"Congratulate him?" exclaimed Roger. "Skipper, his head's so thick, the noise on the power deck can't even reach his eardrums!"
"Just one more word, Manning," growled Astro, "and I'll take a deep breath and blow you away!"
"One more word out of either of you," roared Connel, "and I'll throw you both in the brig with Mason and Loring!"
Suddenly he glared at the five spacemen. "Who's on prisoner watch today?" he asked.
The four cadets and Mr. Shinny looked at each other then at Roger.
"Uhhh—I am, sir," Roger confessed.
"I had a sneaking suspicion you would be!" said Connel. "Cadet Manning, one of the first things an officer of the Solar Guard learns is to care for the needs of his men and prisoners before himself. Did you know that, Cadet Manning?"
"Uhhh—yes, sir. I was just going to—" mumbled Roger.
"Then go below and see that Mason and Loring get their rations!"
"Yes, sir," said Roger. He got up and collected a tray of food.