets showing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's the sun pulling," Rip said exultantly. +"They'll have to keep blasting to maintain position." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Consops commander didn't wait to trim ship +against the sun's drag. His air locks opened, clearly<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +visible to Rip and Koa because that side of the +cruiser was brilliant with sunlight. Ten snapper-boats +sped forth. Rip was certain now that this was +the enemy cruiser they had fought off back in the +asteroid belt. Two Connie snapper-boats had been +destroyed in that clash, which explained why the +commander was sending out only ten boats, instead +of the full quota of twelve. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The squadron instantly formed a V, like a strange +space letter made up of globes. The sun's gravity +pulled at them, dragging them off course. Rip +watched as flames poured from their stern tubes. +They were firing full speed ahead, but the drag of +the sun distorted their line of flight into a great arc. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip saw the strategy instantly. The Connie commander +knew the situation exactly, and he was staking +everything in one great gamble, sending his +snapper-boats to land on the asteroid—to crash land +if necessary. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid was so close to the sun that even the +powerful fighting rockets would use most of their +fuel in simply combatting its gravity. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"All hands stand by to repel Connies," Rip shouted, +and drew his pistol. He looked into the magazine, +saw that he had a full clip, and then charged +the weapon. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos was crouched over the rocket launcher, his +space gloves working rapidly as he kept the rockets +pointed at the enemy. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip called, "Santos, fire at will." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers formed a skirmish line which pivoted +on the launcher. Only Kemp remained at work. +His torch flared, slicing through the thorium as he +prepared their firing position. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The atomic charge was ready. The wires had been +laid up to the rim of the crater in which Kemp +worked, and the dynamo was attached. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was everywhere, checking on the launcher, on +Kemp, on the pistols of his men. And Santos, +hunched over his illuminated sight, watched the +Connie snapper-boats draw near. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Here we go," the Filipino corporal muttered. He +pressed the trigger. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The first rocket sped outward in a sweeping curve, +and for a moment Rip opened his mouth to yell at +Santos. The sun's gravity affected the attack rockets, +too! Then he saw that the corporal had allowed for +the sun's pull. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The rocket curved into the squadron of oncoming +boats and they all tried to dodge at once. Two +of them met in a sideways crash, then a third staggered +as its stern globe flared and exploded. Santos +had scored a hit! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip called, "Good shooting!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The corporal's reply was rueful, "Sir, that wasn't +the one I aimed at. The sun's pull is worse than I +figured." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The damaged snapper-boat instantly blasted from<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +its nose tubes, decelerated and went into reverse, +flipping through space crabwise as it tried to regain +the safety of the cruiser. The two boats that had +crashed while trying to dodge were blasting in great +spurts of flame, following the example of their damaged +companion. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Seven left," Rip called, and another rocket +flashed on its way. He followed its trail as it curved +away from the asteroid and into the squadron. Its +proximity fuse detonated in the exhaust of a Connie +boat, blowing the tube out of position. The boat +yawed wildly, cut its stern tubes, and blasted to a +stop from the bow tube. Then it, too, started backward +toward the cruiser. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Six left! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Flame blossomed a few yards from Rip. He was +picked up bodily and flung into space, whirling end +over end. Koa's voice rang in his helmet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Watch it! They're firing back!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip tugged frantically at an air bottle in his belt. +He pulled it out and used it to whirl him upright +again, then its air blast drove him back to the surface +of the asteroid. Sweat poured from his forehead +and the suit ventilator whined as it worked to pick +up the extra moisture. Great Cosmos! That was +close. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa called, "All right, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos fired again, twice, in rapid succession. The<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Connie snapper-boats scattered as the proximity +fuses produced flowers of fire among them. Two +near misses, but they threw the enemy off course. +Rip watched tensely as the boats fought to regain +their course. He knew asteroid, cruiser, and boats +were speeding toward the sun at close to 50 miles +a second, and the drag was getting terrific. The Connies +knew it too. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was an exultant yell from the Planeteers +as two of the boats gave up and turned back, using +full power to regain the safety of the mother ship. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Four left, and they were getting close! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos scored a direct hit on the nose of the nearest +one, but its momentum drove it within a few +yards of the asteroid. Five space-suited figures erupted +from it, holding hand propulsion units, tubes of +rocket fuel used for hand combat in empty space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connies lit off their propulsion tubes and +drove feet first for the asteroid. The Planeteers estimated +where the enemy would land, and were there +waiting with pointed handguns. The Connies had +their hands over their heads, holding the propulsion +tubes. They took one look at the gleaming Planeteer +guns and their hands stayed upright. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers lashed the Connies' hands behind +them with their own safety lines and, at Rip's orders, +dumped all but one of them into the crater where +Kemp was just finishing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Three snapper-boats remained. Rip watched, holding<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tightly to the arm of the Connie he had kept at +his side. The man wore the insignia of an officer. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The remaining snapper-boats were going to make +it. Santos threw rockets among them and scored hits, +but the boats kept coming. The Connies were too +far away from the cruiser to return, and they knew +it. Getting to the asteroid was their only chance. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip called, "Santos. Cease fire. Set the launcher +for ground level. Let them land, but don't fire until +I give the word." He hoped his plan would work. +Experience back in the asteroid belt had taught him +something about Connies. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He put his helmet against his prisoner's for direct +communication. "You speak English?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The man shouted back, "Yes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Good. We're going to let your friends land. As +soon as they do, I want you to yell to them. Say we +have assault rockets trained on them. Tell them to +surrender or they'll be killed in their tracks. Got +that?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie replied, "Suppose I refuse?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip put his space knife against the man's stomach. +"Then we'll get them with rockets. But you won't +care because you won't know it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The truth was, Santos couldn't hope to get them +all with his rockets. They might overcome the Connies +in hand-to-hand fighting, but there would be a +cost to pay in Planeteer casualties. Rip hoped the +Connie wouldn't call his bluff, because that's all it<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was. He couldn't use a space knife on an unarmed +prisoner. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie didn't know that. In Rip's place he +would have no compunctions about using the knife, +so instead of calling Rip's bluff he agreed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The snapper-boats blew their front tubes, decelerating, +and squashed down to the asteroid in a roar +of exhaust flames, sending the Planeteers running +out of the way. Rip thrust harder with his space +knife and yelled, "Tell them!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie officer nodded. "Turn up my communicator." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned it on full, and the Connie barked quick +instructions. The exhausts died and five men filed +out of each boat with hands held high. Rip blew a +drop of perspiration from the tip of his nose. Empty +space! It was a good thing Connie morale was bad. +The enemy's willingness to surrender had saved +them a costly fight. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers rounded up the prisoners and +secured them while Rip took an anxious look at the +communicator. It was about time he heard from +Terra base. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The light was glowing. For all he knew, it might +have been glowing for many minutes. He plugged +into the circuit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This is Foster on the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Terra base to Foster. Listen, you will reach optimum +position on the time-distance curve at twenty-three-oh-six.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Repeat back, twenty-three-oh-six." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Got it. We will reach optimum position at +twenty-three-oh-six." He looked at his chronometer +and his pulse stopped. It was 2258! They had just +eight minutes before the sun caught them forever, +atomic blast or no! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And the Connie cruiser was still overhead, with +no friendly cruisers in sight. He looked up, white-faced. +Not only was the Connie still there, but its +main air lock was sliding open to disclose a new +danger. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the opening, ready to launch, an assault boat +waited. The assault boats were something only the +Connies used. They were about four times the size +of a snapper-boat, less maneuverable but more powerful. +They carried 20 men and a pair of guided +missiles with atomic warheads! +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc41" id="toc41"></a> +<a name="pdf42" id="pdf42"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Fifteen - The Rocketeers</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip ran for the snapper-boat, feet moving as rapidly +as lack of gravity would permit. He called instructions. +"Santos! Turn the launcher over to Pederson +and come with me. Koa, take over. Start throwing +rockets at that boat and don't stop until you run +out of ammunition." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reached the snapper-boat and squeezed in, +Santos close behind him. As he strapped himself into +the seat he called, "Koa! Get this, and get it straight. +At twenty-three-oh-five, fire the bomb. Fire it whether +I'm back or not. Got that?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa replied, "Got it, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +That would give the Planeteers a minute's leeway. +Not much of a safety margin, especially when he +wasn't sure how much power the improvised atomic +charge would produce. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He plugged into the snapper-boat's communicator +and called, "Ready, Santos?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ready, Lieutenant." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He braced himself against acceleration and flipped +the speed control to full power. The fighting rocket +rammed out from the asteroid, snapping him back +against the seat. He made a quick check. Gunsight<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on, fuel tanks almost full, propulsion tubes racked +handy to his hand, space patches ready to be grabbed +and slapped on in case an enemy shot holed helmet +or suit. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They drove toward the enemy cruiser at top speed, +swerving in a great arc as the sun pulled at them. +The enemy's big boat was out of the ship, its jets +firing as it started for the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip leaned over his illuminated gunsight. The +boat showed up clearly, the rings of the sight framing +it. He estimated distance and the pull of the sun, +then squeezed the trigger on the speed control handle. +The cannon in the nose spat flame. He watched +tensely and saw the charge explode on the hull of +the Connie cruiser. He had underestimated the sun's +drag. He compensated and tried again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He missed. Now that he was closer and the charge +had less distance to travel, he had overestimated the +sun's effect. He gritted his teeth. The next shot +would be at close range. