The scientists explain that they have built an electronic brain large and complicated enough to store and utilize all the advanced knowledge of the nine planets. The brain exists as a man-made asteroid floating in space. After stopping the criminals and destroying the satellite, Tommy Tomorrow and Lon Vurian are promoted to the rank of Captain.; Lt. Tommy Tomorrow and Lt. Lon Vurian arrive at the Planeteer Headquarters on Venus and receive their first assignments, convoy duty with the fermite skows running between Pluto and the inner planets. While in space, they stumble upon the activities of alien criminals. Soon, they locate scientists who have been disappearing for months, but before they can act they are themselves captured.; Aliens have kidnapped more than 50 of the solar system's most brilliant scientists and have used a mind-control ray to force them to reveal their secrets. Lt. Tommy Tomorrow fakes falling under their control, then frees the scientists and chases away the criminals. The scientists warn Lt. Tomorrow and Lt. Vurian that the criminals are now in possession of a machine that is the gravest threat ever created.