"Neil, you traitor!" fumed Bull Mike.
"I wouldn't call names if I were in your shoes," rejoined Neil, crossing to the panel which led into the storeroom, and opening it. "Yaxa, this ship is well supplied with everything we need on the voyage. Shall we leave?"
"Yes, of course. What shall we do with these friends of yours?"
"Don't call me a friend of his," growled Bull Mike.
"We'll take them along," replied Neil, taking no notice of his former chum's remark. "If we let them go now they'll rouse the whole planet on us. As it is, the force that is tackling your asteroid doesn't leave for two days yet. That ought to be head start enough for us."
It seemed that nobody at the rocketport noticed the departure of the Martian ship. If notice was taken, perhaps it was reflected that there were Terrestrial guards on board and that all must be well. Unhindered, the craft went up and out, cleared the atmospheric envelope and headed for the bright speck in the sky that marked the sham world which was its goal.
For a few hours there was silence aboard between the captives and the captors, but at length Sukune spoke up with a smile.
"Why be unreasonable about this thing?" he said. "If we're to be together for two months or so in space, we might as well be pleasant about it. I, for one, will accept defeat gracefully if you'll let me."
"Gladly," said Yaxa.