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The fighting rocket closed space, and the landing +boat loomed large in the sight. He fired again and +the shot blew metal loose from the top of the boat's +hull. A hit, but not good enough. He leaned over +the sight to fire again, but before he had sighted an +explosion blew the landing boat completely around. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa and Pederson had scored a hit from the asteroid! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The big boat fired its side jets and spun around<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on course again. Flame bloomed from its side as +Connie gunners tried to get the range on the snapper-boat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was within reach now. He fired at point-blank +range and flashed over the boat as its front end exploded. +Santos, firing from the rear, hit it again as +the snapper-boat passed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip threw the rocket into a turn that rammed +him against the top of his harness. He steadied on +a line with the crippled Connie craft. It was hard +hit. The bow jets flickered fitfully, and the stern +tubes were dead. He sighted, fired. A charge hit the +boat aft and blew its stern tubes off completely. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And at the same moment, a Connie gunner got +a perfect bead on the snapper-boat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Space blew up in Rip's face. The snapper-boat +slewed wildly as the Connie shot took effect. Rip +worked his controls frantically, trying to straighten +the rocket out more by instinct than anything else. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His eyes recovered from the blinding flash and +he gulped as he saw the raw, twisted metal where +the boat's nose had been. He managed to correct the +boat's twisting by using the stern tubes, but he was +no longer in full control. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For a moment panic gripped him. Without full +control he couldn't get back to the asteroid! Then +he forced himself to steady down. He sized up the +situation. They were still underway, the stern tubes +pushing, but their trajectory would take them right<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +under the crippled Connie boat. The sun was blazing +into the fighting rocket with such intensity that +he had trouble seeing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was nothing he could do but pass close to +the Connie. The enemy gunners would fire, but he +had to take his chances. He looked down at the asteroid +and saw an orange trail as Koa launched another +rocket. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The shot from the asteroid ticked the bottom of +the Connie boat and exploded. The Connie rolled +violently. Tubes flared as the pilot fought to correct +the roll. He slowed the spinning as Rip and Santos +passed, just long enough for a Connie gunner to get +in a final shot. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The shell struck directly under Rip. He felt himself +pushed violently upward, and at the same moment +he reacted, by hunch and not by reason. He +rammed the controls full ahead and the dying rocket +cut space, curving slowly as flaming fuel spurted +from the ruptured tanks. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip yelled, "Santos! You all right?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I think so. Lieutenant, we're on fire!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I know it. Get ready to abandon ship." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When the main mass of fuel caught, the rocket +would become an inferno. Rip smashed at the escape +hatch above his head, grabbed propulsion tubes from +the rack and called, "Now!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pulled the release on his harness, stood up on +the seat, and thrust with all his leg power. He catapulted<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +out of the burning snapper-boat into space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos followed a second later and the crippled +rocket twisted wildly under the two Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Don't use the propulsion tubes," Rip called. +"Slow down with your air bottles." He thrust the +tubes into his belt, found his air bottles, and pointed +two of them in the direction they had been traveling. +He wanted to come to a stop, to let the wild snapper-boat +get away from them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The compressed air bottles did the trick. He and +Santos slowed down as the little jets overcame the +inertia that was taking them along with the burning +boat. The boat was spiraling now, and burning freely. +It moved away from them, its stern jets firing +weakly as fuel burned in the tank. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip took a look toward the enemy cruiser. The +assault boat was no longer showing an exhaust. Instead, +it was being dragged rapidly away from the +Connie cruiser by the pull of the sun. At least they +had hit it in time to prevent launching of the atomic +guided missiles. Or, he thought, perhaps the enemy +had never intended using them. The principal effect, +besides killing the Planeteers, would have been to +drive the asteroid into the sun at an even faster rate. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The enemy assault boat was no longer a menace. +Its occupants would be lucky if they succeeded in +saving their own lives. +</p> + +<a name="fig43" id="fig43"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image13.png" width="640" height="1020" alt="Illustration: Rip and Santos Fell Through Space" title="Rip and Santos Fell Through Space" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">Rip and Santos Fell Through Space</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip wondered what the Connie cruiser commander +would try now. Only one thing remained, and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +that was to set the cruiser down on the asteroid. If +the Connie tried, he would arrive at just about the +time set for releasing the nuclear charge. And that +would be the end of the cruiser—and probably of +the Planeteers as well. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos asked coolly, "Lieutenant, wouldn't you +say we're in sort of a bad spot?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had been so busy sizing up the situation that +he hadn't thought about his own predicament. Now +he looked down and suddenly realized that he was +floating free in space, a considerable distance above +the asteroid, and with only small propulsion tubes +for power. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He gasped, "Great space! We're in a mess, Santos." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Filipino corporal asked, still in a calm voice, +"How long before we're dragged into the sun, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stared. Santos had used the same tone he +might have used in asking for a piece of Venusian +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">chru</span></span>. An officer couldn't be less calm, so Rip replied +in a voice he hoped was casual, "I wouldn't worry, +Santos. We won't know it. The heat will get through +our suits long before then." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In fact, the heat should be overloading their ventilating +systems right now. In a few minutes the +cooling elements would break down and that would +be the end. He listened for the accelerated whine as +the ventilating system struggled under the increased +heat load, and heard nothing. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Funny. Had it overloaded and given out already?<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +No, that was impossible. He would be feeling the +heat on his body if that were the case. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He looked for an explanation and realized for the +first time that they weren't in the sunlight at all. +They were in darkness. His searching glance told +him they were in the cone of shadow stretching out +from behind the asteroid. The thorium rock was +between them and the sun! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His lips moved soundlessly. Major Joe Barris had +been right! <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">In a jam, trust your hunch.</span></span> He had acted +instinctively, not even thinking what he was doing +as he used the last full power of the stern tubes to +throw them into the shadow cone. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And he knew in the same moment that it could +save their lives. The sun's pull would only accelerate +their fall toward the asteroid. He said exultantly, +"We're staying out of high vack, Santos. Light off a +propulsion tube. Let's get back to the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pulled a tube from his belt, held it above his +head, and thumbed the striker mechanism. The tube +flared, pushing downward on his hand. He held +steady and plummeted feet first toward the rock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos was only a few seconds behind him. Rip +saw the corporal's tube flare and knew that everything +was all right, at least for the moment, even +though the asteroid was still a long way down. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He looked upward at the Connie cruiser and saw +that it was moving. Its exhaust increased in length +and deepened slightly in color as Rip watched, his<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +forehead creased in a frown. What was the Connie +up to? +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then he saw side jets flare out from the projecting +control tubes and knew the ship was maneuvering. +Rip realized suddenly that the cruiser was going to +pick up the crippled assault boat. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He hadn't expected such a humane move after his +first meeting with the Connie cruiser when the commander +had been willing to sacrifice his own men. +This time, however, there was a difference, he saw. +The commander would lose nothing by picking up +the assault boat, and he would save a few men. Rip +supposed that manpower meant something, even to +Consops. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His propulsion tube reached brennschluss, and +for a few moments he watched, checking his speed +and direction. Then, before he lit off another tube, +he checked his chronometer. The illuminated dial +registered 2301. They had just four minutes to get +to the asteroid! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He spoke swiftly. "Waste no time in lighting off, +Santos. That nuclear charge goes in four minutes!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Filipino corporal said merely, "Yessir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip pulled a tube from his belt, held it overhead, +and triggered it. His flight through space speeded +up but he wasn't at all sure they would make it. He +turned up his helmet communicator to full power +and called, "Koa, can you hear me?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The sergeant-major's reply was faint in his helmet.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +"I hear you weakly. Do you hear me?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Same way," Rip replied. "Get this, Koa. Don't +fail to explode that charge at twenty-three-oh-five. +Can you see us?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The reply was very slightly stronger. "I will explode +the charge as ordered, Lieutenant. We can see +a pair of rocket exhausts, but no boats. Is that you?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. We're coming in on propulsion tubes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa waited for a long moment, then: "Sir, what +if you're not with us by twenty-three-oh-five?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You know the answer," Rip retorted crisply. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Of course Koa knew. The nuclear blast would +send Rip and Santos spinning into outer space, perhaps +crippled, burned, or completely irradiated. But +the lives of two men couldn't delay the blast that +would save the lives of eight others, not counting +prisoners. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip estimated his speed and course and the distance +to the asteroid. He was increasingly sure that +they wouldn't make it, and the knowledge was like +the cold of space in his stomach. It would be close, +but not close enough. A minute would make all the +difference. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +For a few heartbeats he almost called Koa and told +him to wait that extra minute, to explode the nuclear +charge at 2306, at the very last second. But even +Planeteer chronometers could be off by a few seconds +and he couldn't risk it. His men had to be given +some leeway. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The decision made, he put his mind to the problem. +There must be some way out. There must be! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He surveyed the asteroid. The nuclear charge was +on his left side, pretty close to the sun line. At least +he and Santos could angle to the right, to get as far +away from the blast as possible. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The edge of the asteroid's shadow was barely visible. +That it was visible at all was due to the minute +particles of matter and gas that surrounded the sun, +even millions of miles out into space. He reduced +helmet power and told Santos, "Angle to the right. +Get as close to the edge of shadow as you can without +being cooked." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As an afterthought, he asked, "How many tubes +do you have?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"One after this, sir. I had three." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip also had one left. That was correct, because +snapper-boats carried three in each man's position. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Save the one you have left," he ordered. