"Or," chuckled O'Day, "really learn how to play a good game of tri-chess.[10] But this is no time to be talking about things like that. The first problem is: how are we going to contact the Magogeans again?"
"I think—" Hugh Warren had risen abruptly to his feet as a light flashed on the signal panel before them—"I think we won't have to worry about that problem. The Magogeans seem to have already contacted us! See that warning? It means there is someone at the airlocks."
"Then quickly," snapped Gary, "turn on the force-shield, Hugh!"
Dr. Kang shook his head. "It is too late, now. If invaders have lighted the warning signal they are already inside the protective envelope." He turned worried eyes to the space patrolman. "What shall we do, Captain?"
"There's only one thing to do," grunted Warren. "Find out who it is, then blast them to hell-and-gone out. Hawkins!" He bawled the name out over the audio. A moment later the little cockney steward bustled into the turret.
"Comin' hup, Captain. You called me?"
"Yes. Break open the ordnance lockers. Supply every man aboard with arms. I'm afraid we have visitors."
Hawkins grinned impishly. He didn't scare easily. "Right, Cap'n. Side arms all around it is, sir." And he scampered away as Warren turned to his companions.
"All right. Let's go have a little look-see at our unexpected guests."
Moments later they were standing in the companionway beside the fore sta'b'rd lock. As the turret's warning system had advised, someone was outside the ship. A duplicate signal, activated by electric eye, was flashing on the airlock's inner port. Not only that, but through the aerated protection chamber could be heard faint noises of someone rapping or fumbling with the exterior controls.