"Carey Rockwell - Tom Corbett Space Cadet 08 - The Robot Rocket" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rockwell Carey)

"So?" asked Tom suspiciously.
"His Earthworm cadets are loaded with demerits," Roger continued. "So I lent Tony my
tables and he lent me his cadets. We can sit around this afternoon while they do our work for
us."
"And what is all this going to cost us?" asked the burly Venusian.
"Wait a minute, Astro." Tom stepped between the two cadets. "I don't think that's right,
Roger. This is our party for Captain Strong."
"I know it. So what?" demanded Roger.
"I don't think it's right to have someone else come in and do all the work."
"I agree," Astro added. "This is a surprise party to celebrate Captain Strong's fifteenth
anniversary in the Solar Guard. We're throwing it because we like him. He means something
special to us. So we should be happy to set it up all by ourselves."
"Now wait a minute!" exclaimed Roger. "I like Captain Strong as much as you do-but
this is work!"
Tom suppressed a smile. He knew full well his unit mate's reluctance to do anything that
involved physical exertion.
"If you don't want to help," he said, winking at Astro, "you don't have to."
"I didn't say I wouldn't help," Roger protested. "I just thought you guys would appreciate
what I was doing for you. After all, you reap the benefits too."
"Thanks, Roger," said Tom dryly. "But I'll just go ahead as we planned."
"But I already lent Tony the book of tables!" Roger wailed.
"That's too bad, Manning." Astro laughed. "I feel sorry for you. I really do. I could almost
fall down on my little hands and knees and cry."
At that moment three boys in the green uniforms of the first-year cadets appeared at the
far end of the hall and marched with precision toward Tom, Roger, and Astro.
"Here come the Earthworms now," whispered Tom. "Better send them back, Roger."
"Not before I have some fun with them," replied the blond-haired cadet. "I'm going to get
something out of this deal!"
"Nothing doing, Roger," said Tom, taking him by the shoulder and turning him away.
"The Capella unit gives them enough rocket wash without you putting in your two cents."
"Yeah, come on, Roger. We have work to do," said Astro, grasping his unit mate by the
front of his tunic. As easily as if he were lifting a bag of feathers, he hoisted Roger into the
air and swung him into their dormitory room.
The three cadets came to a stop before Tom and snapped to attention. "Earthworms
Monte, Coffin, and Mooney of the Capella unit reporting to Cadet Corbett as ordered, sir."
"At ease," Tom replied. "Take off. Roger decided he wouldn't need you after all."
"You mean it, Tom?" asked Monte incredulously. "You're not kidding us, are you?"
Tom shook his head. "No, this is official. Take off with Roger's blessings."
Without another word, the three Earthworms turned and raced down the corridor. Tom
grinned and slowly stepped toward the dormitory room. He was greeted by the sound of
Roger's outraged protests.
"Lemme go! Put me down, you excuse for humanity!"
Tom sighed and shook his head. Separating Astro and Roger in their endless quarrels
had irritated him in the beginning of their association. But through the long months of their
school life, he had become resigned to it and now accepted it with a weary indifference.
When he entered the room, he was not surprised to find Roger on top of the lockers, a good
ten feet off the floor. Astro stood below him, legs apart, hands on hips, grinning triumphantly.
"Take him down, Astro," Tom said with a sigh. "We've got work to do."
Obediently Astro reached up and hauled Roger down, setting him on his feet easily.
Roger spun around angrily, ready to resume the fight, but Tom stepped in front of him