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He didn't know yet what use they would be, but +it was always a good idea to have some kind of +reserve. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie cruiser was sliding up to the crippled +assault boat. Rip took a quick look, then shifted his +hands, and angled toward the edge of shadow. When +he was within a few feet he reversed the direction +of the tube to keep from shooting out into sunlight. +A second or two later the tube burned out. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos was several yards away and slightly above<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him. Rip saw that the Planeteer was all right and +turned his attention to the cruiser once more. It was +close enough to the assault boat to haul it in with +grappling hooks. The hooks emerged and engaged +the torn metal of the boat, then drew it into the +waiting port. The massive air door slid closed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The question was, would the Connie try to set his +ship down on the asteroid? Rip grinned without +mirth. Now would be a fine time. His chronometer +showed a minute and half to blast time. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He took another look at his own situation. He and +Santos were getting close to the asteroid, but there +was still over a half mile earth distance to go. They +would cover perhaps three-fourths of that distance +before Koa fired the charge. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He had a daring idea. How long could he and +Santos last in direct sunlight? The effect of the sun +in the open was powerful enough to make lead run +like water. Their suits could absorb some heat and +the ventilating system could take care of quite a lot. +They might last as much as three minutes, with luck. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They had to take a risk with the full knowledge +that the odds were against them. But if they didn't +take the risk, the blast would push them outward +from the asteroid-into full sunlight. The end result +would be the same. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We're not going to make it, Santos," he began. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I know it, sir," Santos replied. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip thought, anyone with that much coolness and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +sheer nerve rated some kind of special treatment. +And the Filipino corporal had shown his ability time +and time again. He said, "I should have known you +knew, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sergeant</span></span> Santos. We still have a slight chance. +When I give the word, use an air bottle to push you +into the sunlight. When I give the word again, light +off your remaining tube." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir," Santos replied. "Thank you for the promotion. +I hope I live to collect the extra rating." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Same here," Rip agreed fervently. His eyes were +on his chronometer, and with his free hand he took +another air bottle. When the chronometer registered +exactly one minute before blast time, he called, +"Now!" He triggered the bottle and moved from +shadow into glaring sunlight. A slight motion of the +bottle turned him so his back was to the sun, then +he used the remaining compressed air to push him +downward along the edge of shadow. The sun's gravity +tugged at him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pulled the last tube from his belt and held +it ready while he watched his chronometer creep +around. With five seconds to go, he called to Santos +and fired it. Acceleration pushed at him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the same moment, the nuclear charge exploded. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc44" id="toc44"></a> +<a name="pdf45" id="pdf45"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Sixteen - Ride the Gray Planet!</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A mighty hand reached out and shoved Rip, +sweeping him through space like a dust mote. He +clutched his propulsion tube with both hands and +fought to hold it steady. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He swiveled his head quickly, searching for Santos, +and saw the Filipino a dozen rods away, still +holding fast to his tube. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +From the far horizon of the asteroid the incandescent +fire of the nuclear blast stretched into space, +turning from silver to orange to red as it cooled. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew they had escaped the heat and blast of +the explosion, but there was a question of how +much of the prompt radiation they had absorbed. +During the first few seconds, a nuclear blast vomited +gamma radiation and neutrons in all directions. He +and Santos certainly had gotten plenty. But how +much? Putting their dosimeters into a measuring +meter aboard a cruiser would tell them. His low-level +colorimeter had long since reached maximum +red, and his high-level dosimeter could be read only +on a measuring device. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Meanwhile, he had other worries. Radiation had +no immediate effect. At worst, it would be a few<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hours before he felt any symptoms. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As he sized up his position and that of the asteroid, +he let out a yell of triumph. His gamble would +succeed! He had estimated that going into the direct +gravity pull of the sun at the proper moment, and +lighting off their last tubes, would put them into a +landing position. The asteroid was swerving rapidly, +moving into a new orbit that would intersect the +course he and Santos were on. He had planned on +the asteroid's change of orbit. In a minute at most +they would be back on the rock. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His propulsion tube flared out and he released it. +It would travel along with him, but his hands would +be free. He watched closely as the asteroid drew +nearer and estimated they would land with plenty +of room to spare. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then he saw something else. The blast had started +the asteroid turning! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reacted instantly. Turning up his communicator +he yelled, "Koa! The rock is spinning! Cut the +prisoners loose, grab the equipment, and run for it! +You'll have to keep running to stay in the shadow. +If sunlight hits those fuel tanks or the tubes of +rocket fuel, they'll explode!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa replied tersely, "Got it. We're moving." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers and their prisoners would have to +move fast, running to stay out of direct sunlight. A +moment or two in the sun wouldn't hurt the men, +but the chemical fuels in the cutting tanks and rocket<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tubes would explode in a matter of seconds. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +At least the Connie cruiser couldn't harm them +now, Rip thought grimly. He looked for the cruiser +and failed to find it for several seconds. It had moved. +He finally saw its exhausts some distance away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He forgot his own predicament in a grin. The +Connie cruiser had moved, but not because its commander +had wanted to. It had been right in the path +of the nuclear blast, although some distance from it. +The Connie had been literally shoved away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then Rip forgot the cruiser. His suit ventilator +was whining under the terrific heat and his whole +body was bathed in perspiration. The sun was getting +them. It was only a short time until the ventilator +overloaded and burned out. They had to +reach the asteroid before then. The trouble was, +there was nothing further he could do about it. He +had only air bottles left, and their blast was so weak +that the effect wouldn't speed him up much. Nevertheless, +he called to Santos and directed him to use +his bottles. Then he did the same. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos spoke up. "Sir, we're going to make it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +In the same instant, Rip saw that they would land +on the dark side. The asteroid was turning over and +over, and for a second he had the impression he was +looking at a turning globe of the earth, the kind +used in elementary school back home. But this gray +planet was scarcely bigger than the giant globe at +the entrance of the Space Council building on Terra. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The gray metal world suddenly leaped into sharp +focus and seemed to rush toward him. It was an +optical illusion. The ability of the eyes to perceive +depth sharply—the faculty known as depth perception—didn't +appear to operate normally until the +eyes were within a certain distance of an object. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He knew he was going to hit hard. The way to +keep from being hurt was to turn the vertical energy +of his arrival into motion in another direction. As +he swept down to the metal surface he started running, +his legs pumping wildly in space. He hit with +a bone-jarring thud, lost his footing and fell sideways, +both hands cradling his helmet. He got to his +feet instantly and looked for Santos. A good thing +his equipment was shock-mounted, he thought. Otherwise +the communicator would be knocked for a +line of galaxies. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You all right, sir?" Santos called anxiously. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes. Are you?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm fine. I think the others are over there." He +pointed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll find them," Rip said. His hip hurt like fury +from smashing against the unyielding metal, and the +worst part was that he couldn't rub it. The blow +had been strong enough to hurt through the heavy +fabric and air pressure, but his hand wasn't strong +enough to compress the suit. Just the same, he tried. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And while he was trying, he found himself in +direct sunlight! +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He had forgotten to run. Standing still on the +asteroid meant turning with it, from darkness into +sunlight and back again. He yelled at Santos and +legged it out of there, moving in long, gliding steps. +He regained the shadow and kept going. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The first order of business was to stop the rock +from turning. Otherwise they couldn't live on it. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew that they had only one means of stopping +the spin. That was to use the tubes of rocket +fuel left over from correcting the course. They had +three tubes left, but he didn't know if that was +enough to do the job. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Moving rapidly, he and Santos caught up to Koa +and the Planeteers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie prisoners were pretty well bunched +up, gliding along like a herd of fantastic sheep. Their +shepherds were Pederson, Nunez, and Dowst. The +three Planeteers had a pistol in each hand. The +spares were probably those taken from prisoners. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Planeteers were loaded down with equipment. +A few Connie prisoners carried equipment, +too. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Trudeau had the rocket launcher and the remaining +rockets. Kemp had his torch and two tanks of +oxygen. Bradshaw had tied his safety line to the +squat containers of chemical fuel for the torch and +was towing them behind like strange balloons. The +only trouble with that system, Rip thought, was that +Bradshaw could stop, but the containers would have<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a tendency to keep going. Unless the English Planeteer +were skillful, his burdens would drag him +right off his feet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico had a tube of rocket fuel under each +arm. The Italian was small and the tubes were +bulky. Each was about ten feet long and two feet in +diameter. With any gravity or air resistance at all, +the Italian couldn't have carried even one. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip smiled as Dominico glided along. He looked +as though the tubes were floating him over the asteroid, +instead of the other way around. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos took the radiation detection instruments +and the case with the astrogation equipment from +Koa. Rip greeted his men briefly, then took his +computing board and began figuring. He knew the +men were glad he and Santos had made it. But they +kept their greetings short. A spinning asteroid was +no place for long and sentimental speeches. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He remembered the dimensions of the asteroid +and its mass. He computed its inertia, then figured +out what it would take to overcome the inertia of +the spin. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The mathematics would have been simple under +normal conditions, but doing them on the run, trying +to watch his step at the same time, made things +a little complicated. He had to hold the board under +his arm, run alongside Santos while the new sergeant +held the case open, select the book he wanted, open +it and try to read the tables by his belt light and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +then transfer the data to the board. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +His ventilator had quieted down once he got into +the darkness, but now it started whining slightly +again because he was sweating profusely. Finally he +figured out the thrust needed to stop the spin. Now +all he had to do was compute how much fuel it +would take. