The other man's impassive face suddenly turned into a ludicrous mask of a man burning his fingers on hot chestnuts. The two way hook-up abruptly ended. On the scope Bill and Jones watched the image of the _Pluton_ begin to move across the scope and finally out of range in the opposite direction toward Asteroid Mining's Omega Quadrant. Hours later the _Space Dragon_ made physical contact with Tom's ship. Bill was the first one through the communicating airlock. Tom, his face drawn and haggard, met him as he emerged in the ship. The rest of the crew were lying still to conserve air. "Hi, Bill. Boy, are we glad to see you. That 'meteor' they threw at us confined us on air bottles in the forward compartments." Bill shook his hand warmly. "We got enough air for all of us. After we patch things up here, let's start carving us a chunk of private enterprise." Tom's tired eyes lighted up. "Hm, say, you're so right! Our geigers have found enough floating ore in Beta Quadrant already to make a big nick in Asteroid's business." Bill gave him a mock salute, "Okay, skipper. You've earned the title of Head Dreamer, and I'll help make your dreams come true!" THE END * * * * *