Danger in Deep Space

peed three-quarters!"

l. He spoke into the intercom. "Control deck to power deck. Stand by to reduce thrust

aye," ackno

as studded with gaping holes, air locks which served as landing ports for spaceships. Inside the station was a compact city. Living quarters, communications rooms, repair shops,

t from the station, sir. Shall I answe

ake it fast!" exploded Connel. "What do yo

lied Roger. "Ri

creen above his head. The image of th

I think, sir," volunteered Tom

range?" as

med a

Tom turned once more to the intercom. "Control deck to power deck," he called. "Stand

ris. Come in, Polaris. This is traffic control on spa

d traffic control. Request touchdown permis

ine up on approach to landing-port seven-repeat-seven. A

m. "Have you got the stat

t that Venusian on the power deck to give me a three-second s

n the intercom. "Another crack like that and I'

tercom. "And watch that loose talk on the ship's intercom. From now on, all directions and

ort time it had taken them to traverse the immense gulf of space between the Academy and the station Connel had handed out demerit

e, Tom, Roger, and Astro maneuvered the great rocket ship toward the g

e, Polaris, you're up too hig

e upper trim rocket,

he force of sudden thrust, and then it

ur speed to dead ship, Polar

later the great ship hung silently in the airless

uvered the great rocket

ally the lines tightened, pulling the mighty spaceship into the waiting port. Once inside, the outer air lock was closed and the Polaris was slung in the powerful magnetic cradles that h

at board, glanced at the time of arrival on

one-nine-fou

rudgingly, "That was as fine a job of control-deck ope

ff guard. And he was even more pleased that for th

" said Connel. "Meanwhile, you and Manning and Astro acquaint yourselves with t

nnel disappeared to

ly from behind, "it looks like you've

id get a pat on the back, but you didn't hear him cancel any of those deme

hrough the hatch. "I'm half starved. By the craters of Lu

had to call for fraction-degree course changes

't give you twice as many," he replied. "Can you imagine wha

about it. Come on. Let's rustle up some gru

mal hit, "Children of Space" (a sensational drama about the lives of men in the future), restaurants, and even a curio shop. The Venus space station handled ninety per cent of the traffic into and out of Venusport. It was a refueling stop for the jet liners and space freighters bound for the outer planets, and for those returning to Earth. Some ships went directly to Venusport for heavy overhaul or supplies, but the station was established primarily fo

ng through a crowd of tourists admiring the shops. Finally

o have the best meal of your lives! Broil

in amazement. "Why-why-tha

d Roger. "What are y

em when I was a kid. Brought the best price of any wild game. Fifty credits fo

oked at each oth

wled Roger. "He's just

o sooner seated when a recorded voice announced the menu over a small loud-speaker on the table

have it broiled à la Venusia

ger and Tom, and Ast

the three members of the Polaris un

red Tom, "that wasn't only the

, leaning against the plastic wi

"maybe you guys will li

I tell her that her chicken and dumplings

s!" yelled Roger suddenly. "Look a

m. "I knew it was t

id Astro. "Maybe

ng after Tom and Astro. "That old r

level. They hurried aboard the Polaris and into the control room. Major Connel was seated in

for duty, sir,

anced at the clock, put the papers to one

ive seconds to think up a good excuse. Every man is entitled to an excuse. Some have good ones, som

speculatively. "W

our enthusiasm for a meal Astro intr

n't working on the new transmitter. But since you have shown yourselves to be carried away so easily, I don't think I can depend on your completing your regular duties. Therefore, I suggest that each of you report

ets gulped bu

you will be logged a demerit apiece for each minute you reported

r looked more ominous as the three cadets watched

boys sat around on the control deck of the silent ship and listened to the dist

nt to know how a space station worke

his big feet up on a delicate inst

ised Tom and Astro. "But I didn't think I would find out like this! How