Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 04 – And His Giant Robot

Fortunately, the evening sky was brilliant with stars, and when the workers’

eyes became accustomed to the dim light, they were able to load the Sky Queen quickly. Besides the two giant robots, they lifted aboard a huge square box fitted with metal straps.

Chow chortled. “So those mee-chanical guys travel with a trunk, eh? What kind o’ gear’s in it, Tom?”

“Actually it is gear,” the young inventor replied. “The trunk contains Sermek’s control panel. Ator’s is already out at the Citadel.”

“I see,” said Chow, but shook his head uncompre-hendingly.

When everything was in place, Tom summoned Bud, Radnor, Hank, and Arvid for the take-off. It was accomplished without fanfare and hours later they were circling over the Citadel, awaiting landing instructions.

“I see all the drone planes are at work,” Bud remarked, watching the six automatic planes circling, ready to capture and guide in any unwanted visiting ship. They could also intercept any bomb that might 190 TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT ROBOT

be dropped, so that it would explode in the air, not on the ground.

“I’ll feel a lot safer here now,” Tom said quietly, recalling his narrow escape from the tunnel during his first visit.

“Me too,” Bud said. “The drones will keep crows away, I suppose.”

“Let’s hope so, pal.”

A hard-surfaced area had been marked out in red lights within the huge reserve as a landing mat for the Sky Queen. Tom guided the ship down, using the jet lifters cautiously to avoid jarring his valuable cargo.

Mr. Swift was waiting for the group as they climbed down from the plane.