The Space Pioneers | Page 5

Hardy raised his hand in mock protest. "Please! No brain
trusts!"
"Well, they have the brains all right." Walters laughed. "But they have
something else, an instinctive ability to do the right thing at the right
time and that indefinable something that makes them true men of space,
rather than ordinary ground hogs simply transplanted into space."

As the commander spoke, the massive door to his office rolled back
and Tom, Roger, and Astro stepped in briskly, coming to stiff attention
in front of the desk.
"Polaris unit reporting for duty, sir," said Tom. "Cadets Corbett,
Manning, and Astro."
"At ease," said Walters.
The three boys relaxed and glanced quickly at the governor who had
watched their entrance with interest. Walters came around in front of
the desk and gestured toward Hardy.
"Boys, I want you to meet Governor Hardy."
The three cadets nodded respectfully. They knew all about the
governor's achievements in establishing the first colony on Ganymede,
and his success with the first exploratory expedition to outer space.
"Sit down, boys," said Walters, indicating a near-by couch. "Governor
Hardy will explain things from here on in. Where is Captain Strong?"
"He said he'd be along in a few moments, sir," replied Roger.
"Well," said Walters, turning to Hardy, "no sense in beginning without
Steve. Only have to repeat yourself." He turned to Astro but not before
he saw a grimace of annoyance cloud the governor's face. "How are
you making out with your classroom studies, Astro?"
"Uh--ah--" stammered the giant Venusian, "I'm doing all right, sir," he
managed finally.
Walters suppressed a smile and turned to Hardy.
"One of the most important aspects of our training methods here at the
Academy, Governor," began Walters, returning to his desk, "is for the
cadet to learn to depend on his unit mates. Take Astro, for instance."
The two men glanced at the big cadet who shuffled his feet in

embarrassment at being the center of attention.
"Astro," continued Walters, "is rather shaky in the field of theory and
abstract-scientific concepts. Yet he is capable of handling practically
any situation on the power deck of a spaceship. He literally thinks with
his hands."
"Most commendable," commented Hardy dryly. "But I should think it
would be difficult if he ever came face to face with a situation where
his hands were bound." There was the lightest touch of sarcasm in his
voice.
"I assure you, Governor," said Walters, "that wouldn't stop him either.
But my point is this: Since a cadet unit is assembled only after careful
study of their individual psychograph personality charts and is passed
and failed as a unit, even though a boy like Cadet Astro might make a
failing grade, his unit mates, Cadets Manning and Corbett, can pull him
through by making higher passing marks. You see, an average is taken
for all three and they pass or fail as a unit."
"Then they are forced, more or less, to depend on each other?" asked
Hardy.
"Yes. In the beginning of their training. Later on, the cadets learn for
themselves that it is better for all of them to work together."
Once again the bell in back of Walters' desk chimed and he turned to
speak on the teleceiver to his aide.
"Captain Strong is here, sir," repeated the enlisted man.
"Send him right in," said Walters. Seconds later the door slid back and
Steve Strong entered and saluted.
After the introductions were completed and the Solar Guard captain
had taken a seat with his cadet unit, Commander Walters immediately
launched into the purpose of the meeting.

"Steve," he began, "Governor Hardy here has been appointed by the
Solar Council to head one of the most important projects yet attempted
by the Alliance."
The cadets edged to the front of the couch and listened intently for what
the commander was about to say.
"But perhaps I had better let the governor tell you about it himself,"
concluded Walters abruptly and settled back in his chair.
Captain Strong and the cadets swung around to face the governor, who
rose and looked at each of them steadily before speaking.
"Commander Walters stressed the fact that this was an important
project," he said finally. "No one can say how important it will be for
the future. It might mean the beginning of an entirely new era in the
development of mankind." He paused again. "The Solar Alliance has
decided to establish a new colony," he announced. "The first colony of
its kind outside the solar system in deep space!"
"A star colony!" gasped Strong.
The cadets muttered excitedly among themselves.
"The decision," continued the governor, "has been made only after
much debate in the Solar Council Chamber. There have been many
arguments pro and con. A week ago a secret vote was taken,