said grimly. “Fellows, we’ll play it by ear and try to outwit them. Our first worry is to get through the antimatter barrier.”
The ship raced onward toward the asteroid. Tom checked the range dial constantly as they neared the danger zone. Presently Bud saw him switch on the magnetic deflector. A faint high-pitched hum could be heard in the cabin above the regular sound of the repelatron generators.
Bud threw a strained glance at the young inventor. “Are we hitting the antimatter barrier?”
Tom shook his head. “Not yet. About another minute and a half.”
The others in the flight compartment gathered about the pilot and copilot.
Just below the level of the cabin’s view panes, the great silver arrow of Tom’s magnetic deflector could be seen thrusting outward from the ship’s hull.
Would it enable them to pierce the barrier safely?
“B-b-brand my boot heels,” Chow stuttered, “I just hope that thingamajig works right!”
“If not,” Arv joked feebly, “we’ll be fried crisper than one of your corn fritters!”
The tension became almost unbearable as the seconds ticked by. At last they heard Tom give a slow sigh of relief.
“Okay-at ease, fellows,” he told them. “We seem to be getting through in one piece.”
Chow let out a joyful whoop while the others
150 THE ASTEROID PIRATES
congratulated Tom. The barrier breakthrough seemed to fill them all with fresh spirit.
“No matter what happens now, the Cobra can’t hold Nestria,” Hank pointed out. “If the Challenger can get through with Tom’s magnetic deflector, he’s wide open to a missile counterpunch!”