_Sagittarius_, constellation of the Archer, and _Aquila_, constellation of
the Eagle, had given the two Federation patrol cruisers their names. The
Eagle was commanded by a tough Scotsman, and the Archer by a Frenchman.
Commander MacFife spoke through the communicator. "Switch bands to
universal, lad. Me’n Galliene are goin’ to talk this Connie into a braw
mess. MacFife off."
Rip guessed that the two cruiser commanders had been in communication
while enroute to the asteroid and had cooked up some kind of plan. He
turned the band switch to the universal frequency with which all
long-range communicators were equipped. Each of the earth groups had its
own frequency, and so did the Martians and Jovians. But all could meet and
talk on the universal band.
Special scrambling devices prevented eavesdropping on regular frequencies,
so there was no danger that the Connie had overheard the plan. Rip
wondered what it was. He knew the cruisers had to be careful not to cross
the thin line that might lead to war.
The _Sagittarius_ loomed closer, decelerating with a tremendous exhaust.
The Connie couldn’t have failed to see it, Rip knew. He was right. The
Consops cruiser suddenly blasted more heavily, rushing in the direction
away from the Federation ship. The direction was toward the asteroid.
And at the same moment, the _Aquila_ flashed above the horizon, also
decelerating. The Connie was caught squarely.
A suave voice spoke on the universal band. "This is Federation _SCN
Sagittarius_, calling the Consolidation cruiser near the asteroid. Please
reply."
Rip waited anxiously. The Connie would hear, because every control room
monitored the universal band.
A heavy, reluctant voice replied after a pause of over a minute.
"This is Consolidation cruiser Sixteen. You are breaking the law,
_Sagittarius_. Your missile ports are open and they are pointing at me.
Close them at once or I will report this."
The suave voice with its hint of French accent replied, "Ah, my friend! Do
not be alarmed. We have had a slight accident to our control circuit and
the ports are jammed open. We are trying to repair the situation. But I
assure you, we have only the friendliest of intentions."
Rip grinned. This was about the same as a man holding a cocked pistol at
another man’s head and assuring him it was nothing but a nervous arm that
kept the gun so steady.