He switched on the speaker and the Nestrian operator’s voice came through: “The black spaceship is zooming in on us! … Please send help! … The men are …”
The voice became indistinct, then faded into silence.
CHAPTER XVII
A CRUCIAL TEST
TOM grabbed the microphone. “Fearing calling Nestria! Come in, please!”
The radioman frantically tuned the receiver, trying to recapture the signal.
“No use, skipper. They’re off the air.”
Even though an attack had been feared, the blow had come so suddenly that Tom and his companions were stunned. Apparently Nestria had fallen to the enemy!
“Those sneaking rats!” Bud exploded.
“Why couldn’t the base have been armed?” Arv raged. “Our men could have blasted that ship into space dust!”
“It was out of the question,” Tom said grimly. “When we first took over the asteroid, our government proclaimed it a peaceful scientific base for the benefit of all mankind.”
145
146 THE ASTEROID PIRATES
“Which makes this sneak blitz all the dirtier!” Hank Sterling stormed.
Tom was trying to keep his head, but inwardly he was blazing with anger and with fear for the base personnel’s safety. More than likely the Black Cobra would ruthlessly wipe out every American on the asteroid!
“Get Enterprises!” Tom told the radioman.
In a few moments he was speaking with his father. Mr. Swift was appalled by the news of the attack but counseled caution.
“This is a matter for our government now, son,” he said tensely. “I think we must wait for official instructions.”
“We can’t wait, Dad!” Tom protested. “If there’s even a slim chance of rescuing our men, it’s our duty to act now! Maybe we can even find some way to stall the Cobra’s take-over!”