ng before earth was reached, and they both knew it. Rip didn't hesitate.
He reached the crater's edge and walked right down into it.

They were out of sight of the Connies now. Rip walked up the other side of
the crater until his bubble was just below ground level. The chunks of
thorium he had ordered thrown in to block some of the radiation made
walking a little difficult.

"Santos," he said, "we're in the second crater."

"Sir, I'm beyond the first, between two crystals. Pederson is near you
somewhere."

"Good. When I give the word, turn up your helmet light until they can see
a pretty good glow. Keep watching them." The bubbles were equipped with
lights, but they were seldom used. He outlined his plan swiftly. Both
Santos and Dowst acknowledged.

Koa reported in. "We're after two more Connies near the wreck of the
landing boat, sir."

"Be careful. Pederson, go help Koa. Nunez, how are things at the cave?"

"Nunez reporting, sir. Two Connies in sight, but they haven't seen us
yet."

"Let me know when they spot the cave."

"Yes, sir."

"Santos, go ahead."

For long moments there was silence. Rip felt for a solid foothold, found
one, and flexed his knees. He kept his back straight and his eyes on the
crater rim. His hands were occupied with two air bottles taken from his
belt, and his thumbs were on their valve releases. He waited patiently for
word from Santos that his helmet glow had been seen.

Santos yelled, "Now!"

Rip's legs straightened with a mighty thrust. He flashed into space
headfirst, at an angle that took him over the crater's rim and 50 feet
above the ground. He caught a glimpse of Santos's helmet, glowing like a
pink balloon, and of the three Connies facing it, one with gun upraised.

Rip's arms flashed above his head. His thumbs compressed. Air spurted from
the two bottles, driving him downward, feet first, directly at the heads
of the Connies!

CHAPTER TEN - GET THE SCOPRION!

From the corner of his eye Rip saw Dowst's heavy space boots and knew the
private was right with him. As they drove down, one of the Connies stepped
a little distance away from the others, probably to get a better look at
Santos. The Connie sensed something and turned, just as Rip and Dowst
flashed downward on his two mates.

Rip's boots caught one Connie where his bubble joined his suit, and the
impact drove the man downward to the unyielding surface of the asteroid
with a soundless smash. Rip thr