Danger in Deep Space

cling around the station. "I think I see something bearing about seventy deg

boat, strained his eyes but was u

t ten miles away, answered quick

efens. "Maybe we'v

cts in the black void of space. "Come to the starboard about one-quarte

n to maneuver the small gnat-sized

s. "Now hold that. Let me see

, which Astro had volunteered to pilot, coming into view. As soon as order had been

s floating effortlessly. A moment later Scott's craft came alongside, and the two small ships were lashed together with magnetic lines. Tom and Stefens hurriedly pulled on their space helmets. They adjusted the valves regulating the oxy

o helpless figures. He reached them in less than a minute,

tro watched as the three fi

, oxygen pressure in the craft was restore

re want to thank you for p

ith a quick look at Loring, he asked so

of two men. It was pretty bad. A little later something was spotted on the ra

ace-suited figures f

ere brave men. They practically forced us to pile out when they saw

re brave men,"

ened?" He paused, and then added, "You don't have to tell me if you do

en, Jardine came running in. Told us we were about to pile into the station and for us to suit up and get out. We asked him about himself, but he said he was going to s

n't a single injury. He warned everybody to get off that

a what made the ship cr

you all I know, sir. Can I expect to be questione

, Loring," he said stiffly, "but you don't

of the cadet, and Loring was quick to make amends. "I'

ns gr

able to do anything about it," Loring continued plaintively. "J

the crash, Loring and Mason exchanging quick furtive glances and wondering how long their story would hold up, a

dar section of the communications deck closed and sealed off until further investiga

turned and walked away.

rrying things a little too

im! I want to be sure there was no connection between the crash of the

hose two survivors, Loring and Mason, are having

ge their story

and they were asleep in the cargo hold. Jardine, one of

trouble with them recently on a trip to Tara. Suspended their papers. So

on, sir, if you'd like to listen to it," said St

out the report you

ssistance of Terry Sc

is good! If it weren't for that hare-brained Manning, I'd say they

ic-control operations like a duck takes to water. And it's been a long time si

ing that if he did, it would mean a damaging black mark against Manning. But justice

ke. He had recommended a thorough investigation. There was no other way. If Manning was cleared of the responsibility for the crash, he was free, and it would not show up against his record. If he wasn't, how

g and Mason were huddled over steaming cups o

ffee, Mason?"

be a Solar Guard investigation?" whined

ringly. "Connel doesn't suspect a thing.

this honor stuff! It's not like a regular investigation. They don't stop di

. "They can't prove a thing. Jardine and Bangs ar

ll you, and now we've g

suddenly opened an

ce Stefens. "Well, Captain, glad you came. I wanted to talk

Stefens. "See me in about two hours. Right now, I've got

ay, Captain, what do you expect

he crash was due to the negligence of Cadet M

he cadet may be responsi

ie Jones is a lot of evidence," said

!" said Loring triu

we going?"

ve a little talk w

er," said Astro. "Ev

nerves walking back and forth like that. Everything will be O

ship O.K.," said Roger. He kicked viciously at

o bringing him his meals. Tom had watched his unit-mate grow more and more

oor suddenly buzzed, and the three

t cruiser Polaris for indoctrination on hyper

in indoctrination on hyperdrive, and it was only his deep concern for

nvestigation will be over and we'll be

o, "crawl in the sack and rest your b

be O.K. Go ahead and learn about t

another. The deep friendship between them didn't need to be exp

his bunk. He closed his eyes and tried to go to sleep. Whatever h

when he had met Tom and Astro, he heard a knock on the door and h

nside the door. "You al

're you?"

is my space buddy, Al Mason.

n you know I'm not responsibl

," said Loring grimly. "I

u mean?" de

ad-"young fella like you wind

oid?" asked R

hen they give you synthetic food to eat, because it costs too much to haul up solid grub. Once you've been

hat got to do wit

t your radarscope wasn't working right. Then they'll com

ed Roger, "wha

n the teleceiver and the radar for fifteen minutes trying to pick

the two men. If what they said was true, Roger knew

ing me this?" ask

like to see anyone g

tated-"are you sugge

said. "You're a big boy and should know what's good for you. But"-he paused and measured his words carefully-"if I were you,

closed behind t

jet liner coming in from Atom City that would make a stop at Venuspor