Alfie's owl-eyed look of innocence seemed to unnerve him. He tried to
resume his tirade, but the words failed him. He finally turned away,
growling, "Higgins, get up on that radar deck and do as you're told,
_when_ you're told to do it and _not_ when you want to do it! Is that
clear?"
"Yes, sir," said Alfie meekly. He saluted and returned to the radar
deck.
"Corbett!" snapped Connel. "If I should appear to be losing control of
myself when addressing Cadet Higgins, you have my official permission to
restrain me. Use force if necessary!"
Tom bit his lip to keep from laughing and managed to mumble "Yes, sir."
He turned quickly to the control board and began focusing on the planet
lying dead ahead of the decelerating spaceship. They had been slowing
down for several days, since their speed with the added hyperdrive had
been increased greatly. The young cadet adjusted the last dial and the
blue-green planet sprang into clear sharp focus on the screen.
"Why," gasped Tom. "Sir, look! It's just like Earth!"
"In more ways than one, Corbett," replied Connel. "What's our range?"
"I'd say we're close enough to reduce thrust to a quarter regular space
speed, sir.
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