s." He smiled
easily. "Smooth, huh?"

"I think it's rotten," said Tom. "Astro left here feeling like a plugged
credit! And if he does fail, it'll be because you made him think he was
the dumbest guy in the universe!"

"He probably is," mused Roger, "but he still won't fail that manual."

From the hallway behind them, a loud blasting yell was suddenly heard,
echoing from somewhere on the lower floors. Tom and Roger waited, their
eyes wide and hopeful. There was only one person at Space Academy
capable of making such a noise.

"He made it!" Tom exclaimed.

"Of course he made it," said Roger casually.

Astro tore into 42-D with a mad rush.

"Yeeeoooooowwww!" He grabbed the two cadets and picked them up, one in
each hand. "I made it--hands down--I handled those rocket motors like
they were babes in arms! I told you that all I had to do was touch them
and I'd know! I told you!"

"Congratulations, Astro," said Tom with a wide grin. "I knew you'd do
it."

"Put me down, you oversized Venusian jerk," said Roger, almost
good-naturedly. Astro released the smaller cadet and faced him.

"Well, hot-shot, I promised you something when I got back, didn't I?"

"Make it later, will you, and I'll be glad to oblige." He walked toward
the door. "I've got to go down and collect a bet."

"What bet?" asked Astro.

"With Tony Richards."

"But I thought you were afraid to bet on me!"

"Not at all, Astro. I just wanted to make you mad enough to ensure my
winning."

"That sounds like you were more worried about your bet than you were
about Astro passing," snapped Tom.

"You're exactly right, spaceboy," purred Roger, standing in the doorway.

"That's our boy, Manning," growled Astro. "The great team man!"

"Team?" Roger took a step back into the room. "Don't make me laugh,
Astro. For your information, tomorrow morning I'm putting in for a
transfer to another unit!"

"What!" exclaimed Tom. "You can't trans--"

"Yes, I can," interrupted Roger. "Read your Academy regs. Anyone can
request a transfer once the unit has passed its manuals."

"And what excuse are you going to use," snapped Astro bitterly. "That
you can't take it?"

"A personality difference, Astro, my boy. You hate me and I hate you.
It's a good enough reason, I think."

"It's just as well, hot-shot," replied Astro. "Because if you don't
transfer, we will!"

Roger merely smiled, flipped his fingers to his forehead in an arrogant
gesture of farewell and tur