He couldn't
forget what Roger had said about a collision, though.
"Excuse me, Captain," said Tom, "but have there been any serious
collisions in space between ships?"
"Sure have, Tom," replied Strong. "About twenty years ago, maybe less,
there was a whole wave of them. That was before we developed
superrebound pulse radar. The ships were faster than the radar at close
range."
Strong paused. "Why do you ask?"
Before Tom could answer, there was a sharp warning from the captain.
"Eight o'clock, Corbett!"
Tom ripped open the envelope containing the sealed orders.
"Congratulations," he read. "You are in command of the defenders. You
have under your command, Squadrons A--B--C--D--E--F. Squadrons G and H
are your enemies, and at this moment are on their way to attack Luna
City. It is your job to protect it and destroy the enemy fleet.
Spaceman's luck! Walters, Commander Space Academy, Senior Officer Solar
Guard."
"Roger," yelled Tom, "we've been selected as flagship for the defenders!
Get me a course to Luna City!"
"Good for us, spaceboy. I'll give you that course in a jiffy!"
" ... _Capella_ to _Polaris_--am standing by for your orders...." Tony
Richards' voice crackled over the teleceiver. One by one the
twenty-three ships that made up the defender's fleet checked in for
orders.
"Astro," shouted Tom, "stand by for maneuver--and be prepared to give me
every ounce of thrust you can get!"
"Ready, willing and able, Tom," replied Astro.
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