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He had figures on the amount of thrust given by +the kind of rocket fuel in the tubes. He also knew +how much fuel each tube contained. But the figures +were not in his head. They were on reference sheets. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He collected the data on the fly, slowing down +now and then to read something, until a yell from +Santos or Koa warned that the sun line was creeping +close. When he had all data noted on the board, +he started his mathematics. He was right in the middle +of a laborious equation when he stumbled over +a thorium crystal. He went headlong, shooting like +a rocket three feet above the ground. His board flew +away at a tangent. His stylus sped out of his glove +like a miniature projectile, and the slide rule clanged +against his bubble. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It happened so fast neither Koa nor Santos had +time to grab him. The action had given him extra +speed and he saw with horror that he was going to +crash into Trudeau. He yelled, "Frenchy! Watch +out!" Then put both hands before him to protect +his helmet. His hands caught the French Planeteer +between the shoulders with a bone-jarring thud. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc46" id="toc46"></a> +<a name="pdf47" id="pdf47"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Seventeen - The Archer and the Eagle</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Trudeau held tight to the launcher, but the rocket +racks opened and spilled attack rockets into space. +They flew in a dozen different directions. Trudeau +gave vent to his feelings in colorful French. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa and Santos laughed so hard they had trouble +collecting the scattered equipment. Rip, slowed by +his crash with Trudeau, got his feet under him again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid had turned into the sun before they +collected everything but Rip's stylus and five attack +rockets. The space-pencil was the only thing that +could write on the computing board. It had to be +found. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Next time around," Rip called to the others, and +led the way full speed ahead until they regained the +safety of shadow. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip suspected the stylus was somewhere above the +rock and probably wouldn't return to the surface for +some minutes. While he was wondering what to do, +there was a chorus of yells. A rocket sped between +the Planeteers and shot off into space. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Our own rockets are after us," Trudeau gasped. +There hadn't been time to collect them all after +Rip's unwilling attack on the Frenchman scattered<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +them. Now the sun was setting them off. Another +flashed past, fortunately over their heads. The sun's +heat was causing them to fire unevenly. Rip hoped +they would all go off soon and get it over with. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Three more to go," Koa called. "Watch out!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Only two went, and they were far enough away +to offer no danger. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos had been fishing around in the instrument +case. He triumphantly produced another stylus. "It +was under the sextant," he explained. "I thought +there was another one around somewhere." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"If we get through this I'll propose you for ten +more stripes," Rip vowed. "We'll make you the +highest ranking sergeant that ever made a private's +life miserable." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Working slowly but more safely, Rip figured that +slightly more than two and a half tubes would do +the trick. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Now to fire them. That meant finding a thorium +crystal properly placed and big enough. There were +plenty of crystals, so that was no problem. The next +step was for Kemp to cut holes with his torch, so +that the thrust of the rocket fuel would be counter +to the direction in which the asteroid was spinning. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip explained to all hands what had to be done. +The burden would fall on Kemp, who would need +a helper. Rip took that job himself. He took one +oxygen tank from Kemp. Koa took the other, leaving +the torchman with only his torch. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then Rip took a container of chemical fuel from +Bradshaw. Working while running, he lashed the +two containers together with his safety line. Then +he improvised a rope sling so they could hang on +his back. He wanted his hands free. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp, meanwhile, assembled his torch and put +the proper cutting nozzle in place. When he was +ready, he moved to Rip's side and connected the +hoses of the torch to the tanks the lieutenant carried. +Kemp had the torch mechanism strapped to his own +back. It was essentially a high pressure pump that +drew oxygen and fuel from the tanks and forced +them through the nozzle under terrific pressure. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When he had finished, he pressed the trigger that +started the cutting torch going. The fuel ignited +about a half inch in front of the nozzle. The nozzle +had two holes in it, one for oxygen and the other +for fuel. The holes were placed and angled to keep +the flame always a half inch away, otherwise the +nozzle itself would melt. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How do we work this?" Kemp asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll get ahead of the others," Rip explained. +"Keep up speed until we're running at the forward +sun line. Then, when the crystal we want comes +around into the shadow, we can stop running and +work until it spins into the sunshine again." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Got it," Kemp agreed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip estimated the axis on which the asteroid was +spinning and selected a crystal in the right position.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +He had to be careful, otherwise their counter-blast +might do nothing more than start the gray planet +wobbling. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He and Kemp ran ahead of the others. The Planeteers +and their prisoners were running at a speed +that kept them right in the middle of the dark area. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It was like running on a treadmill. The Planeteers +were making good speed, but were actually +staying in the same place relative to the sun's position, +keeping the turning asteroid between them and +the sun. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and Kemp ran forward until they were right +at the sun line. Then they slowed down, holding +position and waiting for the crystal they had chosen +to reach them. As it came across the sun line into +darkness they stopped running and rode the crystal +through the shadow until it reached the sun again. +Then the two Planeteers ran back across the dark +zone to meet the crystal as it came around again. +There was only a few minutes' working time each +revolution. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp worked fast, and the first hole deepened. +Rip helped as best he could by pushing away the +chunks of thorium that Kemp cut free, but it was +essentially a one-man job. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As Kemp neared the bottom of the first hole, Rip +reviewed his plan and realized he had overlooked +something. These weren't nuclear bombs; they were +simple tubes of chemical fuel. The tubes wouldn't<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg 216]</span><a name="Pg216" id="Pg216" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +destroy the hole Kemp was cutting. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He reached a quick decision and called Koa to +join them. Koa appeared as Kemp pulled his torch +from the hole and started running again to avoid +the sun. Rip and Koa ran right along with him, +crossing the dark zone to meet the crystal as it came +around again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"There's no reason to drill three holes," Rip explained +as they ran. "We'll use one hole for all three +charges. They don't have to be fired all at once." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How do we fire them?" Koa asked. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Electrically. Who has the exploders and the hand +dynamo?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Dowst has the exploders. One of the Connies is +carrying the dynamo." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Speaking of the Connies ... Rip hadn't seen the +Consops cruiser recently. He looked up, searching +for its exhaust, and finally found it, a faint line some +distance away. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie commander was stalemated for the +time being. He couldn't land his cruiser on a spinning +asteroid, and he had no more boats. Rip thought +he probably was just waiting around for any opportunity +that might present itself. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Federation cruisers should be arriving. He +studied his chronometer. No, the nearest one, the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> from Mercury, wasn't due for another ten +minutes or so. He turned up his helmet communicator +and ordered all hands to watch for the exhaust<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of a nuclear drive cruiser, then turned it down again +and gave Koa instructions. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Have Trudeau turn his load over to a Connie +and collect the exploders and the dynamo. We'll +need wire, too. Who has that?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Another Connie." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get a reel. Cut off a few hundred feet and connect +the dynamo to one end and an exploder to the +other." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The crystal came around again and Kemp got to +work. Rip stood by, again reviewing all steps. They +couldn't afford to make a mistake. He had no margin +of error. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Kemp finished the hole a few seconds before the +crystal turned into the sunlight again. Rip told him +to keep the torch going. There might be some last +minute cutting to do. Then the lieutenant hurried +off at an angle to where Dominico was plodding +along with the fuel tubes. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa had turned the tube he carried over to a +Connie. Rip got it, and told Dominico to follow him. +Then he angled back across the asteroid to where +Kemp was holding position. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The asteroid turned twice before Koa arrived. He +had a coil of wire slung over his arm and he carried +the dynamo in one hand and an exploder in the +other, the two connected by the wire. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip took the exploder. "Uncoil the wire," he directed. +"Go to its full length at right angles to the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hole. We have to time this exactly right. When the +crystal comes around again, I'll shove the tube into +the hole, then scurry for cover. When I'm clear I'll +yell and you pump the dynamo. Dominico and Kemp +stay with Koa. Make sure no one is in the way of +the blast." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa unreeled the wire, moving away from Rip. +The lieutenant pushed the exploder into one end of +the fuel tube and crimped it tightly with his gloved +hand. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa and the others were as far away as they could +get now, the wire stretching between them and Rip. +Kemp had made sure no one was running near the +line of blast. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched for the crystal. It would be coming +around any second now. He held the tube with the +exploder projecting behind him, ready for the hole +to appear. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa's voice echoed in his helmet. "All set, Lieutenant." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"So am I," Rip answered. "Stand by." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The crystal appeared across the sun line and +moved toward him. He met it, slowed his speed, put +the end of the tube into the hole and shoved. Kemp +had allowed enough clearance. The tube slid into +place. Rip turned and angled off as fast as he could +glide. When he was far enough away from the blast +line he called, "Fire!" +</p> + +<a name="fig48" id="fig48"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image14.png" width="640" height="982" alt="Illustration: "Fire!" Called Rip" title=""Fire!" Called Rip" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"Fire!" Called Rip</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa squeezed the dynamo handle. The machine<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg 220]</span><a name="Pg220" id="Pg220" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +whined and current shot through the wire. A column +of orange fire spurted from the crystal. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip watched the stars instead of the exhaust. He +kept running as it burned soundlessly. In air, the +noise would have deafened him. In airless space, +there was nothing to carry the sound. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The apparent motion of the stars was definitely +slowing. The spinning wouldn't cease entirely, but +it would slow down enough to give them more time +to work. