Ames nodded. “Gus Miller’s okay, but we know nothing about his partner. I’ll check on him.”
Tom and Bud flew on to Fearing and bunked
REVOLVING EARS 51
overnight at the base. Morning dawned bright and cool, with a pearly sky and good weather for their takeoff. After breakfast in the mess hall, the boys jeeped to the launching area.
A picked crew of volunteers for the flight was already on hand, including Chow Winkler and Hank Sterling, Enterprises’ chief engineer.
“She’s all checked out, skipper,” Hank said.
Tom glanced with pride at the Challenger, looming like a huge, fantastic silver gyroscope. “Okay, Hank-I’m sure she’ll get us there.”
Before they boarded the spaceship, a jeep sped up to the launch site. Mr.
Swift stepped out and shook hands with the crew. “Good luck, son. I couldn’t resist flying over to see you off.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Tom grinned and gripped his hand. “This won’t be any cinch, but I sure want to see what’s under that green atmosphere!”
The crew entered the airlock and took the elevator to their posts. Tom switched on the atomic generators and the mighty ship came alive. Flashing lights on the element-selector panel showed the proper “mix” for the repulsion rays. Then Tom lined up the isotope indicators, tuning the repelatrons for maximum ground thrust.
The Challenger zoomed into the sky. With no G-force pinning them to acceleration cots, Tom, Bud, Chow, Hank, and a radarman could fully enjoy the breath-taking sight through the pilots’ twin view panes.
“Brand my bacon!” Chow exclaimed. “I never