Part 30 (1/2)

Roger shook his head. ”The instruments just went out, sir,” he said. ”I never saw anything like it, and when the professor wanted to go down in a jet boat first to investigate, Vidac insisted on taking the _Polaris_ down, anyway. He brought her in by the seat of his pants....”

”Only because Tom took over when he got cold feet,” chimed in Astro.

”Yeah,” agreed Roger. ”But the others couldn't do it. They just splashed in.”

”And there hasn't been any explanation of why the instruments went out?”

”I haven't heard any, sir,” said Astro. ”Professor Sykes started out right after we landed to investigate the satellite, but I never heard anything more about it. When I asked him one day if he had found anything, he told me to mind my own business.”

”And now you're accused of abducting and murdering the professor,” mused Strong.

”That's it, sir,” said Tom. ”As I said, we didn't want to give you anything but the facts as we know them. There are a lot of incidents that would show Vidac is trying to pull something funny, but nothing that could be proved.”

Strong nodded. ”Well, it certainly looks as though Vidac is--”

Strong was suddenly interrupted by Bush who stepped into the room arrogantly, paralo-ray gun in hand.

”Time's up!” he yelled, waving the gun at Strong.

”I've warned you about holding a weapon on a Solar Guard officer,”

snapped Strong, rising to face the man. ”Either put that thing away or use it.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: _”Hasn't anybody figured out why four hundred s.h.i.+ps crashed in landing?” Strong asked._]

Bush glanced at the smiling cadets and turned back to Strong.

”Your time is up,” he growled. ”Get out!”

”I said,” replied Strong coldly, ”either use that thing or put it away!”

Bush glared at Strong, but the gun in his hand began to waver. ”I said your time's up!” he repeated, but there was considerably less conviction in his voice.

Suddenly Strong stepped forward and grabbed the man's wrist, forcing the gun down. As Bush started to struggle, Strong tightened his grip, and the victim's face grew white with pain. Slowly Bush's fingers opened and the paralo-ray weapon dropped to the floor.

”Now pick it up and get out of here!” barked Strong, releasing Bush's arm. ”I'm going to stay with the cadets as long as I want. And if you ever pull a gun on me again, I'll make you eat it!”

He turned his back to Bush and faced the cadets again. Bush dove for the gun, raised it threateningly, then suddenly walked out of the room, slamming the door as hard as he could. The cadets sighed in relief and Strong smiled.

”Let's see what Vidac makes of that,” he said. ”Now, let's get down to business. There's only one thing I can do right now.”

”Yes, sir?” asked Tom, waiting attentively.

”I'm going to talk with a few of the colonists and see what else I can pick up. Meantime, you just take it easy. And if that s.p.a.ce jerk outside gives you any trouble”--Strong paused and smiled--”show him a few of your wrestling tricks, Astro.”

The big Venusian nodded enthusiastically. ”My pleasure, Captain.”

Strong stood up and shook hands with each of them. ”From what you've told me,” he said, ”I think I should see Hyram Logan first.”

”Yes, sir,” said Tom. ”He's sort of the spokesman for the rest of the colonists. He can give you a lot of information.”

”Good!” said Strong. ”Where will I find him?”