Roger saw Tom heading for the tunnel and made a sudden dash for
Sinclair. But the rebel leader heard the pounding of footsteps and
turned to fire at Roger as the cadet sailed through the air in a flying
tackle. The jolting ray hit him squarely and he landed on the ground
with a thud a few feet from Sinclair, completely immobilized again.

Tom tried to seize the momentary advantage, but once again Sinclair was
quicker and forced Tom back into the small opening of the tunnel.

Around them, the slave workers were being whipped into a frenzy after
months of stored-up hatred for their guards. Hundreds of them were
climbing up toward the guards' posts, unmindful of the deadly fire
pouring down on them.

"Get in there quick!" demanded Sinclair. He shoved Tom through the small
opening, and after a quick glance over his shoulder at the surging
slaves, followed the cadet.

Sinclair flashed a light ahead of them and Tom saw the reflection of a
bright surface. In the distance he recognized the outlines of a
spaceship.

"Keep moving!" ordered Sinclair. "You're my protection in getting out of
here, and if I have to freeze you and carry you aboard, that's just what
I'll do! Now get moving!"

Tom walked to the air lock of the ship, Sinclair right in back of him.
The rebel leader pressed an outside button in the ship's stabilizer fin
and the port swung open slowly. "Get in!" growled Sinclair.

Tom stepped into the ship and waited. Sinclair climbed in in back of him
and closed the air lock.

"Through that hatch," said Sinclair, motioning toward the iron ladder,
"and keep your hands in the air."

"How do you think you're going to get through the Solar Guard fleet
that's standing off above the canyon?" asked Tom casually. "As soon as
they see this ship blast off, you'll have a hundred atomic war heads
blasting after you!"

"Not as long as I have you!" sneered Sinclair. "You're my protection!"

"You're wrong," said Tom. "They'll open fire, anyway."

"That's the chance I've got to take," said Sinclair. "Now climb up to
the control deck and get on the audioceiver. You're going to tell them
you're aboard!"

Tom walked ahead of the rebel leader toward the control deck, his mind
racing. He knew that Sinclair was going through with his plan and he
also knew that the Solar Guard would not pay any attention to anything
he had to say. If, after three warnings, Sinclair didn't brake jets and
bring his ship to a stop, he would be bla