Part 37 (1/2)

”Ran out on you. I thought you three were supposed to be such good buddies?”

”When the chips were down,” said Astro as harshly as he could, ”they turned out to be nothing but yellow rats!”

”Which way did they go?”

”I don't know,” said Astro. ”It happened last night. We went to sleep, and when I woke up, they were gone.”

”Where'd they go?” snarled the man, pus.h.i.+ng the ray gun into Astro's back.

”I--I--” Astro pretended he didn't want to talk.

”I'll freeze you, so help me,” said the man. ”I'm going to count five--one, two, three, four--”

”Don't! I'll tell you!” cried Astro. ”I'm not sure, but I think they headed back for the city. We were talking about it last night. We figured it would be the best place to hide.”

”Ummm. That makes sense,” said the man. ”I guess you're telling the truth. Now get down the hill. One false move and I'll blast you!”

Astro turned and stumbled down the hill in front of the paralo-ray gun.

A smile tugged at his lips.

Vidac and Bush were waiting for them on the highway at the bottom of the hill.

”Where are Corbett and Manning?” Vidac demanded, looking at Astro.

Astro repeated the story about Tom and Roger having deserted him.

Vidac eyed him speculatively. ”They just walked out on you?” he asked.

Astro nodded.

Vidac turned to the colonists who were standing around listening to the giant Venusian's story. ”All right, men,” he said, ”I guess he's telling the truth. Back to the city. There aren't too many places they could be hiding.”

The men turned and ran for their cars. Vidac continued to look at Astro, a thin smile tugging at his lips, his eyes twinkling. ”You stay here with me, Bush,” said Vidac.

”But you said--”

”Never mind what I said,” snapped Vidac. ”I'm telling you to stay here.

Have some of the colonists double up and leave a jet car here.”

In a few moments the rest of the jet cars were roaring off toward the city. Vidac waited until the last car had vanished down the road, then he turned to Astro, ”Do you really think you fooled me with that stuff about Manning and Corbett running out on you?”

”What happened to them then?” asked Astro innocently.

”We'll see,” said Vidac softly, looking up into the hills.

Holding a paralo-ray gun on the giant cadet, Vidac forced him into his jet car. Bush slid under the wheel and started the jets.

”You think the cadets are still up there in the hills?” asked Bush.