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The tube reached brennschluss and Rip called +orders. "Same process. Get ready to repeat. Dominico, +bring one of your tubes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +While Koa was connecting another exploder to +the wire, Rip took a tube from Dominico. "Take +your space knife and saw through the tube you have +left. We'll need about three-fifths of it. Keep both +pieces." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Dominico pulled his knife, pressed the release, +and the gas capsule shot the blade out. He got to +work. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa called that he was ready. Rip took the wired +exploder from him and thrust it into the tube Dominico +had given him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +As the crystal came around again, the process was +repeated. The hole was undamaged. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was more time to get clear because of the +asteroid's slower speed. The second tube slowed the +rock even more, so that they had to wait long minutes<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg 221]</span><a name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +while the crystal came around again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip did some estimating. He wanted to be sure +the next charge would do nothing more than slow +the asteroid to a stop. If the charge were too heavy, +it would reverse the spin. He didn't want to make +a career of running on the asteroid. He was tired +and he knew his men were getting weary, too. He +could see it in their strides—they were less sure o£ +foot. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He decided it would be best to use a little less +fuel rather than a little more. If the asteroid failed +to stop its spin completely, they could always set off +a small charge or two. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Hold it," he ordered. "We'll use the small end +of Dominico's tube and save the big one." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The fuel was a solid mass, so cutting the tube in +two sections caused no difficulty. Rip pushed the +exploder into the small section, seated it in the hole, +and hurried to cover. As he watched the fuel burn, +he wondered why the last nuclear charge had started +the spin. He had made a mistake somewhere. The +earlier blasts had been set so they wouldn't cause a +spin. He made a mental note to look at the place +where the charge had exploded when things were +more quiet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The rocket fuel slowed the asteroid down to a +point where it was barely turning, and Rip was glad +he had been cautious. The heavier charge would +have reversed it a little. He directed the placing of<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg 222]</span><a name="Pg222" id="Pg222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a very small charge and was moving away from it so +Koa could set it off when Santos suddenly yelled, +"Sir! The Connie is coming!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip called, "Fire the charge, Koa," then looked +up. The Consops cruiser was moving slowly toward +them. The canny Connie had been waiting for something +to happen on the asteroid, Rip guessed. When +the spinning slowed and then stopped, the Connie +probably had decided that now was the time for a +final try. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Where is the communicator?" Rip asked Koa. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"One of the Connies has it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Get it. I'll notify Terra base of what happened." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa found the Connie with the communicator, +tested it to be sure the prisoner hadn't sabotaged it, +and brought it to Rip. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This is Foster to Terra base. Over." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Come in, Foster." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip explained briefly what had happened and +asked, "How is our orbit? I haven't had time to take +sightings." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You're free of the sun," Terra base answered. +"Your orbit will have to be corrected sometime within +the next few hours. The last blast pushed you off +course." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's a small matter," Rip stated. "Unless we +can think of something fast, this will be a Connie +asteroid by then. The Consops cruiser is moving in +on us. He's careful, because he isn't sure of the situation.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span><a name="Pg223" id="Pg223" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +But even at his present speed he'll be here +in ten minutes." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Stand by." Terra base was silent for a few moments, +then the voice replied. "I think we have an +answer for you, Foster. Terra base off. Go ahead, +MacFife." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A Scottish burr thick enough to saw boards came +out of the communicator. "Foster, this is MacFife, +commander of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span>. Y'can't see me on account +of I'm on yer sunny side. But, lad, I'm closer to ye +than the Connie. We did it this way to keep the +asteroid between us and him. Also, lad, if ye'll take +a look up at Gemini, ye'll see somethin' ye'll like. +Look at Alhena, in the Twins' feet. Then, lad, if +ye'll be patient the while, ye'll have a grandstand +seat for a real big show." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip tilted his bubble back and stared upward at +the constellation of the twins. He said softly, "By +Gemini!" For there, a half degree south of the +star Alhena, was the clean line of a nuclear cruiser's +exhaust. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>, out of Mercury, had +arrived. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He cut the communicator off for a moment and +spoke exultantly to his men. "Stand easy, you hairy +Planeteers. Forget the Connie. He doesn't know it, +but he's caught. He's caught between the Archer and +the Eagle!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc49" id="toc49"></a> +<a name="pdf50" id="pdf50"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span><a name="Pg224" id="Pg224" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Eighteen - Courtesy - with Claws</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>, constellation of the Archer, and <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span>, +constellation of the Eagle, had given the two +Federation patrol cruisers their names. The Eagle +was commanded by a tough Scotsman, and the Archer +by a Frenchman. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Commander MacFife spoke through the communicator. +"Switch bands to universal, lad. Me'n +Galliene are goin' to talk this Connie into a braw +mess. MacFife off." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip guessed that the two cruiser commanders had +been in communication while enroute to the asteroid +and had cooked up some kind of plan. He turned +the band switch to the universal frequency with +which all long-range communicators were equipped. +Each of the earth groups had its own frequency, and +so did the Martians and Jovians. But all could meet +and talk on the universal band. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Special scrambling devices prevented eavesdropping +on regular frequencies, so there was no danger +that the Connie had overheard the plan. Rip wondered +what it was. He knew the cruisers had to be +careful not to cross the thin line that might lead to +war. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page225">[pg 225]</span><a name="Pg225" id="Pg225" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> loomed closer, decelerating with +a tremendous exhaust. The Connie couldn't have +failed to see it, Rip knew. He was right. The Consops +cruiser suddenly blasted more heavily, rushing +in the direction away from the Federation ship. The +direction was toward the asteroid. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And at the same moment, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span> flashed above +the horizon, also decelerating. The Connie was +caught squarely. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A suave voice spoke on the universal band. "This +is Federation <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">SCN Sagittarius</span></span>, calling the Consolidation +cruiser near the asteroid. Please reply." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip waited anxiously. The Connie would hear, +because every control room monitored the universal +band. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A heavy, reluctant voice replied after a pause of +over a minute. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"This is Consolidation cruiser Sixteen. You are +breaking the law, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>. Your missile ports are +open and they are pointing at me. Close them at +once or I will report this." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The suave voice with its hint of French accent +replied, "Ah, my friend! Do not be alarmed. We +have had a slight accident to our control circuit and +the ports are jammed open. We are trying to repair +the situation. But I assure you, we have only the +friendliest of intentions." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip grinned. This was about the same as a man +holding a cocked pistol at another man's head and<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span><a name="Pg226" id="Pg226" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +assuring him it was nothing but a nervous arm that +kept the gun so steady. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie demanded, "What do you want?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The two friendly cruisers were within a few miles +of the Connie now and their blasts were just strong +enough to keep them edging closer, while counteracting +the sun's pull. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The French spaceman spoke reassuringly. "My +friend, we want only the courtesy of space to which +the law entitles us. We have had an unfortunate +accident to our astrogation instruments, and we wish +to come aboard to compare them with yours." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip laughed outright. Every cruiser carried at +least four full sets of instruments. There was as +much chance of all of them being knocked off scale +at once as there was of his biting a cruiser in half +with bare teeth. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife's voice came on the air. "Foster. Switch +to Federation frequency." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip did so. "This is Foster, Commander." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Lad, it's a pity for ye to miss the show. I'm sending +a boat for ye." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The sun will get it!" Rip exclaimed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Never fear, lad. It won't get this one. Now switch +back to universal and listen in." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip did so in time to catch the Connie commander's +voice. "... and I refuse to believe such a story! +Great Cosmos, do you think I am a fool?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Of course not," the Frenchman replied. "You<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page227">[pg 227]</span><a name="Pg227" id="Pg227" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +are not such a fool as to refuse a simple request to +check our instruments." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> commander was right. Rip understood +the strategy. Equipment sometimes did go out +of operation in space, and Connies had no hesitation +in asking Federation cruisers for help, or the other +way around. Such help was always given, because no +commander could be sure when he might need help +himself. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I agree," the Connie commander said with obvious +reluctance. "You may send a boat." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife's Scotch burr broke in. "Federation <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">SCN +Aquila</span></span> to Consolidation Sixteen. Mister, my instruments +are off scale, too. I'll just send them along to +ye and ye can check them while ye're doing the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I object!" the Connie bellowed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Come now," MacFife burred soothingly. "Checking +a few instruments won't hurt ye." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A small rocket exhaust appeared, leaving the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span>. The exhaust grew rapidly, more rapidly +than that of any snapper-boat. Rip watched it, while +keeping his ears tuned to the space conversation. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa tugged his arm. "See that, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip nodded. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Surely sending boats is too much of a nuisance," +the French commander said winningly. "We will +come alongside." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's a trick," the Connie growled. "You want me<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page228">[pg 228]</span><a name="Pg228" id="Pg228" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to open my valves, then your men will board us and +try to take over my ship!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"My friend, you have a suspicious mind," Galliene +replied smoothly. "If you wish, arm your men. Ours +will have no weapons. Train launchers on the valves +so our men will be annihilated before they can board, +if you see a single weapon." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +This was going a little far, Rip thought, but it +was not his affair and he didn't know exactly what +MacFife and Galliene had in mind. