t before we fell!"

The four wormed their way out from under the wreckage. "That ship
should be primed to go!" Nicko said with excitement.

"That's what I'm hoping."

"No!" Doree cried, and pulled away from Mike. "No! I won't go away
from here and leave my father! We've got to try to help him!"

* * * * *

Mike did not hesitate. He swung a short solid right. It cracked
against Doree's jaw and she went limp. "Sorry," he said grimly, "but
this is no time to argue."

"We're going to hit that ship and blast out?" Nicko asked.

"What else? She'll hate me for it, but we've got to use common sense.
There's nothing we can do for Professor Brandon this trip. Maybe we
can come back later."

"It will be hard on the kitty."

"Okay," Mike retorted harshly. "My responsibility is getting Doree out
of here alive!"

"I'm not arguing," Nicko said. "Let's move."

The H'Lorkan had remained silent the whole time. He had done what was
expected of him promptly and efficiently and proven himself a good
comrade. But there was no time now to explain the plan to him. If he
had remained where he was they would probably have gone off and left
him. But when they started across the open country, he ran with them.

Mike momentarily expected the light from the glowing bulbs to pick
them out, but luck was with them and they gained the edge of the
airfield without being detected. They disappeared in among the craft.
There was quite an assortment of these and from the design and
variations in size, Mike got the impression they were pleasure craft
and not a part of the fighting force. Encrusted jewels were used in
profusion and decorations along with both silver and gold. On this
planet these precious materials seemed to have little value as no
guards were posted over the field.

* * * * *

There were lights in a few of them. These, Mike carefully skirted
until the party came at last to the sleek black hull of the ship McKee
and Talbott had arrived in.

No sight ever gladdened his heart more than that of the great,
competent-looking monster. The ramp was down and all was darkness
inside.

"Shall I go ahead and check?" Nicko asked.

"It wouldn't help. If anyone's in there they'd probably nab you."

"Maybe I don't nab as easily as you think," Nicko growled.

"Anyhow, there isn't time. I think that crew spotted us when we
entered the field. We've got to get in and away."