Rawson turned, and his voice was icy. "Mr. Durk! Consider yourself under arrest!"
"Ha, ha, ha—"
Durk's laugh made the short hairs on Rawson's neck tingle. But Rawson snapped back in a voice that he tried to hold steady. "You're an excellent underofficer, Durk—when you obey commands. But you'll never be captain!"
The space ship was plunging forward like a running blindman, directly into the belt of minor planets.
"Awh—I got a right!" Durk cried bitterly. "Ain't I been second in command for ten years? I know all the ropes—"
"You lack training in science and mathematics. That's vital these days!"
"I'll be captain yet. Wait and see! Yah can't arrest me. The crew won't take your orders without my say-so. And yah can't report me. It's yore word against me and the crew!"
Rawson lifted his chin courageously. He knew Durk spoke the truth. And he knew that he'd never break Durk by force—
Fighting the man's will would only build up the volcano pressure inside him more intensely. Rawson determined on a psychological trick. He would allow Durk his chance at command.