CHAPTER IV“This is Colonel Keifer calling warp-ship seven. Come in please.”
“Warp seven, sir?”
“Captain Haddix?”
“A moment, sir.”
Keifer waited impatiently, then saw Haddix’s gaunt face on the viewscreen. “Where are you now, Haddix?”
“Starting out along the warp-route, sir. Has there been a change in plans?”
“Yes. I want you to return tonight, Captain Haddix. Without Alan Tremaine.”
“But I thought—”
“Don’t. We still need Tremaine’s name, but the boy is suspicious. No one has to know he has been killed. This is one case where we want the name but not the game. You understand?”
“Yes, sir.”
“One more thing, Captain. How would you like to attain your majority?”
“Yes, sir!” Haddix beamed.
“Good. Return tonight without Tremaine and you’ll be promoted. Good luck, Captain.”
* * * *
A
