Only the sly humor of Shinny had saved Roger from the monotony of
the long haul through space.
Roger absently flipped the scanner to its farthest range. He had been
observing the planet Tara for several hours and knew its shape fairly
well. But he suddenly jerked to attention. His hands trembled slightly
as he peered intently at the scope. Finally he slumped back. There was
no doubt about it. On the scanner was a jet boat in flight.
"Hey, Loring! Shinny! Mason! Get up here on the double!" he yelled into
the intercom.
"What's up?" demanded Loring.
"Get up here!" shouted Roger. "We're in for trouble--plenty of trouble!"
Presently the three spacemen were grouped around the scanner, staring at
the unmistakable outline of a jet boat.
"By the rings of Saturn," declared Loring, "it must be Connel and his
crew!"
"What're we going to do?" whined Mason.
Loring's face darkened. "Only one thing we can do now," he growled.
"What do you mean?" asked Roger.
"I mean that we're going to blast them!" Loring snarled. "Connel and
whoever else is with him!"
"But--but--" stammered Roger, "the _Polaris_ crew is down there!"
"Listen, Manning!" Loring turned to the cadet.
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