Chapter 1

Star voyagers
At t h e age of fifteen, Kin Zen h a d already visited more of the
galaxy a n d seen more planets t h a n most people ever w o u l d . He
k n e w he was lucky. T h e starship Voyager was in t h e t h i r d year
of its j o u r n e y to explore the outer galaxy. On board were three
t h o u s a n d , t w o h u n d r e d a n d eighty people — pilots a n d other
flight crew, scientists, robot specialists, doctors, teachers,
soldiers a n d their families.
Kin's parents were scientists. T h e p u r p o s e of the voyage was
to collect a n d s t u d y u n k n o w n life forms. One day, Kin w a n t e d
to be a scientist too.
Today Kin was excited. He h a d great n e w s to tell his best
friend Tesa. He ran d o w n a w i d e passage, taking big j u m p s in
t h e low gravity. T h e starship was as big as a small city, and
most people used anti-gravity cars to travel from one part of it
to another, b u t the cars were too slow for Kin. A l t h o u g h he was
small for his age — people often t h o u g h t he looked y o u n g e r —
he was q u i c k a n d strong. N o w he was in a h u r r y .
Kin k n e w w h e r e to find Tesa - in t h e ship's zoo. T h e y often
w e n t t h e r e to h e l p the scientists s t u d y t h e creatures t h a t t h e
Voyager h a d collected on its long j o u r n e y from their home
planet, Epsilon.
He found Tesa in front of one of t h e zoo's cages. She was
wearing t h e uniform of a Class 1 scientist a n d w o r k i n g w i t h a
computer. Tesa was fourteen a n d in Kin's science a n d history
classes. A l t h o u g h she was younger, she was taller t h a n Kin by
several centimetres. She was also the d a u g h t e r of the starship's
captain.
' W h a t ' s t h e h u r r y ? ' Tesa asked.
Kin didn't answer her q u e s t i o n . ' W h y are you wearing a
scientist's uniform?'

« 5 »
« 4 »
 Tesa l a u g h e d . 'Because I'm clever, that's why. Dastar said I
could wear one w h e n I'm helping him.'
Dastar was t h e chief scientist in charge of t h e zoo.
'Look.' Tesa p o i n t e d to a creature on t h e other side of t h e
cage's glass-like wall. 'I'm recording t h e tharmor's behaviour.'
T h e creature Tesa was s t u d y i n g was one of the latest to be
collected. Kin h a d seen a picture of an animal called an o c t o p u s
in one of his history books — Life on the Planet Earth — a n d he
t h o u g h t t h e t h a r m o r looked like one of those. The tharmor,
t h o u g h , h a d many more tentacles, w h i c h it was using to climb
a small tree. At t h e top, it broke off a large p i n k fruit w i t h one
of its tentacles. T h e y w a t c h e d as the t h a r m o r passed t h e fruit
from tentacle to tentacle until it reached its o p e n m o u t h , w h e r e
t h e fruit disappeared.
' W h a t sort of a t m o s p h e r e does it h a v e ? ' asked Kin. He
k n e w t h a t t h e wall w a s n ' t really glass. It was a force-field
t h a t s t o p p e d b o t h t h e o c t o p u s - l i k e t h a r m o r a n d its
a t m o s p h e r e from escaping. T h e force-field was one-way.
H u m a n s a n d r o b o t s c o u l d enter, b u t n o t h i n g a n d n o o n e
could escape, u n l e s s t h e y h a d a p e r s o n a l c o n t r o l l e r to create
a door, or s o m e o n e p u s h e d t h e e m e r g e n c y field-reverse
button.
'It's only t w o per cent oxygen, so don't go in or you're
dead!' Tesa replied. 'So, w h y the big h u r r y ? '
'I've got something to tell you,' Kin said.
' W h a t ? It must be i m p o r t a n t . You came in so fast.'
'I'm going,' Kin said.
'Going?'
' W i t h o n e o f t h e l a n d i n g g r o u p s . I've b e e n g i v e n
p e r m i s s i o n . W h e n we reach A l d e b a r a n 4, I'll be an o b s e r v e r
in o n e of t h e e x p l o r a t i o n teams.' T h e p l a n e t was in t h e s y s t e m
of t h e star A l d e b a r a n , eleven t h o u s a n d light years from
Epsilon. It was t h e last on Voyager's j o u r n e y before r e t u r n i n g
home.
