"I know how you feel," sighed Astro. "Being in the enlisted section—is like—well, being a passenger—almost."
The door was suddenly flung open.
"Haul off them bunks, you blasted Earthworms!"
McKenny stood in the doorway in his usual aggressive pose, and Tom and Astro hit the floor together to stand at attention.
"Where's the other cadet?"
"He went with Captain Strong, sir." answered Tom.
"Oh?" said Mike. And in a surprisingly soft tone he added, "You two pulled green slips, eh?"
"Yes, sir," they replied together.
"Well, I don't know how you did it, but congratulations. You passed the classification tests. Both of you."
Tom just looked at the scarlet-clad, stumpy warrant officer. He couldn't believe his ears. Suddenly he felt as if he had been lifted off his feet. And then he realized that he was off his feet. Astro was holding him over his head. Then he dumped him in his bunk as easily as if he had been a child. And at the same time, the big Venusian let out a loud, long, earsplitting yell.