CHAPTER 10

"Stop your ship and be recognized!" The rasping voice on the audioceiver was sharp. A command to be obeyed. Tom turned away from the control board and looked at Strong who was already reaching for the ship's intercom. "Full braking rocket thrust, Astro," he yelled into the microphone, "and make it quick or we'll all be blasted into protons!" Tom and the captain gripped their chairs tightly as the ship bucked against the deceleration force of the powerful braking rockets. Gradually the freighter _Dog Star_ slowed an…