“Too dangerous,” Tom figured.
A DARING PLAN 181
If the message were picked up by the raiders at the outpost, his friends there might suffer.
It was close to midnight when Tom finally landed at Fearing. He quickly poured out his story to Hank Sterling, then phoned Harlan Ames, who said he would get in touch with government officials in Washington at once and with Interpol to capture the pirates.
“I’ll lead a group from here up to the outpost,” Tom said, signing off.
The base bristled with frenzied activity as rockets were prepared for launching. Half an hour later, Tom took off again. He used the Cosmic Sailer, sure he could fool the Orientals holding the space station into thinking the craft was still in their possession. Then, after landing and taking command by ruse, he would be reinforced with the ships following him.
“I sure hope the plan works,” said Hank grimly.
The men’s tense feelings grew almost unbearable as the Sailer approached the space wheel. Tom knew that a single false move could cost the lives of himself and every man aboard. He had already ordered his crew to don space suits and keep their gauntleted hands in front of their faces in case they were observed through telescopes or the station’s view ports.
“They must be made to believe we’re Li Ching’s men,” Tom said.
182 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
After mooring, he led the way as they jetted across to the wheel’s entry port.
They passed through the air lock, then stared in delighted stupefaction.
“Skipper!”… “Hank!”… “Yippee!”
“Bud! … Chow! … For Pete’s sake, what happened?” Tom gasped after pulling off his space helmet. “How’d you get free?”