Sabotage in Space

  CHAPTER 16

  "_Bump-ty--bump-ty--bump-ty--_"

  Tom Corbett's heart beat with such rapid, heavy drumming that the youngcadet felt as though it was going to tear itself right out of his chest.

  For nearly six hours Tom had lain in wait in Galaxy Hall, the museum ofSpace Academy, on the second floor of the Tower building. He was hidingin the tail section of the _Space Queen_, the first rocket ship tobreach space safely, blasting from Earth to Luna and back again. He hadkept watch through a crack in the hull of the old ship, waiting for thelights to go out, a signal that the Academy had bedded down for thenight.

  Now, in the silence of the museum, surrounded by the ancient objectsthat traced man's progress to the stars, Tom felt like crying. For aslong as he had been at the Academy, he had revered these crude, frailobjects and wondered if he would ever match the bravery of the men whoused them. Now, unless his plan was successful, he would be finished asa cadet and the dream of being an officer in the Solar Guard wouldvanish forever.

  The Tower building had been quiet for over an hour. Tom had not heardany voices or movement other than the evenly paced steps of the guardspatrolling their lonely beats outside.

  He slipped out of the antiquated ship, and staying well in the shadows,moved out into the corridor to the head of the slidestairs. He peeredover the railing to the main floor below and saw Warrant Officer MikeMcKenny through the open door of a small office, seated at his desk,watching an evening stereo program. The young cadet jumped on the stairsquickly and rode the moving belt of plastic to the upper floors wherethe officers' quarters were located.

  Tom was in great danger of discovery. No civilian was allowed on Academygrounds after taps. And he was still wearing the civilian clothes he hadtaken from the suitcase on the passenger ship from Mars. Silently butswiftly, he made his way from level to level toward the seventy-fifthfloor.

  He knew that there would be a guard stationed in the halls outside theofficers' apartments and it would be impossible to elude him. He wouldsimply have to brazen it out.

  At the seventy-fifth floor the young cadet stepped off the slidestairsnoisily, his heels clicking on the dark crystal floor, and strode downthe hall. He was immediately seen by the guard who advanced to meet him,his ray gun at the ready. Tom was prepared.

  "Guard!" he yelled.

  The guard stopped in front of him, a puzzled look on his face. "Yes?" hereplied.

  "Sir!" snapped Tom. "Show me where Captain Strong's quarters are and bequick about it!"

  "But who are--?" The guard started to protest, but Tom did not give himthe chance to finish.

  "Don't stand there like an idiot, man! _Move!_"

  "Uhh--yes, sir," stammered the guard, obviously taken aback.

  "Lead the way," continued Tom loudly. "I haven't much time."

  "Yes, sir, but would you mind lowering your voice, sir? Some of theofficers are asleep, sir."

  "Well, get on then and stop jabbering!"

  The guard turned quickly and started down the hall. Tom followed,hardly able to keep from smiling at the man's frustration and confusion.

  They stopped at the door to Captain Strong's quarters and the guardrapped softly.

  "Yes?" came a muffled voice from inside.

  "Someone to see you, sir," called the guard.

  "Just a moment."

  The guard stepped to one side and stood at rigid attention. When thedoor opened and Captain Strong was revealed, Tom brushed past the guardand stepped into the room, talking quickly.

  "My name is Hinkleworth, Captain," he announced. "I am here at therequest of Commissioner Jessup to discuss the installation of new radarequipment on all Solar Guard rocket cruisers!"

  Tom slammed the door closed behind him and turned to face the astonishedSolar Guard officer.

  "What in the star-blazing--?" Strong began angrily.

  "It's me, Captain Strong!" Tom said quickly, pulling his hat off andlowering his collar.

  "Corbett!" gasped Strong, taking an involuntary step back, his facemirroring his disbelief.

  "Sh!" whispered the boy, motioning to the door. Recovering hiscomposure, Strong swept past him, opened the door, and found the guardstill standing there at attention.

  "All right, Corporal," said Strong. "Resume your station."

  "Yes, sir," replied the guard and walked down the hall. Strong watchedhim for a moment, then turned back into his room, closing and lockingthe door behind him. He faced the young cadet, who grinned back at himweakly.

  "All right, spaceboy," said Strong, flopping in the nearest chair."Start at the beginning and give it to me. _All of it!_"

  Tom began his story with the incident of the runaway truck at Marsport,told of his abduction and escape from the two truckers, Cag and Monty,his efforts to reach Space Academy, and finally revealed the identity ofthe man he thought was responsible for the whole effort to stop theprojectile operation.

