Ferris tugged at the latch. It moved a little. He tugged again and it sprang free. Ferris stood up, straddled the circular lock, and pulled back the cover. Air rushed out. Through the narrow hole he saw the tiny storage compartment. Satisfied, he let himself through and dropped to the floor, pulling the cover back in place as he did so. The room was small--only a few feet higher than Ferris, not much longer. The sound of the oxygen pumps grew louder for a moment, as the semi-vacuum was being replaced. Ferris waited several minutes, then removed the space suit. Finding the air suitable, he stepped to the compartment door, opened it a crack, and peered out. Steps led downward to a brief corridor. Beyond the corridor, a portion of the control room was visible. Ferris moved out, went down the steps and proceeded cautiously along the corridor. He put a hand to his forehead; a sudden dizziness swept through him. He leaned against the wall, rubbing his eyes. There was blood on his sleeve. He couldn't remember how long he waited there; it may have been a number of minutes. He could feel his sickness overcoming him. He was weakening. A footstep sounded, and Ferris tried to open his eyes. Then he turned to go back, but a voice stopped him. It was Siegal's. There was no use resisting. Siegal still had the drop on him. The convict led him into the control cabin, forced him into a seat. "You're a good man, Ferris," Siegal said, "but not good enough. I might be able to use you, though--more or less as a shield when I get to the Moon." Somewhat revived, Ferris looked up. His head still hurt him, but he was able to recollect his surroundings. He thought of Fuel Station 12--it would be nearing Earth now. Soon it would strike, and then Galsworth would be notified. Things would begin to happen. "Brooks reporting." Siegal swung, shouting angrily. But the youth was on him, knocking the beam gun away, pinning him against the wall of the cabin. Ferris watched dazedly, wondering where Brooks had come from. Nauseating sensations swept him again, and things went black for a moment. He heard Siegal's yells. A blow was struck, and Brooks tumbled back. Ferris pushed himself from the stool and fell over the beam gun. As Siegal bore Brooks to the floor, Ferris rolled over, brought up his arm and pulled the trigger. His aim was bad, but the beam did its work. Siegal simply went limp. For a long minute Ferris lay there, looking up at the youthful form of Brooks over him. He grinned. "Good work, Brooks. You make a better stowaway than I do." * * * * * "This is the first time," said Galsworth, "I've ever seen bandages on you, Ferris." "I came to talk business, Galsworth. At least, you called me here for that reason, didn't you?" The company head placed a pudgy fist against his palm. "Of course. I thought you'd like to know why you were called in from 12."