"Have you found the Space Lance yet, Astro?" asked Kit Barnard, glancing over his shoulder at the giant Venusian, standing at the radarscope.
"I think I'm getting it now," said Astro. "Either that or I've picked up an asteroid."
"Not likely," said Kit. "We're too far from the belt to have anything that big drifting around without being charted. It must be Sticoon."
"Boy!" chuckled Astro. "This reactor really packs a load of power!"
"How are we doing on fuel, Sid?" Kit called into the intercom.
"We lost a lot trying to prime the pumps," replied the young crew chief. "We have to touch down on Deimos and refuel."
"That's all right," replied Kit with a smile. "We're gaining on Sticoon fast. We should make Deimos about the same time. I wonder where Quent Miles is by now."
"Probably wishing he had stopped for fuel!" interjected Astro with a sour look on his face.
"See if you can pick up Sticoon on the audioceiver, Astro," said Kit. "Ask him for an estimated time of arrival on Deimos. One of us will have to come in first."
Astro flipped the switch on the panel and began his call "Good Company to Space Lance, come in!"