Bud scowled angrily. “Of all the dirty tricks! Boy, would I like to get my hands on those rats!”
“I want to as much as you, so I can find Dad and Ted. Well, maybe we can,”
Tom murmured thoughtfully.
“How?” Bud asked.
“Are you game to do a little more exploring?”
“Sure. But what do we look for?” Bud queried.
“Signs of an enemy camp,” Tom replied. “If they’re waiting for the Challenger to make a landing, they may have a base somewhere within striking distance. If we could find it, we might be able to get the jump on them-at least they wouldn’t be able to take us by surprise.”
Bud agreed eagerly. “Now you’re talking, pal!”
Hastily the boys returned to the ship to refill their oxygen tanks from the ship’s supply before starting out on reconnaissance. The men were astounded when they learned about Tom’s findings. They were about evenly divided in their opinion of the boys continuing their search.
“I know how you feel,” said Arv. “And you’re doing this partly for protection to all of us. But for goodness’ sake be careful.”
Chow was very much excited at thought of the dangerous mission. “Brand my asteroids, boss, you’re askin’ for trouble,” the cook protested.
136 SPACE SOLARTRON
“Don’t do it, Tom-it’s too risky! Those ornery human steers may be fixin’ to stampede you!”
“Don’t worry, Chow.” Tom put his hand on the cook’s shoulder. “We’ll try not to take any unnecessary chances. But we must find Dad and Ted!”
Chow shook his head uneasily. “I still think you’re makin’ a mistake, Tom.”
Disregarding the Texan’s protests, the boys climbed back into their space suits and shoved off again on their repelatron donkeys.
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