Sinclair wasn't able to get clear in time
Tom fell to the floor under the savagery of the rebel leader's attack. Sinclair lifted his foot to kick the cadet as Tom's fingers tightened around the barrel of the discarded ray gun. He brought it up sharply against the planter's shin and he staggered back in pain. Tom took careful aim. He fired the gun. Nothing happened. The gun was empty.
Sinclair rushed the cadet again, but Tom stepped aside and swung the heavy gun with all his might. The metal smashed against Sinclair's head and he sank to the deck, out cold.
The last rebel of Venus had been defeated.
"We found Roger trying to keep the slaves away from the guards," said Strong. "They were ready to tear them apart!"
"Can't say that I blame them," snorted Connel. "Some of those poor devils had been working in the caves for three years!"
Tom, Roger, and Astro sat sprawled in chairs in one of the offices of the Nationalist headquarters listening to Strong and Major Connel sum up the day's battle. The entire army of Nationalist guards, Division Chiefs, and workers had been rounded up and put aboard the troop carriers to be taken to a prison asteroid. Each individual rebel would be dealt with under special court proceedings to be established by Solar Alliance decree later.
"There are still some things I don't understand," said Astro. "How did they know you were going to investigate them in the first place?"