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Updated: May 29, 2025
Then faster and faster, pushing the four spacemen deep into their acceleration cushions, it hurtled spaceward. In a few seconds the Polaris was gravity-free. Once again, Earthmen had started another journey to the stars. "Stand by to reduce speed three-quarters!" roared Major Connel. "Aye, aye, sir," replied Tom, and began the necessary adjustments on the control panel. He spoke into the intercom.
Commander Walters stood at the viewport watching the mighty Polaris slide alongside the black ship toward the coupling devices that would lock the two ships together in space. "A little more!" said Walters. "About twenty feet!" "Short burst on the main jets!" Strong called into the intercom. "Aye, aye!" shouted Astro from below.
"Oh, I forgot all about him," said Tom. "Guess he didn't get into an acceleration chair in time. Better get some more water." "We haven't time for him now!" snapped Connel. "Strap him in good and tight. We've got to find out where that torpedo came from." As though in answer to the major's order, there was a sudden call over the ship's intercom. "Radar bridge to control deck, check in!"
Ten miles farther east, in almost a direct line with National and Bolling, was Andrews AFB. It also had a short- range radar. All of these airfields were linked together by an intercom system. Then the intelligence officer went on to tell about the sighting.
"All secure," she told the captain. "Evacuation is complete." "Well handled," he said to her, then over the intercom: "This is your captain. Our evacuation to the flare-shield area is complete. The ship and personnel are secured for emergency conditions, and were secured well within the time available. May I congratulate you. "The proton storm is now raging outside.
It jarred suddenly then was quiet. He allowed ten minutes to pass, then he cut off the drive and allowed the ship to go into free fall. Morey's voice came over the intercom. "Arcot, things are really busted up down here! We had to haywire half the drive together." "I'll be right down. Every instrument on the ship seems to be out of kilter!"
"I've just received orders from Commander Walters to proceed to Mars with both ships. I'll blast off now and you three follow along on the Lady Venus. Any questions?" "I don't have any, sir," Tom said, "but I'll check with Roger and Astro to see if they have any." Tom turned to the intercom and informed the radar and power-deck cadets of their orders, and asked if there were any questions.
"And I'm sure Astro and Roger would, too. We were so mad, we could have blasted them on the spot." Connel turned to the intercom and shouted, "Manning, haven't you got that circuit through yet?" "Working on it, sir." Roger's voice was smooth and unruffled over the intercom. "I'm in contact with the commander's ship now. They're calling him to the radar bridge now."
Satisfied, he flipped open the intercom and called, "All stations, check in!" "Radar deck, aye!" drawled Roger's lazy voice. "Power deck, aye!" rumbled Astro. "Energize the cooling pumps!" ordered Tom. "Cooling pumps, aye!" The whine of the mighty pumps was suddenly heard, moaning eerily throughout the ship. "Feed reactant!"
Strong turned to the intercom mike, calling, "Captain Strong to control tower, check in." "Say, I'd like to see this fellow blast," said Tom. "He's supposed to be one of the hottest pilots ever to hit space." "Yeah," agreed Roger. "He's so good I don't see how anyone else could have a chance."
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