Jet boat one to _Polaris_. Cadet Corbett to
Major Connel."
There was a crackle of static and then Connel's voice, vibrant and
clear, filled the small cabin.
"Corbett!" he roared. "By the craters of Luna, I couldn't contact you.
Return to the _Polaris_ on the double!"
"Is there something wrong, sir?" asked Tom, apprehensive after seeing
the wildness of the jungle below him.
"Wrong?" blared Connel. "News from Earth--from the Academy! Roger's been
cleared of all charges."
"Cleared?" stammered Tom.
"Absolutely! When I sealed the radar bridge after the crash, a security
officer examined the settings on the scanners and transmitting
equipment. They showed that Roger _had_ been on duty at the time--that
he had been tracking the ship as he claimed."
"Then what was the reason for the crash?"
"Security isn't sure yet. An acceleration control lever is missing from
the wreckage. And it wasn't broken off as a result of the crash. Now
Loring and Mason are wanted for further questioning."
Tom looked at his unit-mate, Astro. The big Venusian had his head turned
to one side; he seemed to be staring out over the vast writhing jungle.
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