"
"Well," demanded Roger, "what did happen?"
Loring glanced at Mason. "Just this, kid. Jardine and Bangs were on the
teleceiver and the radar for fifteen minutes trying to pick up your
beam. But there wasn't any, because you had it fouled up!"
Roger sat down on the side of the bunk and stared at the two men. If
what they said was true, Roger knew there could only be one outcome to
the investigation.
"Why are you telling me this?" asked Roger quietly.
"Very simple. I don't like to see _anyone_ go to the prison rock!"
"Are you"--Roger hesitated--"are you suggesting that I escape?"
Loring and Mason got up and walked to the door. Loring turned back to
face Roger. "I'm not suggesting anything, Manning," he 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, I wouldn't wait around for
Connel or anyone else to blast my life to pieces by sending me to a
prison for one little mistake!"
The hatch slid closed behind the two spacemen.
Roger stood up and began packing a small spaceman's bag. There was a jet
liner coming in from Atom City that would make a stop at Venusport.
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