edly. "We're having to pay for the
things we get by signing over a percentage of our future profit over the
next seven years."

The three cadets looked at each other in disbelief. The idea of two men
openly violating the laws of the expedition, treating the Solar
Alliance citizens as if they were prisoners, was overwhelming.

Tom got up and began to pace the deck. Finally he turned and faced
Logan. "Have you said anything to Vidac about this?" he asked.

"Ummmpf!" snorted Logan. "Every one of us signed a petition and had it
sent to the governor himself. We didn't even get a reply. Vidac must
have heard about it and told Winters and Bush to take it easy, because
the next day we were allowed to eat again without having to sign over
part of our profit to them. But everything else is the same."

"But how could they force you to pay?" asked Roger. "Couldn't you
refuse?"

"Sonny," declared Logan emphatically, "I'm brave as the next man. But
you don't argue against a paralo-ray gun, especially when there are
women and children to worry about."

Tom whirled around and faced Roger and Astro. "I guess we don't need any
more proof now," he said coldly. "Jeff Marshall is thrown into the brig
for looking into a logbook; we're relieved of our jobs here on the
_Polaris_; my monthly report to Captain Strong isn't sent to Space
Academy, and now this. One of two things is happening. Either Governor
Hardy is in on this with Vidac, or Vidac is taking over without Hardy
knowing anything about it."

"All right--all right," growled Astro, "but what are we going to do
about it?"

"We've got to get word to Space Academy or Captain Strong someway,
somehow. We've got to let them know what's going on."

"There's only one way to do that," said Roger. "But with the
communications controlled by Vidac's men, we don't have the chance of a
snowball on the sunny side of Mercury!"

"Then," announced Tom firmly, "we'll have to build our own
communications unit."

"But how?" asked Logan.

"Roger here can make a communicator out of spit and bailing wire," said
Astro. "All he needs is the essential parts."

"Look," said Tom tensely, "Jeff Marshall will be getting out of the brig
when we do. He'll be working with Professor Sykes, along with us. Why
can't we build one on the sly in the observatory?"

Roger thought a moment. "It's the only thing we can do. I just hope that
Mr. Logan's coming here hasn't aroused suspicion."

"Don't worry about