"Report from the power deck, sir," said Astro. "Acceleration normal. Request permission to open up on hyperdrive."
"Permission granted!" said Connel.
"Look, sir," said Tom, "on the teleceiver screen. Junior is getting his bumps!"
Connel glanced up at the screen. One by one the white puffs of dust from the reactor units were exploding on the surface of the planetoid. Soon the whole satellite was covered with the radioactive cloud.
"I'm sure glad we're not on that baby now," whispered Tom.
"Same here, spaceman!" said Connel.
It was evening of the first full day after leaving Junior before the routine of the long haul back to Space Academy had begun. The Polaris was on automatic control, and everyone was assembled in the messroom.
"Well, boys," said Connel, "our mission is a complete success. I've finished making out a report to Space Academy, and everything's fine. Incidentally, Manning," he continued, "if you're worried about having broken your word when you escaped from the space station, forget it. You more than made up for it by your [work] in helping us get Loring and Mason."
Roger smiled gratefully and gulped, "Thank you, sir."
Loring and Mason, who had eaten their meal separately from the others, listened silently. Loring got up and faced them. The room became silent.