Free Bolts by Alexander Key Page B

the FBI. I want to get rid of the prisoner as soon as we land, and then load on supplies and equipment. Let’s get going!”
    â€œOn the double!” cackled Pirate. “We’ve got a date with an asteroid!”
    Bolts wondered what an asteroid was, but he didn’t like to ask and expose the awful extent of his ignorance, especially in front of a smart bird like Pirate. Having a trimmed brain put him in a spot—for they had sure trimmed off a lot of extra knowledge a dog could use now. The thing to do, he figured, was to be real diplomatic and kind of hint around for answers.
    But before he could get worked up to any diplomacy—except to tell Pirate what a handsome bird critter he was—the fastmoving Space Jumper had zipped back to Battleship Lane, and for the next half hour everything was confusion. There was a big to-do over the capture of the celebrated Major Mangler, and at the last minute, just as the guards were carrying him away, a swarm of reporters came rushing to the door.
    â€œNo time for interviews now,” snapped the commander, very harassed. “We’ve a date in space, and it can’t wait.”
    â€œBut we heard Mangler was captured by a dog, single-handed!” a reporter burst out. “That’s top news! What kind of dog is he? If we could see him—”
    â€œYou can see him later—if you can stand to listen to him. His speech is disgraceful.”
    The commander slammed the door and locked it, and ran puffing for the Space Jumper, which Big Butch and Bingo, with Bolts helping, had just finished loading.
    â€œAll aboard!” cackled Pirate. “Stow the gear later! We’re off to catch a renegade!”
    Bolts didn’t at all care for the sound of that word. As soon as the hatches were secured, and the Space Jumper was on its way again, he looked worriedly at the commander and asked, “What kind of a space varmint is this I gotta tangle with? A renegade asteroid?”
    â€œExactly,” said the commander. “But don’t ask me about it now. I’ve never been so exhausted. What a day! But thank heaven we’re off! Bingo, we’re hours late—you’ll have to make up for it by using full zip speed.”
    â€œB-but, Pops,” Bingo protested. “I can’t stand that—and neither can you!”
    â€œNonsense. Put us on course, take an anti-addle pill and stay in your bunk while Butch handles the buttons. If we miss that thing while it’s still in orbit, we’ll be days getting home and the food will be gone—and where will I be?”
    â€œI’d hate to guess,” mumbled Bingo. “It would sure be a calamity.”
    Commander Brown sank with a long sigh upon his bunk, swallowed an anti-addle pill, and went instantly to sleep. Presently, with the Space Jumper on course and zipping so fast that outlines were getting fuzzy, Bingo took a pill and curled up on the other bunk. Big Butch, at the button panel, pressed the last zip button, and suddenly everything faded completely.
    Bolts skipped three ticks and almost stopped ticking. “Oh-h-h, w-woe is me!” he cried. “W-w-where am I?”
    â€œHa! Ha! Ha! Ha!” cackled Pirate. “He’s lost himself!”
    â€œShaddup!” growled Big Butch. “We all lose ourselves at this speed. It’s downright frightful. Bolts, you’ll be able to see things in a minute—but we’ll all look ghosty till it’s time to slow down.”
    Soon Bolts was blinking around him in astonishment. He could see—but it was like having X-ray vision. He could see through everyone. It almost gave him the shakes.
    â€œUlp!” he gasped, blinking at the ghosty shape of Pirate. “I can see your heart beating!”
    â€œDidn’t know he had a heart,” said Big Butch. “He’s only a crow in disguise.”
    â€œAw, Butch,” said Bolts, thinking he’d better remain