be near by and it would be some time before an alarm
could be sounded.

"The caves?" asked the guard. "Who said so?"

"The chief. He wants you to identify somebody."

"Me? Identify someone? I don't understand." The guard was puzzled. "What
section of the caves?"

"The new section," said Astro quickly, figuring there must be a new and
an old section because he had heard a guard refer to the old one.

"Up by the jungle tunnels?"

Astro nodded.

"Must be more of those Solar Guardsmen," said the guard, relaxing. "We
have two of them in here, another in the hospital, and one of them
working in the machine shop."

Hospital! Astro gulped. That would be Roger. But he dared not ask too
many questions. "What's going to happen to them?" he asked casually.

"I don't know," said the guard, "but I wish we'd hurry up and attack
Venusport. I'm getting tired of living out here in the jungle."

"Me too," said Astro. "Well, you'd better get going."

The guard nodded and started to walk away. Suddenly Astro stiffened. Two
other guards were rounding the corner of the building. He called to the
departing guard quickly. "Who's on duty with you tonight?"

"Maron and Teril," replied the guard, and then strode off into the
darkness.

"So long," said Astro, turning to face the two men walking toward him.
He would have to get rid of them.

"Hello, Maron, Teril," he called casually. "Everything quiet?"

"Yes," replied the shorter of the two, as they stopped in front of
Astro, "no trouble tonight."

"Well, there's trouble now!" growled Astro. He brought up the blaster
and cocked it. "Make one wrong move, and you're dead little space birds!
Get over there and open that door!"

Stunned, both men turned to the door without a protest and Astro took
their guns. "Open up!" he growled.

The men slid the heavy bar back and pushed the door open.

"Get inside!" ordered Astro. The two men stumbled inside. Astro stepped
to the door. "Tom! Major!"

There was a cry of joy from the blackness within and Astro recognized
Tom.

"Astro!" roared Connel, rushing up. "What in the stars--?"

"Can't talk now," said Astro. "Here. Take these blasters and then tie
these two up. Close the door, but leave it open a crack. We can talk
while I stay outside and keep watch. If there isn't a guard out here, it
might mean trouble."

"Right," said Connel. He took the blasters, tossing one over to Tom.
"Blast it, I never felt anything so good in my life!"