A flame of eager hope leaped into the haggard eyes of the Earth Government executive.
"It's the best plan yet, Thorn! But dare you enter the Zone and seek out this pirate girl? Those corsairs are ferociously hostile and suspicious of all strangers."
"You forget, sir,” flashed John Thorn, “that we are the Three Planeteers!"
"Yes,” rumbled Gunner Welk, cold blue eyes gleaming. “We have a reputation of our own among the outlaws of the system, sir."
Sual Av grinned.
"I always did have a hidden longing to be a pirate."
"Thorn, you give me new hope!” declared the Chairman. “If you can do this, in the little time left us—"
"Listen!” commanded Gunner Welk suddenly.
Through the locked door and metal-shuttered window of the study penetrated a rising tumult, the roar of rocket-cars racing up to the mansion. Then came a rush of running feet through it, and a loud knock on the door.
"Mr. Hoskins!” called a secretary anxiously to the Chairman through the door. “The police are here! They say the Three Planeteers are in the city tonight, and were glimpsed by spy-plates heading toward this mansion. They want to make sure you're safe."