Two hours later, stuffed with spaceburgers and Martian water, their arms loaded with assorted prizes, won by Astro’s prowess in the weight-lifting booth, Tom’s skill as a marksman, and Roger’s luck at the wheels of chance, the cadets wearily returned to the Polaris.
As they neared their section of the fair site they heard a harsh voice appealing to a small crowd around the stand in front of Wallace and Simms’ spaceship. A huge sign spelled out the attraction: RIDE IN SPACE—ONE CREDIT.
Luther Simms, a bamboo cane in one hand, a roll of tickets in another, was hawking his attraction to the bystanders.
“Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! Step right up! It’s a thrill of a lifetime, the greatest sensation of the entire exposition. Ride a rocket ship, and all this for one credit! A lone, single credit, ladies and gents, will buy you a pathway to the stars! Step right up—”
In laughing groups, the crowd around the stand began to purchase tickets and climb aboard the old freighter.
The three cadets watched from the outer edge of the crowd.
“Hey, fellas,” said Roger suddenly, “whaddya say we go?”
“What?” gulped Astro. “On that thing?”
“Why not?” urged Roger.
“But that hulk should have been shipped back to the scrap furnace years ago!” Tom protested.
“So what, Junior?” drawled Roger. “Scared?”
“Don’t be silly,” replied Tom. “But with all the other things to do here, why should we—”
“Oh,” said Astro, nudging Tom, “now I get it!”
“You get what?” asked Roger innocently.
“Those girls,” said Astro. “They’re just climbing aboard.”
Glancing at the air lock, Tom saw three young and pretty girls file into the ship. “Oh, so that’s it, huh?” he said, looking quizzically at his unit-mate.
The blond cadet’s eyes were wide with mock surprise.
“Girls? Well, what do you know about that? I never noticed!”
“Yeah, I’ll bet you didn’t!” said Tom.
“Well, they are trim little space dolls. And there are three of them!”
“Come on, Astro,” sighed Tom. “We have to give the little boy his fun.”
They walked toward the stand where Simms was still making his pitch to the crowd.
“Just five more seats left, ladies and gentlemen, only five chances to blast into space…”
Tom stepped up and put three credits on the counter. “Three, please,” he said.
Simms looked down and suddenly stopped his harangue. His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he saw the three cadets standing before him. Hesitating, he glanced around, seemingly looking for help. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he handed over the tickets and turned to the crowd. “Three tickets for the Space Cadets, who live out there in space. Just can’t stay away from it, eh, boys?”
“I only hope that tub of yours holds together,” said Tom.
Simms snarled out of the side of his mouth, “Shut up, wise guy!” And then continued aloud, “Yes, Space Cadet, I agree with you. Everyone should take a trip into space.”
Tom started to protest, but then shrugged his shoulders and followed Roger and Astro into the ship. On the stand, Simms continued his appeal to the crowd.
“Just two more tickets left, ladies and gentlemen! Who’ll be the lucky two?”
Suddenly Gus Wallace appeared from behind the ship and approached the stand, calling, “Hey, Simms!”
Simms stopped speaking and turned to his partner. “Yeah?”
“Everything’s all set. Let’s blast off!”
“I’ll be with you as soon as I sell the last two tickets,” said Simms. “Here you are, ladies and gents, the last two—”
Wallace grabbed him by the arm and yanked him from the stand. “I said we blast off, you idiot! You want to risk everything for two lousy credits?”
“O.K., O.K. Don’t blow a fuse!”
Simms quickly closed the stand, turned out the lighted sign, and followed Wallace into the old freighter. He then collected the tickets and made sure all the passengers were strapped into their acceleration chairs and finally went below to the power deck. Wallace disappeared into the control room and seconds later his voice was heard over the ship’s intercom gruffly announcing the blast-off. The lights in the cabin dimmed, the air was filled with a low whining hiss, and for an instant the old ship bucked and groaned. Suddenly, with a loud explosive roar, she blasted into the sky and began a sluggish arching climb into space.
“All right, fellas,” said Roger, after the force of acceleration eased off, “let’s try a little encircling maneuver on those girls up ahead.”
“Oh, no, Roger,” answered Tom. “You’re flying solo on that project!”
“Yeah, you go ahead, Romeo.” Astro laughed. “I’d like to see the Manning technique in action.”
A loud explosion suddenly rocked the spaceship.
“What was that?” cried Roger. “Maybe this old tub won’t make it after all!”
Astro smiled. “This is a chemical burner, remember? Her initial acceleration isn’t enough. They have to keep blasting her to make speed.”
“Oh, sure,” drawled Roger, relaxing again and watching the girls ahead. “Well, here I go!” He got up and lurched down the aisle running between the seats.
“Hey there!” roared Simms, who had suddenly appeared at the power-deck hatch. “Keep your seat!”
“Who, me?” asked Roger.
“Not your Aunt Tilly, wise guy! Sit down and shut up!”
“Listen,” said Roger, “you don’t seem to realize—”
“I realize you’re going to sit down or else!” snarled Simms.
Roger retreated to his seat and sat down. “Ah, go blast your jets,” he grumbled as Simms continued up the aisle to the control deck.
Tom and Astro doubled over with laughter. “Welcome back, Roger,” bellowed the big Venusian. “I don’t think those girls are the sociable type, anyway.”
“Wouldn’t you know,” moaned Roger, “that space creep had to show up just when I had the whole campaign laid out in my mind.” He gazed sadly at the pert heads of the girls in front of him.
Tom gave Astro a wink. “Poor Manning. All set to go hyperdrive and ran into space junk before he cleared atmosphere.”
Suddenly another explosion racked the ship and the rockets cut out all together. The passengers began to look around nervously.
“By the craters of Luna, what was that?” demanded Tom, looking at Astro.
“The rockets have cut out,” answered the Venusian. “Hope we’re out in free fall, beyond the pull of Venus’ gravity.”
The forward hatch of the passenger cabin opened and Simms reappeared followed by Wallace.
“Take it easy, folks,” said Wallace, “nothing to get excited about. We’re in free fall, holding a course around the planet. So just sit back and enjoy the view!”
A chorus of sighs filled the cabin and the passengers began laughing and chatting again, pointing out various sights on the planet below them. Smiling, Wallace and Simms marched down the aisle. Suddenly Roger and