  At this, Strong jumped to his feet. "That's the most fantastic thingI've ever heard, Corbett!" he snapped. "What kind of proof do you have?"

  "None, sir," replied Tom. "The only reason I came here tonight is to askyou to help me get that proof."

  When Strong was silent, shaking his head, Tom tried again.

  "Sir, you do believe me, don't you?" asked the boy with a sinkingfeeling in his heart. "What about all the things that have happened tome and to Roger and Astro?"

  "I can explain them away just as easily as you can explain your theory,"replied Strong. He walked over and patted the cadet on the shouldersympathetically. "I'm sorry, Tom," he said gently. "Your story is justtoo fantastic and you haven't even the slightest shred of evidence. Justa few words an unreliable witness said under duress."

  "I realize that, sir," replied the cadet. "But don't you see? This isthe only way to clear my name."

  Strong turned to the window, looked out thoughtfully for a moment, andthen turned back to the boy. "How do you think I can help you?" he said,a more sympathetic note in his voice.

  His eyes bright with hope again, Tom spoke quickly and eagerly. TheSolar Guard captain calmly packed his pipe and lighted it, stopping theboy now and then to ask a question. Finally, when Tom was finished,Strong nodded and silently puffed at his pipe.

  "Well, sir?" asked Tom eagerly.

  "I don't know, Tom," replied Strong. "It's a pretty wild idea. And itleaves me way out on a limb."

  "Only if we fail, sir," said Tom.

  "Which is more than likely," Strong commented dryly.

  "Captain Strong," said Tom, "if you really don't think it can work, thenI suggest that you call the guard and turn me in. I've put you in enoughtrouble already." Tom moved to the door.

  "Stop playing the hero, Corbett," said Strong. "I didn't say I wouldn'thelp you. But we have to think this thing out."

  Tom sat down, eying Strong hopefully.

  "Now, let me get this straight," said Strong. "First you want me to helpAstro and Roger escape from the work gang. All right, that may workeasily enough. But why?"

  "So we can get aboard the projectile ship and go through her tests withher."

  "I suppose you've heard that Connel, Professor Hemmingwell, and DaveBarret are going to take her up."

  "Yes, sir," Tom replied, grinning. "That's why I want to go along. Tomake sure no more accidents happen."

  "I could send a squad of Space Marines for that kind of job," musedStrong.

  "But that would alert Barret," protested Tom. "He might not tryanything. If he doesn't suspect he's being watched, we may be able tocatch him in the act. And he certainly wouldn't think the three of usare aboard."

  "Hum. Maybe you're right," nodded Strong. "Then after I get you three onthe ship, I'm supposed to spend my time trailing your prize suspect,right?"

  "Yes, sir," nodded the young cadet.

  "I'll have to give it consideration, Tom," said Strong after a momentarypause. "As much as I admire your plan and as much as I want to help you,this places me in a highly untenable position. Have you sto
pped to thinkwhat would happen to me if it were ever known that I had sheltered youhere in my quarters and aided in the escape of two convicted cadets fromthe work gang?"

  "Yes, sir," replied Tom soberly. "And--all I can say is I'll do whateveryou think is best."

  "Well, get some sleep now," sighed Strong. "I've got to make a tour ofthe guard."

  Without another word, Tom went into Captain Strong's bedroom and fellasleep thirty seconds after his head hit the pillow. His last wakingthought was that if his plan had any merit Captain Strong would helphim.

  Steve Strong did not leave his quarters immediately. He sat in the easychair and puffed thoughtfully on his pipe until there was nothing leftin the burnt and charred bowl. Then he rose and left the room to makehis rounds. He walked slowly through the hollow, empty hallways of theTower building, riding up and down the slidestairs, speaking curtly tothe guards, and finally walked out on the wide steps facing the grassyquadrangle.

  Strong glanced up at the sky. He counted the stars he could see and heremembered that as a boy of eight he knew the names and positions ofevery one. He recalled his entrance to the Academy as a cadet and howhis unit instructor had guided him and taught him the many things aspaceman must know. He thought of his long tour as a line officer in theSolar Guard fleet under Commander Walters, then a major, and heremembered his brother officers, many of whom were now dead. There wasone thing they all had in common, one thing that overshadowed allpersonal differences. One thing that was almost like a religion.Comradeship. A feeling of belonging, a knowledge that there was _always_someone who would believe in you and your ideas.

  One thing. Friendship.

  Captain Strong spun on his heel, walked back into the Tower, and rodethe slidestairs back to his quarters. He had made up his mind.