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rning the earth and burying the hot surface stuff. Water trucks sprayed, and thin steam arose.
But also an exit-port opened and Joe stood in the opening.
Then Sally began to run again.
* * * * *
Joe sat at dinner in the major's quarters. Major Holt was there, and Joe's father, and Sally.
"It feels good," said Joe warmly, "to use a knife and fork again, and to pick food up from a plate where it stays until it's picked up!"
"The crew of the Platform----" Major Holt began.
"They're all right," said Joe, with his mouth full. "They're wearing gravity simulator harness. Brent's got his up to three-quarters gravity. They get tired, wearing the harness. They sleep better. Everything's fine! They can handle the space wagons we left and they've got guided missiles to spare! They're all right!"
Joe's father said unsteadily, "You'll stay on Earth a while now, son?"
Sally moved quickly. She looked up, tense. But Joe said, "They're going to get the Moonship up, sir. We came back--my gang and me--to help train the crew. We only have a week to do it in, but we've got some combat tactics to show them on the training gadget in the Shed." He added anxiously, "And, sir--they'll have to take the Moonship off in a spiral orbit. She can't go straight up! That means she's got to pass over enemy territory, and--we've got to have a real escort for her. A fighting escort. It's planned for the space tug to take off a few minutes after the Moonship and blast along underneath. We'll dump guided missiles out--like drones--and if anything comes along we can start their rockets and fight our way through. And we four have had more experience than anybody else. We're needed!"
"You've done enough, surely!" Sally cried.
"The United States," said Joe awkwardly, "is going to take over the Moon. I--can't miss having a hand in that! Not if it's at all possible!"
"I