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila's</span></span> boat arrived with astonishing speed. +Rip saw it flash in the sunlight and knew he had +never seen one like it before. It was a perfect globe, +about 20 feet in diameter. Blast holes covered the +globe at intervals of six feet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The boat settled to the asteroid and a new voice +called over the helmet circuit, "Where's Foster? +Show an exhaust! We're in a rush." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip ordered, "Take over, Koa. I'll be back." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yessir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He hurried to the boat and stood there, bewildered. +He didn't know how to get in. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Up here," the voice called. He looked up and +saw a hatch. He jumped and a space-clad figure +pulled him inside. The door shut and the boat blasted +off. Acceleration shoved him backward, but the +spaceman snapped a line to his belt, then motioned +him to a seat. Rip pulled himself up the line and +got into the seat, snapping the harness in place. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page229">[pg 229]</span><a name="Pg229" id="Pg229" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm Hawkins, senior space officer," the spaceman +said. "Welcome, Foster. We've been losing weight +wondering if we'd get here in time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I was never so glad to see spacemen in my life," +Rip said truthfully. "What kind of craft is this, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Experimental," the space officer answered. "It +has a number, but we call it the ball-bat because it's +shaped like a ball and goes like a bat. We were +about to take off for some test runs around the space +platform when we got a hurry call to come here. +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span> has two of these. If they prove out, +they'll replace the snapper-boats. More power, greater +maneuverability, heavier weapons, and they carry +more men." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was only the officer and a pilot, but Rip +saw positions for several others. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He looked out through the port and saw the two +Federation cruisers closing in on the Connie. Apparently +the Connie commander had agreed to let the +cruisers come alongside. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The ball-bat blasted to the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span>, paused at an +open port, then slid inside. The valve was shut before +Rip could unbuckle his harness. Air flooded +into the chamber and the lights flicked on. The +space officer gave Rip a hand out of the harness, and +the young Planeteer went through the hatch to the +deck. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The inner valve opened and a lean, sandy-haired +officer in space blue with the insignia of a commander<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page230">[pg 230]</span><a name="Pg230" id="Pg230" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +stepped through. Grinning, he hurried to Rip's +side and twisted his bubble, lifting it off. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Hurry, lad," he greeted Rip. "I'm MacFife. Get +out of that suit quick, because ye don't want to miss +what's aboot to happen." With his own hands he +unlocked the complicated belt with its gadgets and +equipment, disconnected the communicator and ventilator, +and then unfastened the lock clips that held +top and bottom of the suit together. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip slipped the upper part over his head and +stepped out of the bottom. "Thanks, Commander. +I'm one grateful Planeteer, believe me!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Come on. We'll hurry right across ship to the +opposite valve. Lad, I've a son in the Planeteers and +he's just about your own age. He's on Ganymede. +He and the others will be proud of what ye've done." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife was pulling himself along rapidly by the +convenient handholds. Rip followed, his breathing +a little rapid in the heavier air of the ship. He followed +the Scottish commander through the maze of +passages that crossed the ship and stopped at a valve +where spacemen were waiting. With them was an +officer who carried a big case. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"The instruments," MacFife said, pointing. +"We've tinkered with them a bit just to make it look +real." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"But why do you want to board the Connie?" Rip +asked curiously. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife's eye closed in a wink. "Ye'll see." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg 231]</span><a name="Pg231" id="Pg231" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There was a slight bump as the cruiser touched +the Connie. The waiting group recovered balance +and faced the valve. Rip knew that spacemen in the +inner lock were making fast to the Connie cruiser, +setting up the airtight seal. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +It wasn't long before a bell sounded and a spaceman +opened the inner valve. Two men in space suits +were waiting, and beyond them the outer valve was +joined by a tube to the outer valve of the Connie +ship. Rip stared at the Connie spacemen in their red +tunics and gray trousers. One, a scowling officer with +two pistols in his belt, stepped forward. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip noted that the other Connies were heavy with +weapons, too. None of his group had any. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'm the commander," the scowling Connie said. +"Bring your instruments in quickly. We will check +them, then you get out." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ye're no verra friendly," MacFife said, his burr +even more pronounced. He led Rip and the officer +with the instruments into the Connie ship. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A handsome Federation spaceman with a mustache, +the first Rip had ever seen, stepped into the +room from a passageway on the opposite side. The +spaceman bowed with exquisite grace. "I have the +honor of making myself known," he proclaimed. +"Commander Rémy Galliene of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie commander grunted. He was afraid, +Rip realized. The Connie suspected a trick, and he +had no idea of what it might be. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg 232]</span><a name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip looked him over with interest. This was the +man who had been willing to burn his own spacemen +back at the asteroid belt. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Galliene saw Rip's black uniform and hurried to +shake his hand. "So this is the young lieutenant who +is responsible! Lieutenant, today the spacemen honor +the Planeteers because of you. Most days we fight +each other, but today we fight together, eh? I am +glad to meet you!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"And I'm glad to meet you, sir," Rip returned. +He liked the twinkle in the Frenchman's eye. He +would have given a lot to know what scheme Galliene +and MacFife had cooked up. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie had overheard Galliene's greeting. +He glared at Rip. The Frenchman saw the look and +smiled happily. "Ah, you do not know each other? +Commander, I have the honor to make known Lieutenant +Foster of the Federation Special Order Squadrons. +He is in command on the asteroid." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie blurted, "So! I send boats to help +you and you fire on them!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +So that was to be the Consops story! Rip thought +quickly, then held up his hand in a shocked gesture +that would have done credit to the Frenchman. "Oh, +no, Commander! You misunderstand. We had no +way of communicating by radio, so I did the only +thing we could do. I fired rockets as a warning. We +didn't want your boats to get caught in a nuclear +explosion." He shrugged. "It was very unlucky for<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233">[pg 233]</span><a name="Pg233" id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +us that the sun threw my gunner's aim off and he +hit your boats, quite by accident." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife coughed to cover up a chuckle. Galliene +hid a smile by stroking his mustache. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie commander growled, "And I suppose +it was accident that you took my men prisoner?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Prisoner?" Rip looked bewildered. "We took no +prisoners. When your boats arrived, the men asked +if they might not join us. They claimed refuge, +which we had to give them under interplanetary +law." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I will take them back," the Connie stated. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You will not," Galliene replied with equal positiveness. +"The law is very clear, my friend. Your +men may return willingly, but you cannot force +them. When we reach Terra we will give them a +choice. Those who wish to return to the Consolidation +will be given transportation to the nearest +border." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie commander motioned to a heavily +armed officer. "Take their instruments. Check them +quickly." He put his lips together in a straight line +and stared at the Federation men. They stared back +with equal coldness. Around them, Connie spacemen +with wooden, expressionless faces waited without +moving. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The minutes ticked by. Rip wondered again what +kind of plan MacFife and Galliene had. When would +the excitement start? +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page234">[pg 234]</span><a name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Additional minutes passed and the officer returned +with the cases. Wordlessly he handed them to +Galliene and MacFife. The Connie commander +snapped, "There. Now get out of my ship." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Galliene bowed. "You have been a most courteous +and gracious host," he said. "Your conversation has +been stimulating, inspiring, and informative. Our +profound thanks." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He shook hands with Rip and MacFife, bowed to +the Connie commander again, and went out the way +he had come. There wasn't anything to say after the +Frenchman's sarcastic farewell speech. MacFife, Rip, +and the officer with the instruments went back +through the valves into their own ship. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Once inside, MacFife called, "Come with me. +Hurry." He led the way through passages and up +ladders to the very top of the ship, to the hatch +where the astrogators took their star sights. The protective +shield of nuclite had been rolled back and +they could see into space through the clear vision +port. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip and MacFife hurried to the side where they +were connected to the Connie. Rip looked down +along the length of the ship. The valve connection +was in the middle of each ship, at the point of +greatest diameter. From that point each ship grew +more slender. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife pointed to the Connie's nose. Projecting +from it like great horns were the ship's steering<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg 235]</span><a name="Pg235" id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tubes. Unlike the Federation cruiser which blasted +steam through internal tubes that did not project, +the Connie used chemical fuel. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Watch," MacFife said. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There were similar tubes on the Connie's stern, +Rip knew. He wondered what they had to do with +the plan. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife walked to a wall communicator. "Follow +instructions." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He turned to Rip. "Remember, lad. The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span> +is on the other side of the Connie, about to +do the same thing." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip waited in silence, wondering. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Then the voice horn called, "Valve closed!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A second voice yelled, "Blast!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A tremor jarred its way through the entire ship, +making the deck throb under Rip's feet. He saw that +the ship's nose had swung away from the Connie. +What in space— +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Blast!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The nose swung into the Connie again with a jar +that sent Rip sliding into the clear plastic of the +astrodome. His nose jammed into the plastic but he +didn't even wince, because he saw the Connie's steering +tubes buckle under the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span>'s sudden shove. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And suddenly the picture was clear. The two Federation +cruisers hadn't cared about getting into the +Connie ship. They had only wanted an excuse to +tie up to it so they could do what had just been done. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page236">[pg 236]</span><a name="Pg236" id="Pg236" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +They had sheared off the enemy's steering tubes, +first at the stern, then at the bow, leaving him helpless, +able to go only forward or back in the direction +in which he happened to be pointing! +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife had a broad grin on his face. As Rip +started to speak, he held up his hand and pointed +at a wall speaker. