because of the double protection. But they could get through the Tomasite alone!”
Tom nodded. “Right. There must be a special reaction between the lead and the Tomasite-one we have not learned about as yet. Luckily, our C-type cargo rockets have both lead and Tomasite insulation. So, if my hunch is correct, our enemy won’t be able to foul them up. I think they’re our best bet!”
Tom rushed to the communications compartment and radioed orders to Fearing to blast off a C-type ship for the space station as soon as possible.
“Roger,” the Fearing operator responded. After a check with the launching area, he added, “They can have one on the pad ready for blast-off in less than two hours.”
A tense wait followed. Tom and Bud ate a hot meal and tried to force themselves to nap. When they finally managed to drop off to sleep, it seemed only a few minutes before a crewman was shaking them awake.
“The cargo rocket is here, skipper!” he reported to Tom.
The newly arrived ship, specially designed for shuttle service to the outpost, was clamped to the space station’s entry port. Tom and Bud hurried aboard through the air locks, lugging their space suits with them.
60 COSMIC ASTRONAUTS
First, Tom fed all the data on the missing rocket’s last known position into the Spacelane Brain. Then he took the controls and switched on the gyros to pivot the ship to reverse position. He then fired the rocket motors. The braking effect of the blast slowed the cargo rocket and the centrifugal force was reduced. Now the pull of gravity caused the ship to curve earthward in a steep glide.