Astro did not let go. His face was white with anger. McAvoy bent further
back. "Give up," demanded Astro.

"Grab him," said Tom to Roger. "Get him off Mac before he breaks his
back."

Tom and Roger jumped to Astro's side and each grabbed one of the
powerful arms encircling McAvoy. It took all their strength to break the
viselike hold the giant Venusian had on the other cadet, but slowly they
pulled the muscular arms back and McAvoy slumped to the grass.

The three victorious cadets paused and looked down at the beaten
_Capella_ crew, then looked at each other.

"Well," sighed Roger, "I suppose that the least we can do now is get
them back to their dorm."

Tom and Astro nodded. As the three boys started forward they were
stopped by a voice behind them--a voice that roared like an atomic
blast.

"_Stand to!_"

Whirling around in surprise for the second time within a space of ten
minutes, Tom, Astro, and Roger saw a menacing sight standing behind
them, his balled fists jammed on his hips, his booted legs widespread,
and his massive head thrust forward. It was Major Lou Connel, more
familiarly known as "Blast-off" Connel, a Senior Line Officer of the
Solar Guard and the sternest disciplinarian in the whole Academy. Behind
him stood a short, thin man, whom none of the boys recognized.