"Good idea, sir," acknowledged Tom.
"But I can't understand Devers' motive," said Connel. "What does he stand to gain if this project is a failure?"
"He'll lose plenty if it's a success," Tom asserted.
"Devers owns Jilolo Spaceways, the parent company of Universal Jet Trucking and Surface Transportation! If the projectiles worked, surface cargo delivery would be wiped out."
Before Connel could comment on Tom's startling revelation, they heard the sound of angry voices just outside the control-deck hatch.
"That must be Astro and Roger bringing in Barret," said Tom with a grin.
The hatch clanked open and Astro appeared, carrying Roger under one arm and Barret under the other. He dropped them both unceremoniously on the deck, but when they jumped to their feet, Roger charged forward quickly and landed a stinging right to Barret's jaw. The man dropped to the deck again like a stone.
"Manning!" roared Connel. "What was the idea?"
"I wanted to make sure I got in my licks before the Solar Guard got hold of him," replied Roger, rubbing his knuckles and looking down at Barret's inert form.
Astro grinned sheepishly. "I tried to stop him, sir!" he said.