But that last, at least, was almost obvious. Who else, but the man who had carried the political battle, against all odds, that Hot Rod be created? Who else but Captain Naylor Andersen could possibly have delivered this sneaking, underhanded attack against himself and his comrades? Who else, he thought, but a man so callous as to order _him_, sick as he was, as though he were a mere cadet, to leave the bridge. Major Elbertson's mind was made up as to the identity of the enemy. But he would have to proceed with care, or he would key the plan before the time was ripe. There must be no great shake-up in personnel, or undue attention from Earth to the potentials of Project Hot Rod. Perhaps the saboteur's cover-story of a magneto-ionic effect would serve his ends as well--at least until his comrades on Earth signaled that the time was ripe. Yet now that Hot Rod had proved its power, the time was ripe. It was that proof on which the plan had waited. And perhaps this very sabotage would prove to be the "incident" on which the plan hinged.... Even as he fought to clear his normally organized mind of the weariness of his body that now sapped at its strength, the call came. Chauvenseer appeared at his side, saluting smartly. "Com Officer Clark, sir, reports a message from Earth. _The_ message, sir. 'Begin Operation Ripe Peach.'" Major Elbertson pulled himself to a military stance, returning his aide's salute with complete precision. Briefly he considered gathering all his men, all the Security personnel, and storming the bridge. No, obviously the enemy was organized--an unforeseen circumstance. Obviously the captain was not alone. Obviously _his_ men included at least some of these slipstick boys--and he would command the loyalty of them all, since he was somewhat of their ilk himself. No, an officer must seek the most advantageous position from which to deliver his ultimatum. He must use Hot Rod itself to control them. If Hot Rod itself were actually sabotaged, then the plan must wait until he could have it repaired. He doubted it was hurt. The flare had thrown off all original sequences--but perhaps that was to his advantage. To Chauvenseer he snapped: "This is the detail of our immediate operation. Get four of our best men besides yourself. Have each of them come separately and unobtrusively to the south polar lock, where I will meet them. I will bring Smith with me. "Have each of the others take his assigned post for Operation Ripe Peach--but order them to take no action other than to prevent anyone on board from doing anything unusual that might be an enemy operation--until I alert them that Operation Ripe Peach is operational. "Their orders will, of course, come on our personal radios, Security Band 2Z21. "Execute!" he ended, saluting smartly. * * * * *