PASSED CADETS Dodson and Jarman, freshly detached from the P.R.S. Pegasus, at Terra Station out from New Auckland, climbed out of the Randolph's scooter and into the Randolph herself. Cadet Jensen was not with them; Oscar, on despatch authorization from the Academy, had been granted six months for leave at home, with the understanding that he would be ordered to temporary duty in the course of it, to accompany the first consul to the equatorial regions to his station and assist in establishing liaison. Matt and Tex showed their orders to the officer of the watch and left with him the inevitable copies. He gave them their rooming assignments-in Hog Alley, in a room with a different number but otherwise like the one they had had. "Seems like we never left it," remarked Tex, as he unpacked his jump bag.
"Except it seems funny not to have Oz and Pete around." j
"Yeah, I keep expecting Oz to stick his head in and ask if we'd like to team up with him and Pete."
The room phone sounded, Tex answered.
"Cadet Jarman?"
"Speaking."
"The Commandant's compliments-you are to report to his office at once."
"Aye aye, sir." He switched off and continued to Matt. "They don't waste much time, do they?" He looked thoughtful and added, "You know what I think?"
"Maybe I can guess."
"Well, this quick service looks promising. And we did do quite a job, Matt. There's no getting around to it."