"Caxton, we've found the _Space Bird_ but can't speak to them, so I'm
cutting you in on communications with an Asteroid Mining ship that's
hanging around. Tape pictures and sound--the whole works."
"Okay."
Flipping another switch, Bill called the strange ship on the
all-interplanetary frequency.
Suddenly after long minutes of silence the dark screen lighted up with
the impassive features of a round faced, cold eyed man.
"Yeah? This is the _Pluton_. What d'you want--and who are you?"
"This is the _Space Dragon_--sister ship to the _Space Bird_ there in
your vicinity. What's the matter with our ship?"
The man's eyes darkened and his jaws tightened. "There's plenty wrong
with it, _Space Dragon_. And the same thing's going to be wrong with
your ship, too. A 'meteor' is going to hit your ship the same as hit
the _Space Bird_. Asteroid Mining doesn't like competitors horning in
their business!"
Bill shot back grimly, "I'm glad to hear your views on competition,
Mister. The whole world is interested in our Project Venture, and when
they hear what you said there's going to be hell to pay. Because, you
see, everything you say and how you look saying it is being recorded
back at Staker Field on Earth!"
The other man's impassive face suddenly turned into a ludicrous mask
of a man burning his fingers on hot chestnuts. The two way hook-up
abruptly ended. On the scope Bill and Jones watched the image of the
_Pluton_ begin to move across the scope and finally out of range in
the opposite direction toward Asteroid Mining's Omega Quadrant.
Hours later the _Space Dragon_ made physical contact with Tom's ship.
Bill was the first one through the communicating airlock.
Tom, his face drawn and haggard, met him as he emerged in the ship.
The rest of the crew were lying still to conserve air.
"Hi, Bill. Boy, are we glad to see you. That 'meteor' they threw at us
confined us on air bottles in the forward compartments."
Bill shook his hand warmly. "We got enough air for all of us. After we
patch things up here, let's start carving us a chunk of private
enterprise."
Tom's tired eyes lighted up. "Hm, say, you're so right! Our geigers
have found enough floating ore in Beta Quadrant already to make a big
nick in Asteroid's business."
Bill gave him a mock salute, "Okay, skipper. You've earned the title
of Head Dreamer, and I'll help make your dreams come true!"