s from another bubble which was its
identical twin. It could reflect detector-pulses. In so doing it
impersonated a giant fighting ship.

Something like an hour after the squad ship rose from Sirene IV, a
detonator-cap exploded in the three-inch box. It tore the box to atoms
and initiated a wave of disintegration in the plastic of the bubble. The
helium bubble-content escaped and was lost. The plastic itself turned to
gas and disappeared.

The bubble had been capable of exactly two actions. It could reflect
detector-pulses. In doing so, it had impersonated a giant fighting ship,
member of an irresistible fleet. It could also destroy itself. In so
doing, it impersonated a giant fighting ship--one of a fleet--going into
overdrive.

In rapid succession, all the bubbles which were members of a
non-existent fighting fleet winked out of existence about Sirene IV.
There were a great many of them, and no trace of any remained.

The last was long gone when a small salvage ship descended to the Huk
home planet. A heavily accented voice talked it down.

The salvage ship landed amid evidences of cordiality. The Huks were
extremely co-operative. They even supplied materials for the repair job
on the _Cerberus_, including landing rockets to be used in case of need.
But they weren't needed for take-off. The _Cerberus_ had been landed at
a Huk spaceport, which obligingly lifted it out to space again when its
drive had been replaced.

* * * * *

And the squad ship sped through emptiness at a not easily believable
multiple of the speed of light. Sergeant Madden dozed, while Patrolman
Willis performed such actions as were necessary for the progress of the
ship. They were very few. But Patrolman Willis thought feverishly.

After a long time Sergeant Madden waked, and blinked, and looked
benignly at Patrolman Willis.

"You'll be back with your wife soon, Willis," he said encouragingly.

"Yes, sir." Then the patrolman said explosively: "Sergeant! There's
nothing coming from the Coalsack way! There's nothing for the Huks to
fight!"

"True, at the moment," admitted Sergeant Madden, "but something could
come. Not likely--But you see, Willis, the Huks have had armed forces
for a long time. They've glamour. They're not ready to cut down and have
only cops, like us humans. It wouldn't be reasonable to tell 'em the
truth--that there's no need for their fighting men. They'd make a need!
So they'll stand g