human
What's--what's happening, Major?
gpt
Professor, said Connel,
human
Good, good,
gpt
And as for you, Barret --Connel turned toward the man angrily--
human
All set to fire, sir!
gpt
Any word from Manning?
human
Not while I've been here,
gpt
Hello, Manning! he shouted.
human
What's the story?
gpt
Coming up to the last chapter, replied Roger over the intercom.
human
Devers is holding course. Should cross our bow in two minutes!
gpt
Good, replied Connel.
human
Keep us posted!
gpt
Stupid fool! he snorted.
human
He should've fired another torpedo and wiped us out. What's the matter with him?
gpt
Maybe he thinks we've already had it, suggested Astro.
human
With our stern blasted away, he might figure all the air's gone out of the ship.
gpt
Let's hope he keeps on figuring that way, said Connel.
human
Everything ready to fire, Corbett?
gpt
All set, sir, the young cadet replied.
human
I've hooked up all circuits to this button. He pointed to a button on the control panel.
gpt
We'll blast in salvo.
human
Oh, we will, will we?
gpt
If you think it's advisable,
human
Of course it's advisable! snorted Connel.
gpt
We're almost aiming blind as it is. A salvo will give us a bigger spread. Besides, he added,
human
I'd like just a little potful of luck, murmured Astro,
gpt
Heads up, down there!
human
Devers crossing our bow yet?
gpt
He's still holding course, said Roger.
human
But he's training his number one starboard tube this way. He's going to blast us again!
gpt
How long do we have to wait for that bow shot?
human
Another forty-five seconds at least!
gpt
Blast it! muttered Connel.
human
Plenty of time for him to fire.
gpt
You can't keep me here! Let me go!
human
Stay put,
gpt
No, cried Barret, frantic with fear.
human
It's murder! Let me go!
gpt
Relax and enjoy it, Barret, snorted Connel.
human
It's your boss who's doing it!
gpt
What about Professor Hemmingwell, sir? asked Tom.
human
Shouldn't we--?
gpt
No, Hemmingwell spoke up from his daze.
human
I want to stay with my ship.
gpt
Hey! Roger cried over the intercom.
human
We're getting company!
gpt
Company? exclaimed Tom.
human
What're you talking about?
gpt
A Solar Guard cruiser, replied Roger.
human
Coming up to port. About five hundred miles away. Hey! It's the _Polaris_!
gpt
It must be Captain Strong!
human
He won't do us much good now, muttered Connel.
gpt
How much time do we have, Roger?
human
Get set down there. Only another ten seconds and Devers will be right on our bow.
gpt
On the ball, Tom!
human
Ready, sir.