"That's right, Astro," said Connel, "and if you released the rope, the rock would fly in the direction it was headed, when you let go!"
"I get it," cried Tom excitedly. "The gravity of Tara is the rope holding Junior—ah"—he fumbled—"making it swing around!"
"And the reactant power of the Space Devil placed in the right spot would be the trigger to make it let go!" commented Roger.
"It's as simple as that, boys!" said Connel with a smile.
"But how in the blazing beams of the sun are you going to stop that blasted thing when you get it rolling?" asked Shinny.
"The chances of Junior hitting anything on the way home are so small it doesn't present a problem. So we just aim Junior for our solar system! Later on, arrangements can be made to steer it into an orbit around our sun."
"You know," wheezed Shinny, his merry eyes twinkling, "that sounds pretty neat!"
"It is," replied Connel. He leaned against the control-board desk top and folded his arms across his massive chest. He looked at each of the cadets and Shinny a long time before speaking. Finally he stepped forward and stood among them, turning now and then to speak directly to each of them.
"We have only four days, five hours, and some few minutes to pull Junior out of Tara's grip, and later, the grip of Alpha Centauri. You boys will have to work as you've never worked before. You'll do things you never dreamed you could do. You'll work until your brains ache and your bodies scream. But when you're finished, you will have accomplished one of man's greatest challenges. You're going to do all this because I know you can—and I'm going to see that you do! Is that clear?"
There was a barely audible "Yes, sir" from the cadets.