ed as they tried to force
the other's hands back. Suddenly, with the speed of a cat, Coxine stuck
out his leg and kicked Astro's foot from the deck, tripping him. Astro
tumbled to the deck. In a flash, the pirate was on top of him, gripping
him by the throat. The Venusian grabbed at the hands that were slowly
choking the life out of him and pulled at the fingers, his face turning
slowly from the angry flush of a moment before to the dark-gray hue of
impending death!

Still bound and tied by the heavy rope, the two cadets on the deck were
helpless, as Astro's strength slipped from his body.

Tom turned to Roger desperately. "We've got to do something!"

"What? I can't get loose!" The blond-haired cadet struggled against the
ropes until the blood ran down his wrists, but it was a hopeless effort.

"Yell!" said Tom desperately. "Yell! Make a noise! Holler like you've
never hollered before!"

"Yell?" asked Roger stupidly.

"We've got to distract him!"

Tom began to bellow, and immediately was echoed by Roger. They shouted
and screamed. They kicked their feet on the deck and tore against their
bonds.

Astro's hands no longer fought the powerful fingers taking his life.
There was no strength in the cadet's hands now, but in the split second
that Coxine turned to look at Tom and Roger, he gave a mighty heave with
the last of his great strength and tore free of the pirate's grasp.

The Venusian jumped up and ran to the farthest corner of the control
deck, gasping for breath. Coxine rushed after him, but Astro eluded him
and stumbled to the opposite end of the control room, still trying to
suck the life-giving breath into his screaming lungs. Slowly his
strength returned.

Coxine made another headlong rush for the cadet, but this time Astro did
not attempt to get away. He stood squarely to meet the charge and his
right fist caught the pirate flush on the chin. Coxine staggered back,
eyes wide with surprise. In an instant Astro was on him, pounding his
mighty fists into the pirate's stomach and any place he could find an
opening. Roaring like a wild animal, the cadet no longer fought for the
honor of the Solar Guard or his friends. He didn't look upon the
criminal in front of him as Coxine the pirate, but as a man who had
nearly taken his life, and he fought with the ferocity of a man who
wanted to live.

Again and again, Tom and Roger saw their unit-mate pound straight,
powerful, jolting lefts and rights into the p