dared. With little gravity on the asteroid, he
couldn't fall, but a false step could lift him into space and make him
lose time while he got out an air bottle to propel him down again. The
thought gave him an idea. Without slowing he took two bottles from his
belt, turned them so the openings were to his rear, and squeezed the
release valves.

The Connie was gaining speed, blasting straight toward him. Rip sped
forward, and crossed to the sun side, intent on the cave entrance, but no
longer sure he would make it. The Connie's nose tube shot a cylinder of
flame forward, reaching for the asteroid. He saw the fire lick downward
and sweep toward him with appalling speed as he put everything he had in a
frantic dive for the cave entrance. The flaming rocket exhaust seemed to
snatch at him as a dozen hands pulled him to safety, then beat the sparks
from his suit.

He was safe. He leaned against Koa, his heart thumping wildly. For a
moment or two he couldn't speak, then he managed, "Thanks."

Koa spoke for the Planeteers. "We're the ones to say thanks, sir. If you
hadn't thought of stalling the cruiser, and if you hadn't stayed behind to
give us time, we'd have some casualties, and so would the Connies we
captured."

"There wasn't anything else I could do," Rip replied. "Come on, Koa. Let's
see what the cruiser is doing."

They stepped outside. The metal was already cold again. Things didn't stay
hot in the vacuum of space.

They didn't see the Connie until the fire of its exhaust suddenly blasted
above the horizon, then they ducked for cover. The cruiser had taken a
swing at the other side of the asteroid. They peered out again and saw it
making a turn to come back.

"He won't get us," Rip said confidently. "Our tough time will come when he
sends a fleet of snapper-boats."

"We'll get a few," Koa replied grimly. "Wait! What's he doing?"

The cruiser had started for the asteroid. Suddenly jets flamed from every
quarter of the ship. He was using all steering jets at once! Rip watched,
bewildered, as the great ship spun slowly, advanced, then settled to a
stop just at the horizon.

"He can't be launching boats already," he said worriedly. "What's he up
to?"

They ran forward a short distance until they could see below the cave's
horizon level. The cruiser released exhausts from both sides of the ship,
the outer ones the slightest bit stronger. Rip exclaimed, "Great Cosmos,
he's cuddling right up to the asteroid! Wh