from the owners and
flown to refitting docks at Space Academy and Atom City where work was
begun converting it to a special use. Every ship was to be cannibalized
on Roald, its hull taken apart to provide housing and its power decks
converted into electropower plants. Now working with Mike McKenny, the
three Space Cadets were part of a large group of transfer crews engaged
in flying ships to Earth.

[Illustration: _The Solar Guard worked late into the night, examining
every ship in the Alliance_]

Returning from Mars, where they had picked up a giant jet liner, the
three cadets landed on the crowded Academy spaceport and turned
hopefully to Mike.

"You think we can get a twenty-four-hour pass, Mike?" asked Roger.

"Yeah," growled Astro. "Governor Hardy promised us a two-week leave, but
I guess he got swamped under details!"

Mike scratched his head. "I don't know, boys," he said. "I can't give it
to you, but I'll speak to Commander Walters for you. I know it's been a
pretty rough grind for all of you."

"Thanks, Mike," said Tom. "We'd appreciate it."

Later, when the three boys had signed over the giant ship to the
refitting crews, they headed for their dormitory for a refreshing
shower.

As Astro began to strip off his jacket, he suddenly asked, "Do you think
Captain Strong has returned from Pluto yet?"

"I doubt it," answered Roger. "I'm sure there would have been a message
for us on the chatter wire if he had." Roger referred to a tape recorder
that was standard equipment in each of the dormitory rooms, used
expressly for messages.

"You know something," said Tom. "I think we ought to go directly to
Commander Walters about Vidac."

"Commander Walters!" growled Astro. "Are you off your rocket?"

"Why shouldn't we?" agreed Roger.

"I'll tell you why!" said Astro. "Commander Walters probably is so busy
you couldn't get near him with a six-inch atomic blaster. And what are
we going to say after we get there? Just that Vidac has let some space
crawlers into the expedition?"

"That's enough, isn't it?" asked Roger.

"We can't let this slide, Astro," said Tom determinedly. "Somebody's got
to do something about Vidac, and if the governor won't, it should be
brought to Commander Walters' attention."

"Come on. Let's do it right now," urged Roger. "We'll be sticking our
necks out, but since when have we ever let that stop us?"

Astro shrugged his shoulders and quickly redressed. The three boys left
the d