e universal band. "This is Federation _SCN
Sagittarius_, calling the Consolidation cruiser near the asteroid. Please
reply."

Rip waited anxiously. The Connie would hear, because every control room
monitored the universal band.

A heavy, reluctant voice replied after a pause of over a minute.

"This is Consolidation cruiser Sixteen. You are breaking the law,
_Sagittarius_. Your missile ports are open and they are pointing at me.
Close them at once or I will report this."

The suave voice with its hint of French accent replied, "Ah, my friend! Do
not be alarmed. We have had a slight accident to our control circuit and
the ports are jammed open. We are trying to repair the situation. But I
assure you, we have only the friendliest of intentions."

Rip grinned. This was about the same as a man holding a cocked pistol at
another man's head and assuring him it was nothing but a nervous arm that
kept the gun so steady.

The Connie demanded, "What do you want?"

The two friendly cruisers were within a few miles of the Connie now and
their blasts were just strong enough to keep them edging closer, while
counteracting the sun's pull.

The French spaceman spoke reassuringly. "My friend, we want only the
courtesy of space to which the law entitles us. We have had an unfortunate
accident to our astrogation instruments, and we wish to come aboard to
compare them with yours."

Rip laughed outright. Every cruiser carried at least four full sets of
instruments. There was as much chance of all of them being knocked off
scale at once as there was of his biting a cruiser in half with bare
teeth.

MacFife's voice came on the air. "Foster. Switch to Federation frequency."

Rip did so. "This is Foster, Commander."

"Lad, it's a pity for ye to miss the show. I'm sending a boat for ye."

"The sun will get it!" Rip exclaimed.

"Never fear, lad. It won't get this one. Now switch back to universal and
listen in."

Rip did so in time to catch the Connie commander's voice. "... and I
refuse to believe such a story! Great Cosmos, do you think I am a fool?"

"Of course not," the Frenchman replied. "You are not such a fool as to
refuse a simple request to check our instruments."

The _Sagittarius_ commander was right. Rip understood the strategy.
Equipment sometimes did go out of operation in space, and Connies had no
hesitation in asking Federation cruisers for help, or the other way
around. Such help was always given, because no