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The Connie commander came on the circuit. He +screamed, "You planned that! You—you—" He subsided +into his own language. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Galliene's voice spoke soothingly. "But my dear +commander! How can I apologize enough? Believe +me, the man responsible will be reward—I mean, +the man responsible will be disciplined. You may +rest assured of it. How unfortunate! I am overcome +with shame. A terrible accident! Terrible." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife picked up a microphone. "Same here, +Connie. A terrible accident. Aye, the man who did +it will hear from me." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It was no accident," the Connie screamed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Ah," Galliene replied, "but you cannot prove +otherwise. Commander, do you realize what this +means? You are helpless. Interplanetary law says +that a helpless spaceship must be salvaged and taken +in tow by the nearest cruiser, no matter what its +nationality. We will do this jointly, the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila</span></span> and +the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Sagittarius</span></span>. We will take turns towing you, my +friend. We will haul you to Terra like any other +piece of space junk." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg 237]</span><a name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife could remain quiet no longer. "Yes, mister. +And that's no' the end o' it. We will collect the +salvage fee. One half the value of the salvaged vessel. +Aye! My men will like that, since we share and share +alike on salvage. Now put out a cable from your +nose tube. I'll take ye in tow first." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He cut the communicator off, and met Rip's grin. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The two spacemen had figured out the one way +to repay the Connie for his attempts on the asteroid. +They couldn't fire on him, but they could fake an +"accident" that would cripple him and cost Consops +millions of dollars in salvage fees. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Nor would Consops refuse to pay. Salvage law +was clear. Whoever performed the salvage was not +required to turn the ship back to its owners until +the fee had been paid, in whatever currency he cared +to specify. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And there was another angle. The cruisers would +tow the Connie into the Federation spaceport in +New Mexico. If past experience was any indication, +the Connie would lose about half its crew—perhaps +more. They would claim sanctuary in the Federation. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip shook hands solemnly with the grinning +Scotchman. It would be a long time before Consops +tried space piracy again. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll be back at our family fight again tomorrow," +MacFife said, "but today we celebrate together. +Ah, lad, this is pure joy to me. I've had a score<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238">[pg 238]</span><a name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to settle with yon Connies for years. Now I've done +it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He put an arm around Rip's shoulders. "While +I'm in a givin' mood, which is not the way of us +Scots, is there anything ye'd like?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip could think of only one thing. "A hot shower. +For me and my men. And will you take the prisoners +off our hands?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes to both. Anything else?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"We'll need some rocket fuel. Terra says we have +to correct course. Also, we'll need a nuclear charge +to throw us into a braking ellipse. And we need a +new landing boat. The sun baked the equipment +out of ours." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife nodded. "So be it. I'll send men to the +asteroid to bring back the prisoners and your Planeteers." +He smiled. "We'll let yon rock go by itself +while hot showers and a good meal are had by all. +It's the least of what ye've earned." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip started to thank the Scot, but his stomach +suddenly turned over and black dizziness flooded in +on him. He heard MacFife's sudden exclamation, +felt hands on him. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +White light blinded him. He shook his head and +tried to keep his stomach from acting up. A voice +asked, "Were you shielded from those nuclear +blasts?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No," he said past a constricted throat. "Not from +the last. We got some prompt radiation. I don't<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page239">[pg 239]</span><a name="Pg239" id="Pg239" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +know how much." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"When was that? The exact time?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip tried to remember. He felt horrible. "It was +twenty-three-oh-five." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Bad," the voice said. "He must have taken +enough roentgens of gamma and neutrons to reach +or exceed the median-lethal dose." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip found his voice again. "Santos," he said urgently. +"On the asteroid. He got it, too. The rest +were shielded. Get him. Quick!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife snapped orders. The ball-bat would have +Santos in the ship within minutes. Being sick in a +space suit was about the most unpleasant thing that +could happen to anyone. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A hypospray tingled against Rip's arm. The drug +penetrated, caught a quick lift to all parts of his +body through his bloodstream. Consciousness slid +away. +</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc51" id="toc51"></a> +<a name="pdf52" id="pdf52"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240">[pg 240]</span><a name="Pg240" id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Nineteen - Spacefall</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip was never more eloquent. He argued, he +begged, and he wheedled. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Aquila's</span></span> chief physician listened with polite +interest, but he shook his head. "Lieutenant, you +simply are not aware of the close call you've had. +Another two hours without treatment and we might +not have been able to save you." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I appreciate that," Rip assured him. "But I'm +fine now, sir." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You are not fine. You are anything but fine. +We've loaded you with antibiotics and blood cell +regenerator, and we've given you a total transfusion. +You feel fine, but you're not." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor looked at Rip's red hair. "That's a +fine thatch of hair you have. In a week or two it will +be gone and you'll have no more hair than an egg. +A well person doesn't lose hair." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The ship's radiation safety officer had put both +Rip's and Santos's dosimeters into his measuring +equipment. They had taken over a hundred roentgens +of hard radiation above the tolerance limit. +This was the result of being caught unshielded when +the last nuclear charge went off. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg 241]</span><a name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sir," Rip pleaded, "you can load us with suppressives. +It's only a few days more before we reach +Terra. You can keep us going until then. We'll both +turn in for full treatment as soon as we get to the +space platform. But we have to finish the job, can't +you see that, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor shook his head. "You're a fool, even +for a Planeteer. Before you get over this you'll be +sicker than you've ever been. You have a month in +bed waiting for you. If I let you go back to the +asteroid, I'll only be delaying the time when you +start full treatment." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"But the delay won't hurt if you inject us with +suppressives, will it?" Rip asked quickly. "Don't +they keep the sickness checked?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yes, for a maximum of about ten days. Then +they no longer have sufficient effect and you come +down with it." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"But it won't take ten days," Rip pointed out. "It +will only take a couple, and it won't hurt us." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +MacFife had arrived to hear the last exchange. He +nodded sympathetically. "Doctor, I can appreciate +how the lad feels. He started something and he wants +to finish it. If y'can let him, safely, I think ye should." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor shrugged. "I can let him. There's a +nine to one chance it will do him no harm. But the +one chance is what I don't like." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll know it if the suppressives start to wear off, +won't I?" Rip asked. +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg 242]</span><a name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"You certainly will. You'll get weaker rapidly." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"How rapidly?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Perhaps six hours. Perhaps more." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip nodded. "That's what I thought. Doctor, +we're less than six hours from Terra by ship. If the +stuff wears off, we can be in the hospital within a +couple of hours. Once we go into a braking ellipse, +we can reach a hospital in less than an hour by +snapper-boat." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Let him go," MacFife said. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The doctor wasn't happy about it, but he had run +out of arguments. "All right, Commander. If you'll +assume responsibility for getting him off the asteroid +and into a Terra or space platform hospital in time." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I'll do that," MacFife assured him. "Now get +your hyposprays and fill him full of that stuff you +use. The corporal, too." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Sergeant," Rip corrected. His first action on getting +back to the asteroid would be to recommend +Santos's promotion to Terra base. He intended to +recommend Kemp for corporal, too. He was sure the +Planeteers at Terra would make the promotions. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The two Federation cruisers were still holding +course along with the asteroid, the Connie cruiser +between them. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Within an hour, Rip and Santos, both in false +good health thanks to medical magic, were on their +way back to the asteroid in a ball-bat boat. +</p> + +<a name="fig53" id="fig53"></a><div class="tei tei-figure" style="text-align: center"><img src="images/image15.png" width="640" height="959" alt="Illustration: "Let Him Go Back to the Asteroid, Doctor."" title=""Let Him Go Back to the Asteroid, Doctor."" /><div class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em">"Let Him Go Back to the Asteroid, Doctor."</div></div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The remaining time passed quickly. The sun receded.<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg 244]</span><a name="Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The Planeteers corrected course. Rip sent in +his recommendations for promotions, and looked +over the last nuclear crater to see why the blast had +started the asteroid spinning. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The reason could only be guessed. The blast probably +had opened a fault in the crystal, allowing the +explosion to escape partially in the wrong direction. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Once the course was corrected, Rip calculated the +position for the final nuclear charge. When the asteroid +reached the correct position relative to earth, the +charge would not only change its course but slow its +speed somewhat. The asteroid would go around the +earth in a series of ever-tightening ellipses, using +Terra's gravity, plus rocket fuel, to slow it down to +the right orbital speed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +When it reached the proper position, tubes of +rocket fuel would change the course again, putting +it into an orbit around the earth close to the space +platform. It wasn't practical to take the thorium rock +in for a landing. They would lose control and the +asteroid would flame to earth like the greatest meteor +ever to hit the planet. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Putting the asteroid into an orbit around earth +was actually the most delicate part of the whole trip, +but Rip wasn't worried. He had the facilities of +Terra base within easy reach by communicator. He +dictated his data and let them do the mathematics +on the giant electronic computers. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He and his men rode the gray planet past the<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page245">[pg 245]</span><a name="Pg245" id="Pg245" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +moon, so close they could almost see the Planeteer +Lunar base, circled Terra in a series of ellipses, and +finally blasted the asteroid into its final orbit within +sight of the space platform. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Landing craft and snapper-boats swarmed to meet +them and within an hour after their arrival the +Planeteers were surrounded by spacemen, cadets +from the platform, and officers and men wearing +Planeteer black. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A cadet approached Rip and looked at him with +awe. "Sir, I don't know how you ever did it!