I
know Astro's going to pass. Some guys have to have a fire built under
them before they get moving. Astro's one of them."
"That doesn't answer my question," said Tom. "Why did you say the things
you did before a guy goes to take an exam?"
"I said what I did to make Tony Richards give me odds. _And_ to make
Astro mad enough to pass. We're a cinch to win and Richards' outfit
will be indebted to us for a year's worth of galley demerits." He smiled
easily. "Smooth, huh?"
"I think it's rotten," said Tom. "Astro left here feeling like a plugged
credit! And if he does fail, it'll be because you made him think he was
the dumbest guy in the universe!"
"He probably is," mused Roger, "but he still won't fail that manual."
From the hallway behind them, a loud blasting yell was suddenly heard,
echoing from somewhere on the lower floors. Tom and Roger waited, their
eyes wide and hopeful. There was only one person at Space Academy
capable of making such a noise.
"He made it!" Tom exclaimed.
"Of course he made it," said Roger casually.
Astro tore into 42-D with a mad rush.
"Yeeeoooooowwww!" He grabbed the two cadets and picked them up, one in
each hand. "I made it--hands down--I handled those rocket motors like
they were babes in arms! I told you that all I had to do was touch them
and I'd know! I told you!"
"Congratulations, Astro," said Tom with a wide grin.
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