g to go into
action. Many had comrades in the Solar Guard ships lost in the space
fight and they were eager to avenge their friends.

"How many ships did we lose, sir?" asked Tom, after the squadron
commanders had made their reports to Captain Strong.

"Forty," said Strong grimly. "But the entire Nationalist fleet was wiped
out. Thank the universe that their radar was knocked out, or we would
have been completely wiped out."

"Thank Astro and Major Connel for that, sir," said Tom with the first
smile on his face in days. "I knew none of those green jokers could stop
those two!"

"I've got to report to Commander Walters and the Solar Alliance, Tom.
You take a squad of men and move out. Your job is to find Astro, Roger,
and Major Connel."

"Thank you, sir!" said Tom happily.

* * * * *

Down in the canyon, Major Connel had waited as long as he dared for
Astro to return with news of Roger. From his position, the tough
spaceman could not tell how the gigantic space battle had ended until he
saw the Solar Guard troop carriers land on the rim of the canyon above.
Satisfied, he decided that it was time to move.

[Illustration: _The Solar Guard troops landed on the rim of the canyon_]

He stood up, careful not to expose himself, since fighting had broken
out among the workers. Every street, shop, and corner would bring
dangers, and having stayed alive this far, Connel wanted to reach the
Solar Guard forces and continue the fight alongside his friends. Astro
was nowhere in sight when the major moved cautiously down a side
alley, and he was beginning to think that Astro had not escaped from the
base with Roger, when he saw the big cadet suddenly appear around a
corner running as hard as he could. A few seconds later three green-clad
Nationalist guards rounded the corner and pounded after him.

Astro saw Connel and ducked behind an overturned jet car, yelling, "I'm
unarmed! Nail them, Major!"

In a flash Connel dropped to the pavement, and firing from a kneeling
position, cut the Nationalists down expertly. When the last of the enemy
was frozen, Connel rushed to Astro's side.

"What about Roger?" he asked.

"I couldn't reach him," replied Astro. "The sick bay's in the main
administration building and that's so well guarded it would take a full
company to break in."

Connel nodded grimly. "Well, the best thing for us to do is get more men
and then tackle it."

"Yes, sir," said Astr