"I don't know yet, Tiny. But you do what I told you and then hurry right back to me and tell me what they said!"
The boy nodded and hurried off. From the window, Tom watched him climb on his jet bike and roar off into the gathering darkness toward the Academy.
It was nearly two hours before he heard the jet bike return and he hurried to the door, waiting impatiently for the boy to come in. When the door opened and Tiny stepped in, Tom sensed immediately that something was wrong.
"Tom!" gasped Tiny, his eyes wide with shock. "You know what happened?"
"What?"
"Roger and Astro—" the boy stopped, seemingly unable to go on.
"Didn't you see them?" demanded Tom.
"Naw, I couldn't. They wouldn't let me."
"Who wouldn't let you?"
"The guards."