"Get the reactor unit over here and set the
fuse."
Roger picked up the heavy lead box and placed it gently inside the hole.
"Remember," Astro cautioned, "set the fuse for two hours."
"No, you're wrong," replied Roger. "I've set the fuses each time,
subtracting the amount of time since we left the _Polaris_. I set this
one for twenty minutes."
"You're wrong, Roger," said Astro. "It's maximum time is two hours."
"Listen, you Venusian clunk," exploded Roger, "_I_ built this thing, so
I know what I'm doing!"
"But, Roger--" protested Astro.
"Twenty minutes!" said Roger, and twisted the set-screw in the fuse.
"O.K., it's all set. Let's get out of here!"
The two cadets raced back to the jet boat and blasted off immediately.
Once in space, Astro turned to Roger.
"Better check in with Major Connel before he tears himself to pieces!"
"Yeah," agreed Roger. "I guess you're right." He flipped on the audio
communicator. "Attention! Attention! Manning to Major Connel. Am making
flight back to _Polaris_. All installations complete."
[Illustration: "_Remember," Astro cautioned, "set the fuse for two
hours.
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