"Calling Warrior Patrol—Calling Warrior Patrol."
"That's Leader Van Nordast," Lieutenant Breecher said in a low voice. "Something's up."
Van Nordast's face was on the screen. He looked powerful, compact, business-like.
"The Warrior Patrol will not come to base tonight. It will protect the outer entrance to the asteroid tunnel.
"A hundred extra ships are being sent at once. They will join the Patrol near the Tunnel Patrol ship, and base there until further orders come from this office.
"Post guards and watch that tunnel. By tomorrow, news will be up to date and I will give you further instructions."
The image on the screen sighed.
"You may as well know tonight. Vestena didn't wait for us to make plans. It tried to destroy the tunnel today. Sabotage, with a few suicide ships.
"A few men were killed but the attempt failed. That is all. Proceed to base."
The screen was empty again, and Blair Freedman was cussing and wondering if maybe Jerry Graham had been right.