The Revolt on Venus | Page 4

turned to speak into the audio log
recorder. "Rocket cruiser Polaris completed space flight one-seven-six
at 1301."
Captain Strong stepped up to Tom and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Secure the Polaris, Tom, and tell Astro to get the reactant pile from
the firing chamber ready for dumping when the hot-soup wagon gets
here." The Solar Guard officer referred to the lead-lined jet sled that
removed the reactant piles from all ships that were to be laid up for
longer than three days. "And you'd better get over to your dorm right
away," Strong continued. "You have to get ready for parade and full
Corps dismissal."
Tom grinned. "Yes, sir!"
"We're blasting off, sir," said Tony Richards, stepping forward with his
unit mates. "Congratulations again, Corbett. I still can't figure out how
you did it so quickly!"
"Thanks, Tony," replied Tom graciously. "It was luck and the pressure
of good competition."
Richards shook hands and then turned to Strong. "Do I have your
permission to leave the ship, sir?" he asked.

"Permission granted," replied Strong. "And have a good leave."
"Thank you, sir."
The three Arcturus cadets saluted and left the ship. A moment later
Roger and Astro joined Strong and Tom on the control deck.
"Well," said Strong, "what nonsense have you three planned for your
leave? Try and see Liddy Tamal. I hear she's making a new stereo
about the Solar Guard. You might be hired as technical assistants." He
smiled. The famous actress was a favorite of the cadets. Strong waited.
"Well, is it a secret?"
"It was your idea, Astro," said Roger. "Go ahead."
"Yeah," said Tom. "You got us into this."
"Well, sir," mumbled Astro, turning red with embarrassment, "we're
going to Venus."
"What's so unusual about going to Venus?" asked Strong.
"We're going hunting," replied Astro.
"Hunting?"
"Yes, sir," gulped the big Venusian. "For tyrannosaurus."
Strong's jaw dropped and he sat down suddenly on the nearest
acceleration cushion. "I expected something a little strange from you
three whiz kids." He laughed. "It would be impossible for you to go
home and relax for a month. But this blasts me! Hunting for a
tyrannosaurus! What are you going to do with it after you catch it?" He
paused and then added, "If you do."
"Eat it," said Astro simply. "Tyrannosaurus steak is delicious!"
Strong doubled with laughter at the seriousness of Astro's expression.
The giant Venusian continued doggedly, "And besides, there's a bounty

on them. A thousand credits for every tyranno head brought in. They're
dangerous and destroy a lot of crops."
Strong straightened up. "All right, all right! Go ahead! Have yourselves
a good time, but don't take any unnecessary chances. I like my cadets to
have all the arms and legs and heads they're supposed to have." He
paused and glanced at his watch. "You'd better get hopping. Astro, did
you get the pile ready for the soup wagon?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Very well, Tom, secure the ship." He came to attention. "Unit,
stand--to!"
The three cadets stiffened and saluted sharply.
"Unit dismissed!"
Captain Strong turned and left the ship.
Hurriedly, Tom, Roger, and Astro checked the great spaceship and
fifteen minutes later were racing out of the main air lock. Hitching a
ride on a jet sled to the nearest slidewalk, they were soon being
whisked along toward their quarters. Already, cadet units were standing
around in fresh blues waiting for the call for final dress parade.
At exactly fifteen hundred, the entire Cadet Corps stepped off with
electronic precision for the final drill of the term. By threes, each unit
marching together, with the Polaris unit walking behind the standard
bearers as honor unit, they passed the reviewing stand. Senior officers
of the Solar Guard, delegates from the Solar Alliance, and staff officers
of the Academy accepted their salute. Commander Walters stood stiffly
in front of the stand, his heart filled with pride as he recognized the
honor unit. He had almost washed out the Polaris unit in the beginning
of their Academy training.
Major Lou Connel, Senior Line Officer of the Solar Guard, stepped
forward when the cadets came to a stop and presented Tom, Roger, and

Astro with the emblem of their achievement, a small gold pin in the
shape of a rocket ship. He, too, had had his difficulties with the Polaris
unit, and while he had never been heard to compliment anyone on
anything, expecting nothing but the best all the time, he nevertheless
congratulated them heartily as he gave them their hard-won trophy.
After several other awards had been presented, Commander Walters
addressed the Cadet Corps, concluding with "... each of you has had a
tough year. But when you come back in four weeks, you'll think this
past term has been a picnic. And remember, wherever you go, whatever