It was getting larger. The cruiser was within a few
miles of the asteroid.
As Rip watched, fire spurted from the cruiser, and it moved with
gathering speed toward the asteroid's horizon. He watched the exhaust
trail, wondering why the Connie had blasted off.
"He has something up his sleeve," Koa muttered. "Wish we knew what."
"Let's take no chances," Rip stated. "Come on."
The men were already in the boat. He and Koa joined them. They stood at a
window, watching the Connie's trail.
The trail dwindled. Koa said, "Something's up!" Suddenly new fire shot
from one side of the cruiser, and it spun. Balancing fire came from the
other side, and for an instant the three exhausts formed a cross, with
the darkness of the Connie's hull in the center. Then they could see only
the exhausts from the sides. The stern flame was out of sight. "He's made
a full turn to come back this way," Rip stated tensely. "Dowst, get
ready."
The Connie was perhaps twenty miles away. It grew larger, and the side
jets winked out. A few seconds later, fire spurted from the nose.
Rip figured rapidly. The cruiser had gone far enough away to make a turn.
It had straightened out, heading right for them. Now the nose tube was
blasting, slowing the cruiser down.
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