The Space Pioneers

rted regions of the solar system. Inside the gleaming ships the colonists had settled down for the long voyage to the new satellite of Roald. Their quarters were cramped and uncomfortable. There w

tion so that any vessel could be found without difficulty. Now that the fleet was in position, and the early confusion of forming

waited for Astro as he climbed up the ladder to join them. Th

rumbled, "I'm so tired I could

think Vidac would give us a

his is just the beginning. I'll bet by the time we reach Roald

n and the hatch slid open. The three cadets

orting as ordered

d stared up at the three cadets, a

"But I'm not the one who believes in idle hands. I've assigned you to Professor Sykes. He needs help in charting the

oger. "But we're com

dn't we log some sack time befo

," he said sharply, "that when I give an order I expect it to be

stammere

ramrod straight, he saluted the lieu

, followed by Astro and Roger, he le

they sat about the table silently, each thinking about the long trip ahead of them and the difficulties they were sure to en

fel

Tom. Astro and Ro

concern. "What's the matter with you three guys? You

ust assigned us to work with Professor

at. The old professor isn't so bad.

rofessor Sykes is like. I had a class with him at the Acad

ch fierce conviction that Tom, Ro

ssor Sykes," said Tom. "He's a real brain

at?" as

en over around here. We're supposed to be

rdy's executive of

r. "We're finding tha

r Hardy would make him lieutenant gov

ers since you came to the Academy, you're suspicious of everyone you meet.

e and mild, his manner so quietly humorous, it was

adets against the enlisted guardsmen in a forthcoming mercuryball game, and then went up to the

ld open up and swallow them when he began one of his infamous tirades. Even perfection in studies and execution by a cadet would receive a mere grunt from the cantankerous professor. Such temperament was permissible at the Academy by an instructor only because of his genius and for no other reason. And Professor Sykes fitted the bill. It was by sheer devotion to his work and single-mindedness of purpose that he was able t

Sykes bending over a calculating machine checking some figures. Apparently finding a

etty well, sir," Roger said.

d at the blond-haired cadet. "

nning, sir,"

te instrument that could add, subtract, divide, and multiply, in fractio

ir," sa

t machine. Built the first one myself. Now offhand

d Roger. "But I just

ofessor. He turned to Jeff. "What are they doing here? You kno

en assigned to work with you, s

What space-blasting idiot got the

t governor, si

he teleceiver, flipped it on, and waite

. Before the lieutenant governor could

else for them to do?" bawled Sykes. "Is my work considered so unimportant that I should be impeded by t

e screamed at Jeff Marshall. "Get them out of here! Put them to work-scrubbing the decks, cleaning up the place, anything! But keep them out

rized him at his sarcastic best, the cadet stepped forward. He saluted, and with his face a bare six inches from Sykes, said evenly, "To speak to you, sir, under any conditions, si

bbling sound and he finally turned to Jeff Marshall, waving his arms

stro, who, repressing smiles, saluted an

Governor Hardy himself. Standing before his desk the eccentric scientist

uthed sassy cadets! And as for that-that man Vidac, if he ever turns off the teleceiver again when I'm t

, Sykes turned and sta

ic job of education; I am the co-ordinator of the whole project and Lieutenant Governor Vidac is my immediate executive officer. We all have to work together. Let's see if we can't do it a little more smoo

r me," ga

redoubled, the professor backed out of the room and hurried below to Vidac's quarters. Expecting another col

y. "I apologize for cutting you off, but I make it a point never to talk to a man when he's angry. Come, sit down, and have

said Sykes, accepti

ofessor's temper had abated. When the scientist finally left, Vidac turned to the ship's intercom a

ion. He leaned back against his desk and looked at each cadet through hal

d out without complaints or whining excuses. You saw fit to start an argument as soon as you reported, thereby interrupting his work. The professor went to the gove

said Tom. "T

c coldly. "Don't ever interru

aid Tom throu

o remind you that Captain Strong isn't here. There's no one here but me. You will do as I s

ak, sir?"

e. I warn you, never use it on me, or-" H

lication as a colonist originally. I know what your feelings must be now that I am your superior. And because I know, I feel I should warn you not to try to express your feelings. Yo

erfect about-face, and walked once again from the room. Outsid

so boiling mad he couldn't speak. Finally, after they had showered and were

" he said, when Roger started to turn out th

"Are you going to tell

here somewhere. I can understand the professor blasting his jets. He doe

trong? So far nothing concrete has happened." He shook his head. "I'm afraid if I put what

er and blast outta here. A whole year with this

m. He clenched his fists. Needless to say, he agreed with Roger, he