"They could still do a lot of damage if they hit that ship," a.s.serted Tom.
"And how do you expect to aim them?" demanded Connel. "There"s not enough juice in the batteries to steer them!"
"We"ll just fire them straight ahead, sir," broke in Roger. "Look!" he continued, pointing to the scanner screen. "Devers" ship is just circling us now. And he"s on the same plane of the ecliptic. If he holds that course--"
"He"ll cross our bow!" exclaimed Astro excitedly. "A perfect shot!"
"Ridiculous!" shouted Connel. "Preposterous! It"ll never work in a million light years! He"ll fire another torpedo and we"ll be blasted into s.p.a.ce dust!"
"But we can try it, can"t we, sir?" asked Tom, grinning.
"Of course we can!" roared Connel. "I"ve never given up a battle yet and, by the stars, I"m not going to now!"
Forgetting rank and protocol, the three cadets danced around the major, slapping him on the back and howling their enthusiasm. Connel could not restrain a momentary grin and then his features a.s.sumed his usual bulldog look.
"Knock it off!" he shouted. "We"ve got work to do. Manning!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Keep your eyes nailed to that scanner!" Connel bellowed. "Sing out if Devers changes course by so much as a hair!"
"Aye, aye, sir!"
"Astro!"
"Sir?"
"Put s.p.a.ce suits on Professor Hemmingwell and Barret and stand by with them on the control deck."
"Aye, aye, sir!"
"Corbett, you and I will check the projectiles. Make sure they"re in firing order!"
Spinning on his heel, Connel left the radar bridge. Alone for just an instant, the three cadets of the _Polaris_ unit clasped hands in silent determination and then plunged into their various a.s.signments.
Five minutes later, Connel and Tom returned to the control deck to find Astro waiting for them. Professor Hemmingwell and Barret, both in s.p.a.ce suits, were seated on acceleration couches. As Connel walked up to him, Hemmingwell raised his head slowly, still under the effects of the sedative.
"What"s--what"s happening, Major?" he asked haltingly.
"Professor," said Connel, "one of two things is going to happen. Either your ship will be blown to s.p.a.ce dust or Carter Devers will be finished and we"ll bring your ship back to Earth!"
"Good, good," murmured Hemmingwell.
"And as for you, Barret"--Connel turned toward the man angrily--"now you can see what kind of thanks you get for your dirty work! Your boss is just as willing to get rid of you as he is to destroy this project!"
Barret flushed under Connel"s glare and turned away.
At the control panel, Tom opened the circuits to the five loaded firing chambers and then turned to Connel. "All set to fire, sir!" he called.
"Any word from Manning?" asked Connel.
"Not while I"ve been here," replied Astro.
Connel picked up the intercom microphone. "h.e.l.lo, Manning!" he shouted.
"What"s the story?"
"Coming up to the last chapter," replied Roger over the intercom.
"Devers is holding course. Should cross our bow in two minutes!"
"Good," replied Connel. "Keep us posted!"
Replacing the microphone, he turned to Tom. "Stupid fool!" he snorted.
"He should"ve fired another torpedo and wiped us out. What"s the matter with him?" Connel abhorred stupidity, even in an adversary.
"Maybe he thinks we"ve already had it," suggested Astro. "With our stern blasted away, he might figure all the air"s gone out of the ship."
"Let"s hope he keeps on figuring that way," said Connel. "Everything ready to fire, Corbett?"
"All set, sir," the young cadet replied. "I"ve hooked up all circuits to this b.u.t.ton." He pointed to a b.u.t.ton on the control panel. "We"ll blast in salvo."
"Oh, we will, will we?" exclaimed Connel.
"If you think it"s advisable," Tom amended hurriedly.
"Of course it"s advisable!" snorted Connel. "We"re almost aiming blind as it is. A salvo will give us a bigger spread. Besides," he added, "with a whole barrel of luck, we might hit him with two of the projectiles. That would really do some damage."
"I"d like just a little potful of luck," murmured Astro, "and be able to land one."
"Heads up, down there!" Roger"s voice suddenly sang out on the intercom.
"Devers crossing our bow yet?" asked Tom.
"He"s still holding course," said Roger. "But he"s training his number one starboard tube this way. He"s going to blast us again!"
"How long do we have to wait for that bow shot?" demanded Connel.
"Another forty-five seconds at least!" came Roger"s reply.
"Blast it!" muttered Connel. "Plenty of time for him to fire."
Barret suddenly rose from his acceleration couch, screaming, "You can"t keep me here! Let me go!"
Astro grabbed him quickly and threw him back down. "Stay put," he growled.
"No," cried Barret, frantic with fear. "It"s murder! Let me go!"
"Relax and enjoy it, Barret," snorted Connel. "It"s your boss who"s doing it!"