d
began twisting them. "I'll call him, and you stand by to blast out of
here."

Nicholas Shinny sat on the power deck and listened to Loring issue
orders over the intercom.

"I don't know if Connel will go for it, or not," said Loring, "but just
in case he doesn't, we gotta get outta here fast! You got that, Shinny?"

"Yeah," answered Shinny, "I got it!"

"Mason," yelled Loring, "you take over on the radar bridge!"

"All ready up here," said Mason.

"Well, be sure we've got a clear trajectory out. Better take us into the
sun Alpha Centauri. That way, maybe they'll miss us on their radar. The
sun will show all sorts of blips on their screen."

"O.K.," said Mason. "You think he'll go for it?"

"I don't know," answered Loring, "but if he doesn't, it's going to be
space dust for Manning."

Shinny got up and walked around the deserted power deck. His legs felt
weak. The plan he had made was a desperate one. Over and over, he
checked the operation in his mind. It would have to be quick, sure, and
sudden. That was the only thing that would ensure success. "Yes, sir,"
he thought, "if we can surprise 'em, we can get away with it." He dug
out a piece of chewing tobacco, took a bite, eyed the remaining piece,
and then shoved the whole thing in his mouth. His cheek bulged.

He went to the intercom and flipped it on. "Hey, Loring," he yelled.
"I've got to check the timer on number-three rocket. She's not acting
just right. It'll take me about a minute."

"O.K.," came Loring's reply, "but make it snappy."

The timers were to the left of the control board, but Shinny turned to
the right and the ladder leading to the lower deck. He eased the hatch
open, glanced around, and then climbed down quickly. He stopped at a
locker, opened the doors quietly, and took out two paralo-ray guns and
two rifles. Then, closing the doors, he made his way to the opposite
side of the ship.

"Hey, Manning!" he whispered through the closed storeroom hatch. "Can ya
hear me?"

"Who is it?" asked Roger.

"Me--Shinny," hissed the wizened spaceman. He opened the hatch and Roger
quickly stepped out.

"What's the idea?" gasped Roger when Shinny shoved a rifle and pistol
into his hands.

"I ain't got time to explain now," said Shinny. "We've got to hurry if
we're going to take over this tub."

Roger's eyes glowed. "You mean--"

"Never mind what I mean," said Shinny. "Just listen. Loring's on the
control deck and Mason's on the radar brid