r he
warned the _Scorpius_ or not, his end was the same.

Back in the cave, he leaned against the wall and asked tiredly, "How is
Dominico?"

"I am fine, sir. My wound stopped bleeding."

"How is the Connie I got?"

"Unconscious, sir," Santos replied. "He must be bleeding badly, but we
can't tell. The one you landed on is all right now, but he may have a
broken rib or two."

Because his voice was weak, Rip had to turn up the volume on his
communicator to tell the Planeteers about the _Scorpius_. They were silent
when he finished, then Dowst spoke up.

"Looks like they have us, sir. But we'll take plenty of them with us
before we're finished."

"That's the spirit," Rip approved. He told them, "I won't last much
longer. When I get too weak, Koa will take over. Meanwhile, I want to get
outside. Bring the rocket launcher outside, too. Who's the gunner? Santos?
Stand by, then. We'll need you in case the Connie decides to send a few
snappers before it goes after the _Scorpius_."

The cruiser's glow was plain above the horizon, now. It was so close they
could make out its form against the background of stars. O'Brine was
decelerating and Rip was certain he was watching his screens for a sign of
the enemy. He would see nothing, because the enemy was in the shadow of
the asteroid. He would think the coast was clear, and come to a stop near
by while he asked why Rip had called for help. Failing to get a reply,
since the landing boat was wrecked, he would send a landing party, and the
Connie would attack while he was launching boats, off guard.

Rip watched the prediction come true. The nuclear cruiser slowed
gradually, its great bulk nearing the asteroid. O'Brine was operating as
expected.

Rip was having trouble keeping his vision from blurring. He leaned against
the rocket launcher and his glove caressed one of the sharp noses in the
rack.

He heard his own voice before the idea had even taken full form. "Santos!
Do you hear me? Santos! Get the _Scorpius_! Fire before it comes to a
stop. And don't miss!"

Santos started to protest, but Koa bellowed, "Do it. The lieutenant's
right. It's the only chance we've got to warn the ship. Get that scorpion,
Santos. Dead amidships!"

The Filipino corporal swung into action. His space gloves flew as he
cranked the launcher around, turned on the illuminated sight and bent low
over it. Rip stood behind the corporal. He saw the cruiser's shape stand
out in the glow of the si