The Connie was gaining speed, blasting straight toward him. Rip sped forward, and crossed to the sun side, intent on the cave entrance, but no longer sure he would make it. The Connie's nose tube shot a cylinder of flame forward, reaching for the asteroid. He saw the fire lick downward and sweep toward him with appalling speed as he put everything he had in a frantic dive for the cave entrance. The flaming rocket exhaust seemed to snatch at him as a dozen hands pulled him to safety, then beat the sparks from his suit.
He was safe. He leaned against Koa, his heart thumping wildly. For a moment or two he couldn't speak, then he managed, "Thanks."
Koa spoke for the Planeteers. "We're the ones to say thanks, sir. If you hadn't thought of stalling the cruiser, and if you hadn't stayed behind to give us[pg 141] time, we'd have some casualties, and so would the Connies we captured."
"There wasn't anything else I could do," Rip replied. "Come on, Koa. Let's see what the cruiser is doing."
They stepped outside. The metal was already cold again. Things didn't stay hot in the vacuum of space.
They didn't see the Connie until the fire of its exhaust suddenly blasted above the horizon, then they ducked for cover. The cruiser had taken a swing at the other side of the asteroid. They peered out again and saw it making a turn to come back.
"He won't get us," Rip said confidently. "Our tough time will come when he sends a fleet of snapper-boats."
"We'll get a few," Koa replied grimly. "Wait! What's he doing?"
The cruiser had started for the asteroid. Suddenly jets flamed from every quarter of the ship. He was using all steering jets at once! Rip watched, bewildered, as the great ship spun slowly, advanced, then settled to a stop just at the horizon.
"He can't be launching boats already," he said worriedly. "What's he up to?"