Tom’s face became grave. “Bud, I’m worried. If they figure they can’t hold out against us, they may decide to kill Dad rather than be taken alive!”
170
SPACE SOLARTRON
“Good night! I never thought of that!” The copilot stared at Tom fearfully.
“What can we do?”
“I’ll try calling them again!” But as Tom began speaking into his mike, a white flag suddenly appeared from the air lock of the enemy rocket!
“A flag of truce!” Bud cried. “They must be ready to surrender!”
The young inventor scowled thoughtfully.
FLAG OF TRUCE
171
“That white flag may be a trick, but there’s only one way to find out,” he replied. “I’ll go aboard.”
“And I’ll go with you!” Bud volunteered.
“Okay. Arv, you take over. Keep a sharp watch and be ready for trouble.”
“Roger!”
Donning space suits, the two boys left the Challenger and propelled themselves toward the enemy craft. The rocket’s air lock opened to admit them.
“Guess the welcome mat is out,” Bud remarked, with a quizzical glance at his companion.
172 SPACE SOLARTRON
Tom shrugged, tight-lipped, and went in through the hatch. Bud followed. As the outer door closed behind them, the inner door of the air lock opened. The boys paused cautiously and removed their space helmets before stepping into the ship’s living compartment. Before they could draw back, strong hands seized the two boys and yanked them inside!
“So sorry,” hissed a voice with a thick Mongolian accent, “but Mr. Swift is not here. You will please hand over the complete plans now. Then we will tell you what happened to himl”
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