Someone in civil authority had slipped. Had Gunderson really felt that a simple injunction would stop everything, that the E's would not challenge this encroachment? Was he playing some deeper game, allowing the Junior to slip through his fingers in the hope he would louse up the Eden rescue, add strength to the campaign to bring the E's back under civil control—his control?
Or had someone genuinely slipped?
The command to halt, turn around, and return to base did not come until their second hop had brought them into the Mars orbit. Then it came from space police in charge of shipping traffic at that point.
"I am under orders from E.H.Q. to proceed," Tom answered, after a quick, questioning look at Cal.
"The attorney general's office orders you to halt," the voice commanded.
Tom looked at Cal again, questioning. This was bucking the federal government, his license wouldn't be worth the paper it was written on if he ignored the order. To say nothing of any other punishment they might choose to hand him.
"Keep going," Cal answered shortly. "And make your next jump as quickly as you can."
"I am under orders to keep going," Tom answered the police. If he refused the request of an E, a lifetime of work would go down the drain.
Over in his seat, Frank Norton's fingers were speeding through the intricate pattern of setting up the next jump. He and Louie were working as one man.
"I am under orders to disable you if you refuse," the police warned.