"That's my ship," the Thing remarked presently.
Channok ignored it.
"And you're all alone," said the Thing.
"No, I'm not!" said Channok. "Peer's with me."
"Peer's gone back to Santis," said the Thing. "You're all alone! Except," it added, "for me."
"Well, good-by!" Channok said firmly. There was no point in getting too chummy with it. He punched the Ra-Twelve's drives down as far as they would go, and the crate vanished.
How that ship could travel! Nothing could hope to keep up with him now—except, perhaps, that round, red glare of light just behind the Ra-Twelve.
That was actually overtaking him, and fast. It was coming up like a cosmic police-ship, with a huge, hollow noise rushing before it. Channok listened apprehensively. Suddenly, there were words:
"WHOO-WHOOO!" it howled. "This is the Space Ghost!"
He shot up out of his chair like a jabbed cat, knocking it over, and glared around.