"We'll be able to power up before too long, now! We'll be on our way
ourselves," announced Zip, animatedly. "Soon we can get in touch with
Starlight. It's been over a week since we've been in contact. We've got
a lot to tell them." The shadow that had lain over Zip for two days had
been lifted. "How long until we can turn on the power, Mark? When will
we be out of the pirates' radar range?"
"Less than an hour, I'd say."
Zip raised his voice so everyone could hear. "We get under way in an
hour, men!"
It was sooner than that. In 26 minutes, the asteroid was no longer
visible to the eye. Zip waited a full 45 minutes then turned on the
ship's power at its lowest setting. Using the radar, he scanned the
quadrant where the asteroid had last been seen and turned up no object
of significance. He hadn't expected to.
"That doesn't mean they can't see us," he mused to Mark and Joe. "That
asteroid is probably sheathed just like their ships. But I think we're
safe now-safe enough, anyway, to get moving."
"Right. Let's go," said Joe. "I'll jettison the derelict and power up!
I've been looking forward to this moment!"
Zip ran the power switch up to maximum and commanded everyone to
prepare for acceleration. Joe ignited the propulsion system. With the
lanky Starman at the controls the alien ship began its journey toward
the Asteroid Belt.
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