car at the side entrance of the building. I can't explain now, but get
out of here!"

"But what do you want us to do?" asked Tom. The three cadets were
already grabbing their clothes and other items they would need.

"The only way you're going to prove that you didn't abduct or murder the
professor is to find him," said Strong. "And pray to your stars that
he's still alive. If he isn't, it'll be up to you to find out who killed
him!"

"But what about you, sir?" asked Roger. "Won't Vidac know that you
helped us?"

"Undoubtedly," said Strong. "After what I said to the guard today, Vidac
will arrange for a hundred witnesses to prove that I helped you escape.
You'll have to bring back the professor, not only to save your own
necks, but my neck as well."

The three cadets nodded.

"All right," said Strong. "Spaceman's luck, and remember, you'll be
wanted criminals when you walk out of that door. So act like criminals.
Fight them the same way they will fight you. This is not a space
maneuver. It's your lives against theirs!"

Without another word, the three cadets slipped out of the room and
disappeared down the corridor.

Strong took a last look at Bush lying unconscious on the floor and