le after we pass the sun, but
by then we'll be almost home."

It was just space luck that Terra was on the other side of the sun from
the asteroid's present position. By the time they approached, it would be
in a good place, just far enough from the line to the sun to avoid
changing course. Of course Rip's planned orbit was not aiming the asteroid
at earth, but at where earth would be at the end of the trip.

"That means more than three weeks of radiation, then," Corporal Santos
observed. "Can we take it, sir?"

Rip shrugged, but the gesture couldn't be seen inside his space suit. "At
the rate we're getting radiation now, plus what I estimate we'll get from
the nuclear explosions, we'll get the maximum safety limit in just three
weeks. That leaves us no margin, even if we risk getting radiation
sickness. So we have to get shielding pretty soon. If we do, we can last
the trip."

Private Dominico saluted, clumsy in his space suit. "Sir, I ask permission
to speak."

Rip hid a smile at the little Italian's formal manner. In space, formality
was forgotten. "What is it, Dominico?"

"Sir, I think we not worry so much about this radiation, eh? You will
think of some ways to take care of it, sir. What I want to ask, sir, is
when do we let go the bombs? Radiation I do not know much about, but I can
set those bombs like you want them."

Rip was touched by the Italian Planeteer's faith in his ability to solve
the radiation problem. That was why being an officer in the Special Order
Squadrons was so challenging. The men knew the kind of training their
officers had and they expected them to come up with technical solutions as
the situation required.

"You'll have a chance to set the bombs in just a short while," he said
crisply. "Let's get busy. Koa, load all bombs but one ten KT on the
landing boat. Stake the rest of the equipment down. While you're doing
that, I'll find the spots where we plant the charges. I'll need two men
now and more later."

He went back to his instrument, putting the radiation problem out of his
mind--a rather hard thing to do with the colorimeter glowing pink next to
his shoulder. Koa detailed men to load the nuclear bombs into the landing
craft, left Pederson to supervise, and then brought Santos with him to
help Rip.

"The bombs are being put on the boat, sir," Koa reported.

"Fine. There isn't too much chance of the blasts setting them off, but
we'll take no chances at all. Koa, I'm going to