The Space Pioneers

has been recalled to th

r Hardy last night and this morning he took the jet line

s!" exclaimed Astro

be something more important than the

g to do with the projec

o say anything to us before he left. I wouldn't have known about it if

. "You mean," asked Roger, "Captain

ver space together screening the applicants, and then Capt

gone fairly smoothly except for some difficulty on Mars when Strong and the cadets had rejected scores of applicants with shady backgrounds; criminals and gamblers; spacemen who had had their space papers picked up for violation of the space

e have a heavy day ahead of us tomorrow. I guess

lked past the shops, their blue cadet uniforms reflecting the garish colors of the nuanium signs in the shopwindow

onship between the cadets and the Solar Guard captain had developed into a deeper association than just a cadet crew and officer supervisor. They were friends-spacemates! And the boys sensed trouble ahead when they arrived at the Luna City spaceport. They stood in the shadow of the Polaris and stared into the sky to

he Earth like that every time we blast off from Luna. I shou

. "It's the same with me. Gets me right

led Roger. "Move your hand down a couple of

he picked up the blond cadet and held him high in the air. "Which way shall I drop him,

essly, then suddenly stopped and grabbed Astro by the arm. "

ning to the Polaris. The three cadets saw l

monkey!" exclaimed Ro

Luna City Hotel, and Captain Strong is the only one b

for!" said Roger. "Let's

the ship and raced up the co

h the hatch. He turned to Astro. "You were the last

wiry man with dark hair, dressed in civilian clothes and holding a cup of coffee. He smiled at the three startled

the man's self-assurance. And then he stoppe

," cried Astro. "I

, mister?" d

he coffee cup down on the table, and returned to face the three cade

what?" g

er. "Your application was refused.

ng at his lips, "Captain Strong has been taken off the Roald project." He

ng digging a hole in the ground, m

you couldn't touch him with an atomic bla

Tom. "Let's find out w

I wouldn't like anyone who would accept another person in place of a frien

?" asked Tom, with just a little more se

know. He has unquestioned authority to appoint, approve, and select anyone he wants. In v

. Finally Tom walked over and stuck out his hand. "We

ger and Astro

ther smoothly in these last few days. There are a few changes to be made of co

changes, sir

ou seeing the applicants first, I will speak with

with a slight edge to his voice that did not go unnoticed. Vidac l

er for you not to question me, or any of my practices. A Spac

or. He remembered that there wasn't any real evidence against Vidac. In fact, Tom thought, it was only because Vidac's background was so superior to most of the applicants that he had aroused suspicion

l you honestly, sir. When Captain Strong re

Tom shrewdly. "Well

t to bury yourself on a satellite for seven years when you could ge

boys have done a fine job for the governor." He slapped Astro on the back and threw his arm around Tom's shoulder, speaking to them in a suddenly conf

ook hi

at Astro. "Cadet Astro, would you take a job with an outfi

said Astro

d you on your observations about me, Corbett. I th

e cadets

what we just said. If Governor Hardy's

" said Vidac. "I

oger. "We have a hard day ahead of us. Th

ke over Captain Strong's quar

thout saying a word. When the hatch was cl

a mistake about that spaceman!"

an't blame a guy for not w

pace boots. He held it a moment, thinking, and then looked up at his two u

hat?" as

said To

hat he doesn't alread

ed his boot to the deck, looked up at Roger

turn in. Just the thought of facing tho

giving up comfortable homes, successful businesses. He thought of Hyram Logan and family; the shopkeeper from Titan with three sets of twin boys; the Martian miner who had spent twenty-five futile years searching for uranium i

rator on the power deck droning in his ear

him. He was a man badly in need of a shave and his clothes looked as if he ha

surly tone, "and hurry up with thi

ntil I've had time to check your applic

arled Winters, "I

asked Rog

boss, Vidac! And he said I

suspended twice, Mr. Winters. Once for smuggling, and once for insubordinati

hat, you space jerk!" He snatched the application

he applicants to threaten him and seek higher

face. One side of his mouth twitched continually, making the man look as th

re once a messenger for the Spaceways Bonded Messenge

ith his hat and stirred uneasily in his

d?" as

aking a credit pouch to Venusport from

prove it?

" growled Bush. "Listen, Corbett, you can't hold a little th

pers suspended for six months and were caught during the su

eman longer than you've been alive. I had to have a job. There was

dge of your act, violate the space code by u

ut-" whi

tanding up. "Your applic

cation from Tom. His mouth began to

o had suddenly entered the room. "Leave

king from the room. Vidac smiled at Tom's questioning look and walked

bout Bush, Tom

sir?" a

twitch he has on t

ir," sa

little space joker in the system, singing all the time, playing a con

would, sir

t made him a marked man. He developed the nervous twitch right after tha

sir, he's broken

ow, Tom, and it's a serious thing. Bu

less than that, sir," said Tom

I said we were going to

es coolly. "Yes, sir." He stamped th

"If there are any more-ah-questionable applicants, I suggest you send them to m

plied Tom, tight-lip

say so, Corbett!" He turne

plicant, the door burst open and Roger came into the room. T

t-blasting screwy around

ou mean?"

low-down space crawler-a

lert, anticipati

ame back later with his

e flipped on the teleceiver near by and asked the central communications operator to connect him wit

orbett?" asked

if I may. Something's just come

Governor Vidac will be able to

at Roger. "But, sir," h

t? Hurry, lad! I h

bout the lieutenant governo

isfied that he is just the man I need. After Captain Strong was recalled to the Academy, I had to have a man to take over for him. And I am satisfied

clamping his teeth tog

ants, prepare the Polaris for a return trip to Space Academy." He paused and smiled. "I think I might be able to co

Maybe I'm wrong, but either the governor is pre

both," dra

ications on his desk, and then

we've got to tell