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +And Rip, his eyes on the great curve of earth, +answered casually, "There's one thing every space-chick +has to learn if he's going to be a Planeteer. +There's always a way to do anything. To be a Planeteer +you have to be able to figure out the way." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +A new voice said, "Now that's real wisdom!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip turned quickly and looked through a helmet +at the grinning face of Major Joe Barris. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Barris spoke as though to himself, but Rip turned +red as his hair. "Funny how fast a man ages in space," +the Planeteer major remarked. "Take Foster. A few +weeks ago he was just a cadet, a raw recruit who had +never met high vack. Now he's talking like the grandfather +of all space. I don't know how the Special +Order Squadrons ever got along before he became +an officer." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip had been feeling a little too proud of himself. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"It's good to get back," Rip said. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc54" id="toc54"></a> +<a name="pdf55" id="pdf55"></a> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span><a name="Pg246" id="Pg246" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter Twenty - On the Platform</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +There were two things Rip could see from his +hospital bed on the space platform. One was the +great curve of earth. He was anxious to get out of +the hospital and back to Terra. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The second thing was the asteroid. Spacemen were +at work on it, slowly cutting it to pieces. The pieces +were small enough to be carried back to earth in +supply rockets. It would be a long time before the +asteroid was completely cut up and transported to +Terra base. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Sergeant-major Koa came into the hospital ward +and sat on Rip's bed. The plastifoam mattress compressed +under his weight. "How are you feeling, sir?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Pretty good," Rip replied. The worst of the radiation +sickness was over and he was mending fast. +Here and there were little blood stains just below +the surface of his skin, and he had no more hair than +a plastic ball. Otherwise he looked normal. The +stains would go away and his hair would grow back +within a matter of weeks. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Santos, now officially a sergeant, was in the same +condition. The rest of Rip's Planeteers had resumed +duties on the space platform. He saw them frequently<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page247">[pg 247]</span><a name="Pg247" id="Pg247" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +because they made a point of dropping in whenever +they were near the hospital area. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa looked out at the asteroid. "I sort of hate to +see that rock cut up. There isn't much about a chunk +of thorium to get sentimental over, but after fighting +for it the way we did, it doesn't seem right to +cut it into blocks." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I know how you feel," Rip admitted, "but after +all, that's what we brought it back for." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He studied Koa's brown face. The big Hawaiian +had something on his mind. "Got vack worms chewing +at you?" he asked. Vack worms were a spaceman's +equivalent of "the blues." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Not exactly, sir. I happened to overhear the doctor +talking today. You're due for a leave in a week." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's good news!" Rip exclaimed. "You're not +unhappy about it, are you?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Koa shrugged. "We were all hoping we'd be together +on our next assignment. The gang liked serving +under you. But we're overdue for shipment to +somewhere, and if you take eight weeks' leave, we'll +be gone by the time you come back to the platform." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"I liked serving with all of you, too." Rip replied. +"I watched the way you all behaved when the space-flap +was getting tough and it made me proud to be +a Planeteer." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Major Joe Barris came in. He was carrying an +envelope in his hand. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Hello, Rip. How are you, Koa? Am I interrupting<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page248">[pg 248]</span><a name="Pg248" id="Pg248" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a private talk?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"No, Major," Koa replied. "We're just passing the +time. Want me to leave?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Stay here," Barris said. "This concerns you, too. +I've been reassigned. My eight years on the platform +are up, and that's all an instructor gets. Now I'm off +for space on another job." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew that instructors were assigned for eight-year +periods. And he knew that the major's specialty +was the Planeteer science of exploration. Barris's +specialty required him to be an expert in biology, +zoology, anthropology, navigation and astrogation, +and in land fighting. Not to mention a half dozen +other lesser things. Only ten Planeteers rated expert +in exploration and all were captains or majors. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Where are you going?" Rip asked. "Off to explore +something?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That's it." Major Barris smiled. "Remember +once I said that when they gave me the job of cleaning +up the goopies on Ganymede I'd ask for you as +a platoon leader?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip stared. "Don't tell me that's your assignment!" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Almost. Tell me, would you recommend any +more of your men for promotion? I'll need a new +sergeant and two more corporals." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip thought it over. "Koa can check me on this. +I'd suggest making Pederson a sergeant and Dowst +and Dominico corporals. Kemp and Santos already +have promotions." +</p> + +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page249">[pg 249]</span><a name="Pg249" id="Pg249" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"That would be my choice, too," Koa agreed. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Fine." Barris tapped the envelope. "I'll correct +the orders in here and recommend the promotions. +We'll get sixteen new recruits from the graduating +class at Luna and that will complete the platoon I'm +supposed to organize. Two full platoons are waiting, +and the new platoon will give me a full-strength +squadron. Except for new officers. How about Flip +Villa for a platoon commander, Rip?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip knew the Mexican officer was among the best +of his own graduating class. "I have to admit prejudice," +he warned. "Flip is a pal of mine. But I don't +think you could do better." His curiosity got the best +of him and he asked, "Can you tell me what this is +all about?" +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Joe Barris reached over and rubbed Rip's bald +head. "By the time fur grows back on that irradiated +dome of yours, I'll be on my way with Koa, Pederson, +and the new recruits. Santos and the rest of your +crew will report to Terra base. Flip Villa will join +them there. You'll be on earth-leave for eight weeks, +but it will take about that much time for Flip and +the men to assemble the supplies and equipment +we'll need." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He pulled a sheaf of papers out of the envelope. +"Koa, here are orders for you and your men. They +say you're to report to Special Order Squadron +Seven, on Ganymede. SOS Seven is a new squadron, +the first one organized exclusively for exploration<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page250">[pg 250]</span><a name="Pg250" id="Pg250" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +duties, and I'm its commanding officer. Koa, you'll +be my senior noncommissioned officer. I want you +and Pederson with me because you can organize the +new recruits enroute. They have a lot more to learn +from you than they got in their two years of training. +You'll make real Planeteers out of 'em." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +He picked a paper from the sheaf and waved it +at Rip. "This is for you, Lieutenant Foster." He +read, "Foster, R.I.P., Lieutenant, SOS. Serial seven-nine-four-three. +Authorized eight weeks' earth-leave +upon discharge from hospital. Upon completion of +leave subject officer will report to Terra base for +transportation to SOS Seven on Ganymede." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Joe Barris handed Rip his new orders. "You'll be +on the same ship with Flip Villa and your men. Flip +will be another of my platoon leaders. I'll be waiting +for you on Ganymede. The moons of Jupiter will +be our home for quite a while, Rip. Our first assignment +is to explore Callisto from pole to pole." +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Rip didn't know what to say. To serve under Barris, +to have his own men in a regular squadron platoon, +to have Flip Villa in the same outfit, and to +be assigned to exploration duty—dirtiest but most +exciting of all Planeteer jobs—it was just too much. +He couldn't say anything. He could only grin. +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Major Joe Barris looked at Rip's shiny head and +chuckled. "From what I hear of Callisto, we're in +for a rough time. Your hair will probably grow back +just in time to turn gray!" +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Whitman Books for Boys and Girls</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +NEW STORIES +OF ADVENTURE AND MYSTERY +</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +Up-to-the-minute novels for boys and girls about favorite +characters, all popular and well known— +</p> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ROY ROGERS and the Rimrod Renegades</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ROY ROGERS and the Gopher Creek Gunman</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ROY ROGERS and the Raiders of Sawtooth Ridge</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ROY ROGERS and the Outlaws of Sundown Valley</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ROY ROGERS and the Ghost of Mystery Rancho</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GENE AUTRY and the Big Valley Grab</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GENE AUTRY and the Bad Men of Broken Bow</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GENE AUTRY and the Thief River Outlaws</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GENE AUTRY and the Redwood Pirates</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GENE AUTRY and the Golden Ladder Gang</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TARZAN and the City of Gold</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TARZAN and the Forbidden City</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE BOBBSEY TWINS: Merry Days Indoors and Out</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE BOBBSEY TWINS in the Country</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE BOBBSEY TWINS at the Seashore</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The books listed above may be purchased at +the same store where you secured this book. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Whitman Books for Boys and Girls</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +NEW STORIES +OF ADVENTURE AND MYSTERY +</p> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE WALTON BOYS in High Country</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE WALTON BOYS in Rapids Ahead</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">THE WALTON BOYS and Gold in the Snow</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">SAND DUNE PONY</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">RIP FOSTER Rides the Gray Planet</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TOM STETSON and the Blue Devil</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TOM STETSON and the Giant Jungle Ants</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TOM STETSON on the Trail of the Lost Tribe</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GINNY GORDON and the Mystery at the Old Barn</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GINNY GORDON and the Mystery of the Missing Heirloom</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">GINNY GORDON and the Disappearing Candlesticks</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TRIXIE BELDEN and the Gatehouse Mystery</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TRIXIE BELDEN and the Red Trailer Mystery</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">TRIXIE BELDEN and the Secret of the Mansion</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ZANE GREY'S The Spirit of the Border</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">ZANE GREY'S The Last Trail</td></tr></tbody></table> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +The books listed above may be purchased at +the same store where you secured this book. +</p> +</div> + +</div> + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-back" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RIP FOSTER RIDES THE GRAY PLANET*** +</pre><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader56" id="rightpageheader56"></a><a name="pgtoc57" id="pgtoc57"></a><a name="pdf58" id="pdf58"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">December 20, 2006 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; 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