"What is it, Dowst?"
"Sir, take a look, about two degrees south of Rigel!"
Rip found the constellation Orion and looked at bright Rigel. For a
moment he saw nothing; then, south of the star, he saw a thin, orange
line.
Nuclear drive cruisers didn't have exhausts of that color, and there was
only one rocket-drive ship around, so far as they knew.
Rip said softly, "Let's get our house in order, gang. Looks as if we're
going to get a visit from the Connies!"
CHAPTER EIGHT
Duck--or Die!
Sergeant Major Koa's great frame loomed in front of Rip. "Think they've
spotted us, sir?"
Rip hated to say it. "Probably. Koa, can you estimate from the exhaust
how far away they are?"
"Not very well, Lieutenant. From the position of the streak, I'd say
they're decelerating."
The Planeteers looked at Rip. He was in command, and they expected him to
do something about the situation. Rip didn't know what to do. The rocket
launcher, their only weapon, wasn't designed for fighting spaceships. It
was useful against snapper-boats and people, but firing at a cruiser
would be like sending mosquitoes to fight elephants.
He sized up their position. For one thing, they were right out in the
open, exposed to anything the Connie cruiser might throw at them.
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