“What do you mean, skipper?” asked Arv.
“I mean he’s not going to wait to starve the base into submission. He can’t risk it after spilling all
136
ATTACK ON NESTRIA 137
his plans to us. My hunch is he’ll capture Nestria by force!”
Tom radioed the news to his father. “Any word yet from the CIA?” he added.
“A special meeting has been called with the combined Chiefs of Staff and representatives of the State Department.”
“Dad, whatever they decide, it’s up to us to get a relief expedition ready to take off for Nestria as soon as possible! Ten to one the Black Cobra was aboard that spaceship.”
“I agree, son.”
“What about my magnetic deflector?”
“A crew’s been working on it around the clock. It should be ready by noon today.”
“Then suppose we start back,” Tom proposed. “I can be of more use chasing that snake.”
Mr. Swift, too, thought that Tom should prepare the Challenger for its attempt to pierce the antimatter barrier. In the meantime, he would alert all government tracking stations, as well as the space outpost and Fearing Island, to pick up the black spaceship on radar.
Signing off, Tom set the Sky Queen on a homeward course. As the atomic three-decker streaked over the South American continent, Arv and Hank insisted upon taking over the controls again from the two boys.
“You fellows have had a rough time,” Arv said.
138 THE ASTEROID PIRATES
“Besides, you’ll be up to your ears in work when we land,” Hank added.
“Okay, we’ll take turns.” Tom unbuckled his seat belt and stood up, stretching his weary muscles. “Call us in an hour.”
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