a smile, "we're going!"
The three cadets couldn't restrain themselves and burst out in a happy
shout. Then Roger calmed down enough to comment, "Sounds more
like another vacation than an assignment, sir."
"Hardly, Manning," replied Strong. "You see, every industry, society,
organization, and governmental agency is setting up exhibits at the
exposition to show the people what's taking place in their part of the
solar system. There'll also be an amusement section." Strong chuckled.
"I've seen pictures of some of the tricks and rides they've developed to
entertain the younger generation. Believe me, I'd rather take full
acceleration on a rocket ship than ride on any of them."
"But what will we do, sir?" asked Tom.
"Our job is very simple. We're to take the Polaris to the exposition and
land on the fairgrounds. When the fair opens, we show all the visitors
who are interested, everything about her."
"You mean we're going to be"--Roger swallowed--"guides?"
"That's right, Manning," said Strong. "You three will guide all visitors
through the Polaris."
"How long will we be there, sir?" asked Tom.
"A month or so, I guess. The Polaris will be the first Academy exhibit.
When you leave, another unit will replace you with their ship and do
the same thing."
"But--but--" stammered Astro, "what will we say to them? The visitors,
I mean?"
"Just answer all their questions, Astro. Also, make up a little speech
about the functions of your particular station."
Strong looked at his watch and rose to his feet. "It's getting late. Check
the Polaris over and stand by to raise ship in an hour."
"Yes, sir," said Tom.
The cadets came to attention, preparing to leave.
"One thing more! Don't get the idea that this is going to be a space
lark," said Strong. "It's very important for the people of the Solar
Alliance to know what kind of work we're doing here at the Academy.
And you three have been selected as representatives of the entire Cadet
Corps. So see that you conduct yourselves accordingly. All right,
dismissed!"
The three cadets saluted sharply and filed out of the room, their
skipper's final words ringing in their ears.
Fifteen minutes later, having packed the necessary gear for the
extended trip, the Polaris unit rode the slidewalk through the grassy
quadrangle and the cluster of Academy buildings, out toward the
spaceport. In the distance they could see the rocket cruiser Polaris,
poised on the launching ramp, her long silhouette outlined sharply
against the blue sky. Resting on her four stabilizer fins, her nose
pointed toward the stars, the ship looked like a giant projectile poised
and ready to blast its target.
"Look at her!" exclaimed Astro. "If she isn't the most beautiful ship in
the universe, I'll eat my hat."
"Don't see how you could," drawled Roger, "after the way you put
away Mrs. Corbett's pies!"
Tom laughed. "I'll tell you one thing, Roger," he said, pointing to the
ship, "I feel like that baby is as much my home as Mom's and Dad's
house back in New Chicago."
"All right, all right," said Roger. "Since we're all getting sloppy, I have
to admit that I'm glad to see that old thrust bucket too!"
Presently the three cadets were scrambling into the mighty spaceship,
and they went right to work, preparing for blast-off.
Quickly, with sure hands, each began a systematic check of his station.
On the power deck Astro, a former enlisted Solar Guardsman who had
been admitted to the Cadet Corps because of his engineering genius,
stripped to the waist and started working on the ship's massive atomic
engines. A heavy rocketman's belt of tools slung around his waist, he
crawled through the heart of the ship, adjusting a valve here, turning a
screw there, seeing that the reactant feeders were clean and clear to the
rocket firing chambers. And last of all he made sure the great rocket
firing chambers were secure and the heavy sheets of lead baffling in
place to protect him from deadly radioactivity.
On the radar bridge in the nose of the ship, Roger removed the delicate
astrogation prism from its housing and cleaned it with a soft cloth.
Replacing it carefully, he turned to the radar scanner, checking the
intricate wiring system and making sure that the range finders were in
good working order. He then turned his attention to the intercom.
"Radar bridge to control deck," he called. "Checking the intercom,
Tom."
Immediately below, on the control deck, Tom turned away from the
control panel. "All clear here, Roger. Check with Astro."
"All clear on the power deck!" The big Venusian's voice boomed over
the loud-speaker. The intercom could be heard all over the ship unless
the many speakers were turned off individually.
Tom turned his attention back to the great
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