"The commander's orders. Don't give me any arguments. Just get aboard."
"I can't argue with a loaded gun," Rip said wearily. He called to his
men. "We're under arrest. I don't know why. Don't try to resist. Do as
the spacemen order."
Rip got aboard the nearest landing boat, his head spinning. O'Brine had
made a mistake of some kind.
The landing boats, loaded with Planeteers and Connies, lifted from the
asteroid to the cruiser. They slid smoothly into the air locks and
settled. The massive lock doors slid closed and lights flickered on. Rip
waited, trying to keep consciousness from slipping away.
The lock gauges registered normal air, and the inner valves slid open.
Commander O'Brine stepped through, his square jaw outthrust and his face
flushed with anger. He bellowed, "Where's Foster?"
His voice was so loud that Rip heard him even through the bubble. He
stepped out of the boat and faced the irate commander.