The Connie didn't know that. In Rip's place he would have no compunctions
about using the knife, so instead of calling Rip's bluff, he agreed.
The snapper-boats blew their front tubes, decelerating, and squashed down
to the asteroid in a roar of exhaust flames, sending the Planeteers
running out of the way. Rip thrust harder with his space knife and
yelled, "Tell them!"
The Connie officer nodded. "Turn up my communicator."
Rip turned it on full, and the Connie barked quick instructions. The
exhausts died, and five men filed out of each boat, with hands held high.
Rip blew a drop of perspiration from the tip of his nose. Empty space!
It was a good thing Connie morale was bad. The enemy's willingness to
surrender had saved them a costly fight.
The Planeteers rounded up the prisoners and secured them, while Rip took
an anxious look at the communicator. It was about time he heard from
Terra base.
The light was glowing. For all he knew, it might have been glowing for
many minutes. He plugged into the circuit.
"This is Foster on the asteroid."
"Terra base to Foster. Listen. You will reach optimum position on the
time-distance curve at twenty-three-oh-six."
"Got it. We will reach optimum position at twenty-three-oh-six.
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