"So that's it," he thought. "A hop into deep space for the Polaris unit!" He smiled. "The cadets of the Polaris unit are in for a little surprise in two ways," he thought. "One from the mission and one from Major Connel!"
He almost laughed out loud as he turned to the small desk teleceiver at his elbow. He pressed a button immediately below the screen and it glowed into life to reveal a young man in the uniform of the enlisted guard.
"Yes, Captain Strong?" he asked.
"Call the cadets of the Polaris unit," Strong ordered. "Have them report to me here on the double!"
"Aye, aye, sir."
Strong started to turn the set off, but the enlisted man added, "By the way, sir, Al Mason and Bill Loring are here to see you."
"Oh—well—" Strong hesitated.
"They're quite anxious to know if you've reached any decision regarding their petition for reinstatement."
"Mmm—yes, of course. Very well, send them in."
"Aye, aye, sir."