Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 13 – And His Space Solartron

WILL BE SENT THERE BY ROCKET AS SOON AS THE PLANS ARE IN OUR

HANDS. IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY, YOU WILL NEVER SEE YOUR FATHER

ALIVE AGAIN!

The message carried no signature. Tom’s eyes misted and his throat constricted for a moment. But Bud gave a snort of fury. “Those sneaking space rats!” he gritted. “Tom, you’re not going to give in to them, are you?”

“Of course not. Dad wouldn’t want me to,” Tom retorted grimly. “Come on.

Let’s get back to the ship! I want to take off before I blow my top!”

While flying back to the Challenger, Tom checked with Arv Hanson by radio and learned that the ship was ready and the crew mustered. On reaching the space craft Tom told him briefly about the ransom note, then hurried up to the flight compartment with Bud. A few moments later the mighty space cruiser took off from the moon area.

“Automatic pilot all the way?” Bud asked as the Challenger zoomed through the void.

Tom nodded. “The computer will guide us to the interception point. We should meet their

FLAG OF TRUCE 167

orbital track somewhere above the Indian Ocean.”

Hours went by. As the time for interception approached, Tom passed the word over the intercom. Mike watched the radarscope intently.

“No sign of ‘em, skipper,” he reported after scanning the area carefully for ten minutes.

Tension mounted with every passing moment. Tom clenched his jaw in disappointment as the enemy rocket ship failed to appear.

“I can’t understand it, Tom!” Ted Spring groaned. He blamed himself for the failure. Hopefully he added, “Maybe they’ve gone back to earth.”