he band switch to the universal frequency with which all
long-range communicators were equipped. Each of the Earth groups had its
own frequency, and so did the Martians and Jovians. But all could meet
and talk on the universal band.

Special scrambling devices prevented eavesdropping on regular
frequencies, so there was no danger that the Connie had overheard the
plan. Rip wondered what it was. He knew the cruisers had to be careful
not to cross the thin line that might lead to war.

The _Sagittarius_ loomed closer, decelerating with a tremendous exhaust.
The Connie couldn't have failed to see it, Rip knew. He was right. The
Consops cruiser suddenly blasted more heavily, rushing in the direction
away from the Federation ship. The direction was toward the asteroid.

At the same moment, the _Aquila_ flashed above the horizon, also
decelerating. The Connie was caught squarely.

A suave voice spoke on the universal band. "This is Federation SCN
_Sagittarius_, calling the Consolidation cruiser near the asteroid.
Please reply."

Rip waited anxiously. The Connie would hear, because every control room
monitored the universal band.

A heavy, reluctant voice replied after a pause of over a minute.

"This is Consolidation cruiser Sixteen. You are breaking the law,
_Sagittarius_. Your missile ports are open, and they are pointing at me.
Close them at once, or I will report this."

The suave voice, with its hint of French accent, replied, "Ah, my friend!
Do not be alarmed. We have had a slight accident to our control circuit,
and the ports are jammed open. We are trying to repair the situation. But
I assure you that we have only the friendliest of intentions."

Rip grinned. This was about the same as a man holding a cocked pistol at
another man's head and assuring him that it was nothing but a nervous arm
that kept the gun so steady.

The Connie demanded, "What do you want?"

The two friendly cruisers were within a few miles of the Connie now, and
their blasts were just strong enough to keep them edging closer, while
still counteracting the sun's pull.

The French spaceman spoke reassuringly. "My friend, we want only
the courtesy of space to which the law entitles us. We have had an
unfortunate accident to our astrogation instruments, and we wish to
come aboard to compare them with yours."

Rip laughed outright. Every cruiser carried at least four sets of
instruments. There was as much chance of all of them being knoc