here's another factor," Captain Strong broke in. "You'll be giving up
your leave. There won't be any extra time off. Should this mission be
completed before the next term at the Academy begins, fine. But if not,
you'll have to return to work immediately."

"We understand that too, sir," said Tom. "We're willing to do anything
we can. And if I might offer a personal opinion"--he glanced at Astro
and Roger--"I think the _Polaris_ unit appreciates the seriousness of
the situation and we agree with the major. A small party, especially
ours, since we're already established as hunters, would be less suspect
than a larger one."

"I think we all agree that the _Polaris_ unit is qualified for the
mission, Corbett," said Walters, who saw through Tom's eagerness to be
assigned to go with the major.

The meeting broke up soon afterward. Connel remained with Strong and
Walters to work out the details of the mission and to draft a top-secret
report to the Grand Council of the Solar Alliance.

The three weary cadets were quartered in the finest hotel in Venusport
and had just stumbled into bed when the room teleceiver signal buzzed.
Tom shuffled over to the screen near the table where the remains of a
huge supper gave mute evidence of their hunger. Switching on the
machine, he saw Strong's face come into focus.

"I hope you boys aren't too comfortable," announced Strong. "I'm afraid
the sleep you're so hungry for will have to wait. This is an emergency!"

"Oh, no!" groaned Roger. "I can't understand why emergencies come up
every time I try to pound the pillow!"

Astro fell back onto his bed with the look of a martyred saint and
groaned.

"What is it, sir?" asked Tom, who was as tired as the others.
Nonetheless he felt the urgency in Strong's voice.

"You blast off in half an hour," said the Solar Guard captain. "The
_Polaris_ has been refitted and you're to check her over before
returning to Sinclair's. Everything has been prepared for you. Get
dressed and you'll find a jet cab waiting for you in front of the hotel.
I had hoped to see you again before you left, but I've been ordered
back to the Academy with Commander Walters. We've got to report to the
Solar Council, personally."

"O.K., sir," said Tom, then smiled and added, "We're sorry your fishing
was interrupted."

"I wasn't catching anything, anyway." Strong laughed. "I've got to go.
See you back at the Academy. Spaceman's luck!"

"Same to you, sir," replied Tom.