"No, sir. It was the pilot. Quent Miles. There was no mention of Cadet Manning, sir."

Walters shook his head. "Certainly is strange," he mused aloud. Then he barked, in his usual brusque manner, "Well, we've got this problem here to worry about now. All mining operations have stopped, I suppose?"

"Yes, sir. The men won't work unless they have a guarantee that their wives and children are safe."

"Can't blame them," said Walters, surveying the quiet s.p.a.ceport.

The two Solar Guard officers climbed into another waiting jet boat and shot away from the _Polaris_ toward the tower.

Inside the shimmering crystal control tower, Steve Strong paced up and down behind the enlisted s.p.a.ceman trying to contact the Deimos s.p.a.ceport across the millions of miles of s.p.a.ce.

"This is t.i.tan s.p.a.ceport calling Deimos s.p.a.ceport! Come in, Deimos s.p.a.ceport."

There was a flood of static, and then, very faintly, the voice of the tower operator on Deimos answered. "This is Deimos s.p.a.ceport. Go ahead, t.i.tan."

"Transmitting request for information by Captain Steve Strong of the Solar Guard," the t.i.tan operator called into the microphone.

"Information concerning explosion of rocket ship _s.p.a.ce Lance_. Please give details on survivors."

There was a momentary pause and the loud-speaker crackled with static.

The voice of the Deimos operator broke through. "Captain Stic.o.o.n dead.

Cadet Corbett believed trapped in air-lock chamber. They have just cut through the chamber. It will be a few minutes before I can give you any further information."

"Very well, Deimos. I will hold this channel open."

Walters and Howard entered the room. "Any word, Strong?" asked the commander. Strong shook his head.

The loud-speaker over the control panel crackled into life again.

"Ganymede station to t.i.tan s.p.a.ceport! Come in, t.i.tan!"

The three Solar Guard officers looked at each other in surprise as the t.i.tan operator acknowledged the call. "This is t.i.tan. Go ahead, Ganymede."

"We have just received word that the rocket ship _s.p.a.ce Knight_ is within five minutes of a touchdown this s.p.a.ceport. Will probably blast off again immediately after refueling. Acknowledge, t.i.tan!"

"I read you, Ganymede!" replied the t.i.tan operator.

"What is your estimated time of arrival at t.i.tan?"

The Ganymede operator was silent a moment, then announced a time that made Strong and Walters blink in amazement. "It is based on his speed from Earth to this point, t.i.tan."

"Very well, Ganymede. End transmission," said the t.i.tan man, closing his key.

Captain Howard stared at Strong and Walters in amazement. "I can't believe it." Strong shook his head. "It's fantastic!"

"I know it is, gentlemen," said a voice in back of them. "But nevertheless the Ganymede station confirms it."

Strong, Walters, and Howard spun around to look into the smiling face of Charley Brett.

Before anyone could say anything, the voice of the Deimos operator broke the stunned silence. "Deimos to t.i.tan, I have your information now. Are you ready, t.i.tan?"

"Go ahead, Deimos," said the t.i.tan man.

And then, as Strong held his breath, the metallic voice from the loud-speaker reported on the final result of the tragic explosion over Deimos.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

CHAPTER 10

" ... Chamber was cut open and Cadet Corbett was rushed to the s.p.a.ceport's sick bay...."

As the metallic voice of the Deimos tower operator continued his report of the tragic crash of the _s.p.a.ce Lance_, Strong and Walters sighed with relief. At least Tom was not dead!

"He is still in a state of shock, but after a preliminary examination, the medical officer reports that he will recover. That is all the information I have at this time, t.i.tan. End transmission." The loud-speaker was silent except for the continuous flow of static.

"By the stars," breathed Strong, "I'm sure glad to hear that."

Walters put his arm around the captain's shoulder. "I'm glad too, Steve.

I know how you feel about those three boys."

"And that Astro," said Strong, beaming. "Wouldn't you know he'd be the one to rescue Tom." He paused and then continued thoughtfully, "You know, sir, with the exception of Manning, I'd be willing to recommend Solar Guard commissions for the unit right now."

Walters snorted. "Manning! By the stars, he could be the best astrogator in the universe, but--but he's so undisciplined."

"Excuse me, sir," the enlisted s.p.a.ceman interrupted. "Here is a transcript of the report from Deimos if you care to have it."

"Thank you," said Walters, putting it into his pocket. "Well, Steve, I guess we'd better start to work here." He turned to the t.i.tan senior officer who had been waiting respectfully.

"Ready, Captain Howard?"

"Yes, sir."

"Lead on, then," said Walters.

As the three officers turned to leave the control tower, they noticed Charley Brett sitting near the door. In the excitement of the news of Tom's narrow escape, they had forgotten the company owner was there.

Strong stopped and looked at him coldly. "What are you doing on t.i.tan, Brett?"

"Came on ahead to welcome the winner," Brett replied easily, not even bothering to stand.

"Pretty confident your man will win, eh?"

"Most a.s.suredly," said Brett with elaborate sarcasm. "I would never have entered a ship in the race if I didn't think I would win. Though, in all fairness, I think I should have received the contract to haul the crystal without this extra effort."

"What kind of reactant is Quent Miles using in that ship of yours?"

asked Walters sharply.