hook-upabruptly ended. On the scope Bill and Jones watched the image of the_Pluton_ begin to move across the scope and finally out of range inthe 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 usconfined us on air bottles in the forward compartments."
Bill shook his hand warmly. "We got enough air for all of us. After wepatch things up here, let's start carving us a chunk of privateenterprise."
Tom's tired eyes lighted up. "Hm, say, you're so right! Our geigershave found enough floating ore in Beta Quadrant already to make a bignick in Asteroid's business."
Bill gave him a mock salute, "Okay, skipper. You've earned the titleof Head Dreamer, and I'll help make your dreams come true!"
THE END
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The Black Tide Page 4