"There was one place you couldn't go. You were too big, so I went in, remember?"
"Yeah, the space between the rocket tubes and the hull of the ship. It was when we were putting in the new tube. So what?"
"So this!" said Tom. "When they converted this tub, they had standard exhausts, so it must have the same layout as the Polaris. Suppose I climb in the main exhaust, between the tube and the outer hull, and cut away the cleats that hold the tube to the ship?"
"Why, then everything would come out in one piece!" Astro's face lit up. "Reactant mass, tube, control box—the works!"
"Say, what are you two guys talking about?" asked Roger.
"Saving a ship, Roger," said Tom. "Dumping the whole assembly of the number-three rocket!"
"Ah—you're space happy!"
"Maybe," said Tom, "but I think it's worth trying. How about it, Astro?"
"O.K. by me, Tom," replied Astro.
"Good. You get the cutting torches rigged, Astro. Roger, you give him a hand and keep your eye on the counter. Then feed the torches to me when I get inside the tube. I'm going outside to get rid of a bad rocket and save a five-million-credit spaceship!"