Dropping their tools, the men started to run for cover. But there was no time to reach safety. A blurred object streaked across the sky and headed directly for the camp.
“A guided missile!” Bud yelled. “It’s going to hit us!”
CHAPTER 19
DISASTER STRIKES
A SPLIT SECOND LATER the missile struck-^ a clean hit on the ice cave housing the spare blaster!
A deafening explosion rocked the area and the ice cave flew apart in a burst of smoke and flame! Metal fragments were sprayed over the entire camp.
Furious and sickened by the sudden blow, Tom could hardly speak. He stood clenching his fists and gritting his teeth as he fought to master the feelings of rage and despair that swept over him.
With the spare blaster gone, everything hinged on the successful operation of the single atomic drill. If this blaster were pinned or crushed while digging the shaft, the entire expedition would be a failure. Swift Enterprises and the Swift Construction Company would be ruined!
161
162 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER
“What will we do now?” asked Dr. Faber gravely, as Tom’s men gathered around.
“Give those Kranjovians a taste of their own medicine!” Tom turned to his flight crewmen. “Roll the Sky Queen out of her hangar and get her ready for immediate take-off!”
The men were exultant at the news that Tom was about to strike back at the enemy. Colonel Eagle Friend and some of the others begged for a chance to accompany him on the flight. But Tom decided to limit his crew to one man-his husky copilot, Bud Barclay.
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