“There’s only one answer I can think of,” Tom told the others. “Li Ching or his buddies must be getting through our Tomasite shielding. They’re using some sort of electromagnetic-wave action which affects our control system.”
The crewmen stared at Tom uneasily. “What can we do, skipper?” one asked.
“First I’ll go outside and check our position,” Tom replied. “While I’m at it, I’ll see if our space-suit mechanisms are affected the same way.”
“Are you crazy? You can’t do that!” Bud exploded.
“Why not?”
“Our enemies may be somewhere within range! Or suppose your space suit gets fouled up some way? Anything could happen!”
Tom said calmly, “We can’t just sit up here and do nothing. As it is, we’re not even sure of our ship’s position in space. Anyhow, Bud, I doubt if going outside will put me in any physical danger.”
Realizing Tom’s mind was made up, Bud de-
DESTINATION OUTPOST 51
cided to accompany the young inventor. The two boys left Bob Jeffers in charge and quickly donned their ponderous space suits and transparent helmets.
Then they made their way through the rocket’s air lock. Tom took with him a portable sextant and a small portable computer, powered by a solar battery.
Floating free in the space void, Tom used the sextant, then tuned several adjustments on the computer for a bearing on three separate stars. The resulting “fix” showed instantly on the com-52 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
puter’s dial-a reading of their orbital position with respect to earth.
“What’s the answer?” Bud signaled over his suit radio.