time was ripe.

Yet now that Hot Rod had proved its power, the time was ripe. It was
that proof on which the plan had waited. And perhaps this very
sabotage would prove to be the "incident" on which the plan hinged....

Even as he fought to clear his normally organized mind of the
weariness of his body that now sapped at its strength, the call came.

Chauvenseer appeared at his side, saluting smartly. "Com Officer
Clark, sir, reports a message from Earth. _The_ message, sir. 'Begin
Operation Ripe Peach.'"

Major Elbertson pulled himself to a military stance, returning his
aide's salute with complete precision.

Briefly he considered gathering all his men, all the Security
personnel, and storming the bridge.

No, obviously the enemy was organized--an unforeseen circumstance.
Obviously the captain was not alone. Obviously _his_ men included at
least some of these slipstick boys--and he would command the loyalty
of them all, since he was somewhat of their ilk himself.

No, an officer must seek the most advantageous position from which to
deliver his ultimatum.

He must use Hot Rod itself to control them. If Hot Rod itself were
actually sabotaged, then the plan must wait until he could have it
repaired. He doubted it was hurt.

The flare had thrown off all original sequences--but perhaps that was
to his advantage.

To Chauvenseer he snapped: "This is the detail of our immediate
operation. Get four of our best men besides yourself. Have each of
them come separately and unobtrusively to the south polar lock, where
I will meet them. I will bring Smith with me.

"Have each of the others take his assigned post for Operation Ripe
Peach--but order them to take no action other than to prevent anyone
on board from doing anything unusual that might be an enemy
operation--until I alert them that Operation Ripe Peach is
operational.

"Their orders will, of course, come on our personal radios, Security
Band 2Z21.

"Execute!" he ended, saluting smartly.

* * * * *

As the Security squad moved, with individual secrecy, towards their
various posts, Captain Andersen was considering that Elbertson would
probably snap out of it as soon as he had had coffee and a shave. The
man had probably been severely affected by the drugs he had been
given. He would make no further reference to the incident of erratic
behavior, unless it continued.

[Illustration]

Bessie, having at the moment nothing