"Pessimist!" They turned out of Hog Alley, went inboard three decks, and forward. There was a clot of cadets gathered around the bulletin board outside the watch office. They crowded in.

Pete spotted his own name at once. "Look!" The paragraph read: "Armand, Pierre-temporary duty P.R.S. Charles' Wain, rpt. Terr.St, dtch. Leda, Ganymed, d.&a.o."

"Look!" he repeated. "I'm going home-'delay and await orders.'"

Oscar patted his shoulder. "Congratulations, Pete-that's swell. Now if you will kindly get your carcass out of the way-"

Matt spoke up. "I'm on it!"

"What ship?" asked Tex.

"The Aes Triplex."

Oscar turned at this. "What ship?"

"Aes Triplex."

"Matt-that's my ship. We're shipmates, boy!"