tube did not have its
own fuel supply. One fuel tank served each globe. The pilot could direct
the exhaust through any tube or combination of tubes he wished, by
operating valves that either sealed or opened the vents.

The system gave high maneuverability to the boats. By playing on the
controls with the skill of an organist, the pilot could shift direction
with dazzling speed.

Snapper-boats used by the Federation operated on the same principle, but
they were of American design, and they showed the American's love of clean
lines. Federation fighter craft were slim and streamlined, even though the
streamlining was of no use whatever in space. With blast holes at each
end, they looked like double-ended needles. The pilot's canopy in the
center controlled guns that fired through the front only. Rear guns were
handled by a gunner, who sat with back to the pilot.

Where Connie snapper-boats carried five men, the Federation boats carried
two. The Connies could fire in any direction. The Federation pilots aimed
by pointing the snapper-boat itself, as fighter pilots of conventional
aircraft had once aimed their guns.

Rip watched the boats approach. He was ready to duck inside if they
decided to look the asteroid over before landing. He hoped they wouldn't
catch sight of his two scouts. He also hoped his nervousness would vanish
when the fight started. He knew what to do, at least in theory. He had
gone through combat problems on the moon during training. But this was
different. This was real. The lives of his men depended on his being
right, and he was afraid of making a wrong decision.

Sergeant-major Koa, an experienced Planeteer with a lot of understanding,
came and stood beside him. He said, "Guess I'll never get over being
jittery while waiting for the fight to start. I'm sweating so hard my
dehumidifier is humming like a Callistan honey lizard. But it doesn't last
long once the shooting begins. I get so busy I forget to be jittery."

Before Rip could reply, the snapper-boats flashed over the cave, circled
the asteroid once, and landed on the dark side close by the bomb craters.

The first scout reported. "Santos, sir. I'm fifty yards beyond the stakes
where we had the first base. The snapper-boats landed between the first
two craters. Men coming out of one boat. I count six. Now they're coming
out of the other boat, but I can't see very well."

The other scout picked up the report, his Swedish accent thick with