"Mr. Bareen, please. This is important."
"I'm sorry, sir. Mr. Bareen has taken the sub-spacer back to the interplanetary sub-space tunnel."
"Thank you," Jansen said automatically. There was a small sub-space tunnel connecting the irrigation station with the big interplanetary space-warp, Jansen knew. Even now Bareen and Wendy Hilliard, having inspected the plant, were a hundred thousand miles away, in deep space, at the tunnel station.
While Jansen was thinking, the communications system board flashed and a voice said:
"Emergency! Emergency! Someone has stolen a buggy and is believed heading for the irrigation station. He may be armed and is probably dangerous."
Jansen acknowledged the information, then said: "The buggy just passed this way, but it kept going."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
"Thanks. We'll relay the information."
That ruse would give him a few minutes, Jansen knew. But for what purpose?