_"]
"What took you so long, Manning?" barked Connel in reply. "And why
didn't you answer me?"
"Couldn't, sir," said Roger. "We had a tough time digging a hole for the
last unit."
"Come back to the _Polaris_ immediately," said Connel. "We're blasting
off in fifteen minutes."
"Very well, sir," said Roger.
Presently the jet boat circled the _Polaris_ and made a landing run for
the open port. Roger braked the small craft and brought it to rest
alongside the others.
"That's it, spaceboy," he said to Astro. "All out for the _Polaris_
express back home!"
"Just be sure you give me a good course, Manning," grunted Astro,
heaving his huge frame out of the small cabin of the jet boat, "and I'll
give you all the thrust you want!"
Astro secured the jet boats while Roger closed the air-lock hatch,
shutting out the last view of the rugged little planetoid. Roger threw
the landscape a mocking kiss.
"So long, Junior! See you back home!" The two cadets climbed the ladder
leading to the control deck.
Seated in front of the control panel, Tom watched the sweeping hand of
the solar clock. Connel paced nervously up and down behind him.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202