They had been
waiting for the order from Crass. Each carried a large crate, nearly
weightless in the Asteroid Belt. They maneuvered easily through space
and floated gently to the surface of the asteroid-a dark 100-yard wide
clump of dirty rock. Immediately the men began to distribute the crates
evenly over the surface of the rock.
The grim, forbidding, pocked asteroid became the site of frenzied work.
The crewmen removed sheet after sheet of dark metal from the crates and
fastened them to the floating chunk of iron. Tiny flames showed where
the irregular metal of the asteroid was being shaped to fit the plates
the pirates were anchoring to its surface.
In one hemisphere three other men were attaching power and propulsion
units. They sank holes several feet deep and inserted tubes, fuel
tanks, and a control mechanism. At one place near the asteroid's
equator a technician was installing a communications unit.
The four companion ships had returned and remained on guard less than a
quarter mile from the asteroid. In less than two hours the work on the
asteroid was completed and the crewmen reentered their ship.
"Take us home," ordered Crass. The five ships left the Belt and began
the quick journey back to their port. Crass smiled most of the way back.
On Mars in the communications tower of Eagle City, technician Mel
Golden was puzzled.
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