Therefore, I suggest that each of
you report to the officer in charge of your respective departments and
learn the operation and function of the station while we're here. This
work will be _in addition_ to your assigned duties on the new
transmitter operation!"
The three cadets gulped but were silent.
"Not only that," Connel's voice had risen to an angry bark, "but you
will be logged a demerit apiece for each minute you reported late.
Thirteen and a half minutes, thirteen and a half demerits!"
The gold and black of the Solar Guard uniform never looked more ominous
as the three cadets watched the stern spaceman turn and stomp out the
exit port.
Alone, their liberty taken away from them before they even knew they had
it, the boys sat around on the control deck of the silent ship and
listened to the distant throb of a pump, rising and falling, pumping
free air throughout the station.
"Well," sighed Tom, "I always did want to know how a space station
worked. Now I guess I'll learn firsthand."
"Me, too," said Astro. He propped his big feet up on a delicate
instrument panel of the control board.
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