overhauling a firing unit this morning, sir, and I guess I got a little
dirty."

"That is enlisted man's work, sir," stated Connel. "You are an officer."

"I know, sir, but--" Slick stammered. "Well, sir, once in a while I like
to do it myself."

Tom turned away, hiding a smile. The young officer was expressing the
same feelings Connel himself had uttered just a few minutes before.
Connel cleared his throat, and with a sidelong glance at Tom and a wink,
dismissed the young officer, ordering him to have a jet car sent for
them right away.

"Take mine, sir," said the young officer, happy to have escaped Connel's
wrath so easily. It was not too long ago that he had been a cadet at the
Academy and he remembered all too clearly what Connel could do when he
was mad.

When the jet car was brought up, Tom slipped behind the wheel, and with
Connel seated beside him, he sent the sleek little vehicle roaring
across the spaceport to the main administration building.

Inside the gleaming crystal building, Connel and Tom were escorted by a
Space Marine guard to the office of the spaceport commander, Captain Jim
Arnold. He and Connel knew each other well, and after quick greetings
and the introduction of the young cadet, Connel asked for the latest
reports on the projectile receivers.

"Lou, I've got good news for you," announced Arnold. "We've completed