“Listen, you two! I insist you have something to eat before you leave!” Sandy declared.
152 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
Tom was impatient over any delay. When Sandy proceeded to call Chow, the old Texan solved the problem by volunteering to go along as cook.
A short time later Chow came jouncing out to the airfield astride a motor scooter, hauling a cart loaded with supplies.
“Good griefl” Tom said, unable to suppress a grin. “We’ll be back tomorrow, unless something goes wrong!”
“Bring food-that’s my motto,” Chow retorted, “like any good cook.”
Minutes later, after a parting handshake from his father and a worried kiss from Sandy, Tom sent the sleek jet racing down the runway for take-off. Soon they were airborne and heading westward. Chow served a tasty meal en route.
It was still daylight when the jet landed vertically in the Colorado canyon. The government crew manning the installation, and the Swift technician who had relieved Art Wiltessa as trouble shooter on the setup, greeted them eagerly.
“Looks as if we’re in for a real test, Tom,” said Mike Burrows, the engineer in charge.
“Let’s hope we pass!” said Tom, holding up crossed fingers.
He checked every detail of the Quakelizor, power plant, and the communications gear. He opened an inspection panel in each of the dual-AN URGENT WARNING 153
control spheres and tuned the kinetic-hydraulic units so as to step up the working pressure of the four powerful drivers.
“Well, all we can do now is wait,” the young inventor muttered, wiping his arm across his forehead.