The Space Pioneers

to Pluto!" said the supervisory officer at the Academy. "Now stop bo

ld you tell us if the mission had an

you. It was a special order from Commander Walters' office. Captain Strong b

idn't-" b

any message for you,"

let's go. We've got to blast off for Mars in ha

d after them. "If Captain Strong returns before you get b

sir," s

Academy was buzzing with activity as Solar Guard officers, scientists, and enlisted men

to Mars. After they had climbed into the ship, they waited for a full hour before they could get clearance to blast off. And

e," commented Mike. "Must be a thousand ship

er. "This is going

life, they assembled for their antibiotic shots and the last medical check by the Solar Guard doctors. There were crystal miners from Titan, farmers from Venus, Mars, and Earth, prospectors from the New Sahara d

e into the night, examinin

If a jet liner or merchantman was found to be satisfactory, it was purchased at full price from the owners and flown to refitting docks at Space Academy and Atom City where work was begun converting it to a special use. Every ship was to be cann

ant jet liner, the three cadets landed on the crow

a twenty-four-hour pas

y promised us a two-week leave, but I

an't give it to you, but I'll speak to Commander Walters for

said Tom. "We'

giant ship to the refitting crews, they heade

he suddenly asked, "Do you think Capta

s on the chatter wire if he had." Roger referred to a tape recorder that was

I think we ought to go directly t

growled Astro. "Are

n't we?" ag

n't get near him with a six-inch atomic blaster. And what are we going to say aft

h, isn't it?"

ebody's got to do something about Vidac, and if the governor

ger. "We'll be sticking our necks out, but

ade their way to the Tower building. All around them the activity of the Academy seemed to have increased. Everyone seemed to be rushing somewhere. Even th

Astro. "Isn't t

re the girl colonist from Venus was being whisked along in the

ro with a wink at Tom. "

id Roger, jumping lightly to the near-by

if it isn't the little

nning!" And seeing Astro and Tom come up, she smiled

aid Roger. "I'm the

the girl archly, "I had no

up to see Commander Walters righ

ters?" gasped

I'll get a twenty-four-hour pass and we'll t

what my father wou

go out with me," said Roger, "

ing Roger in the ribs. Roger gave the big c

ee a stereo, and I know a nice

ed a gruff voi

am Logan. "Just what would you talk about, Cadet Manning?" demanded

ir, the-er-problem

e. "Are you interes

winkle in her eye. Tom and Astro were tryi

, "I-uh-I just remembered-got to see a feller about a hot rocket!" An

Astro said good-by to Jane an

leo, the two boys raced up the sl

the back, "that was what I call a strategic

your jets!"

d Tom, "we probably won'

eroom they waited while an aide announced them to the commander. Standing before the aide's desk, they could see the comma

geant?" asked Co

o of the Polaris unit to see you,

right in,"

t the cadets. "Go ahead, fellows. He's in a good mo

the door to the inner office, but Roger

m," he whispered. "Not with G

ut now. He's been told we're here. We'll ju

ea," agr

going in or not?" c

he commander were studying a blueprint which was spread out on the desk. The thre

n a special privilege req

r McKenny spoke to me a little while ago. Here's your pass. After

ese boys an apology. When we left Luna City, I promised them that I would speak

n more need for them now. Come here, boys. I want you to look at something." He waved them around his desk

Walters. "You boys will be remembered for a long ti

at, sir?"

ted streets. "Each of these streets, avenues, roads, and expressways will be named aft

ed Tom. "Does t

. "He tells me you've done a fine job. I think a tour of duty as

each other, eyes wide w

o with the coloni

d I'm sorry that I can't give you more than a

said Tom. "And we appreciate your giv

e worked before. You'll have to maintain your studies and I'll expect you to send back

with these boys for weeks and I know what to expect

om City and have yourself a good time. Report back to the A

eft the room. In the corridor

as I ever want to come to getting a

Astro. "Just think what would have happen

urs to soak up as much of this Earth as we can

mlined express to Atom City. Each of the cadets was acutely aware of the trouble that lay ahead of them, and with Captain Strong at t