« 6 »
'But you're not sixteen!' Only those aged sixteen or over
could join exploration teams. Younger people were not allowed
to leave t h e ship on u n e x p l o r e d planets.
' M y b i r t h d a y is in three weeks,' Kin said.
'It's not fair! Just because your mother's a team leader.'
Kin gave a big smile. It was t r u e , his m o t h e r was an
exploration team commander. But Kin h a d been training for
months.
'I'll bring you back a baby m o o n monkey,' he said. The
creature was in one of their sillier c o m p u t e r games.
Tesa gave him a p u s h . 'Stupid Kin monkey!' In t h e w e a k
gravity, it t h r e w Kin several metres b a c k w a r d s .
He picked himself up, g r i n n i n g . ' M a y b e Dastar will let you
s t u d y t h e creatures we bring back.'
'I h o p e y o u fall in a hole!' Since she was a child Tesa had
been keenly interested in alien life forms, a n d Kin's jokes made
her angry. She k n e w she w o u l d n ' t have a chance to step o n t o
an alien planet before t h e e n d of t h e voyage.
Tesa t u r n e d back to look at t h e tharmor. 'Oh, look w h a t
you've made me miss!'
T h e t h a r m o r ' s colour was c h a n g i n g . As it ate t h e p i n k fruit,
it was t u r n i n g p i n k too. There were over a h u n d r e d different
creatures in t h e zoo. Each one was k e p t u n d e r t h e same
conditions as on its o w n planet. Temperature, a t m o s p h e r e a n d
gravity w e r e all controlled. Familiar p l a n t s were g r o w n a n d
t h e correct food was m a d e in t h e Voyager's laboratories. All of
t h e creatures w e r e w a t c h e d by a t w e n t y - f o u r - h o u r robot eye,
b u t a h u m a n w a s always b e t t e r a t n o t i c i n g a n y t h i n g
important.
Tesa b e g a n r e c o r d i n g t h e t h a r m o r ' s c o l o u r c h a n g e .
Suddenly a voice came over t h e public communication system.
'This is t h e captain speaking. All crew to y o u r control
positions. Prepare for star speed exit. Begin emergency checks
now. T h i r t y minutes to A l d e b a r a n 4.'
« 7 »
 Excitement ran t h r o u g h Kin. Soon he w o u l d be s t e p p i n g
o n t o his first u n e x p l o r e d planet. He s u d d e n l y felt n e r v o u s .
W h a t w o u l d t h e y find there?
There was life on A l d e b a r a n 4. T h e ship's detectors had
discovered it - t h a t was the reason t h e y h a d come. But w o u l d
it be dangerous? W o u l d t h e y even recognise it? On other
planets, t h e y h a d c a u g h t some strange creatures. It was almost
impossible to believe h o w strange some of t h e m were - t h i n g s
from t h e b o t t o m of acid seas; t h i n g s that floated h i g h above
planets of gas; t h i n g s from planets w i t h t e m p e r a t u r e s so low
t h a t a h u m a n w o u l d immediately freeze to death. Yet t h e ship's
scientists h a d been able to re-create their e n v i r o n m e n t s .
T h e p u r p o s e in collecting t h e m was simple. Scientists on
Epsilon w a n t e d to u n d e r s t a n d h o w creatures could live in
e n v i r o n m e n t s that were hostile to h u m a n s . T h o u s a n d s of years
ago, t h e planet Earth h a d been t h e birthplace of t h e h u m a n
race. It had been green a n d beautiful w i t h a sky you could see
t h r o u g h clearly, as if t h r o u g h glass. But four centuries ago, t h e
e n v i r o n m e n t h a d been destroyed. A n d people had h a d to travel
to t h e stars to find a n e w home. T h e y h a d found Epsilon. But
Epsilon was small, a n d its star was dying. T h e y n e e d e d to be
able to live on other planets.
Kin w a n t e d to help gain that i m p o r t a n t k n o w l e d g e .
He took Tesa's h a n d . 'Come on! There's a planet waiting.'
« 8 »
Chapter 2
The mysterious planet
Aldebaran was a K-type giant star. The planet t h e y had come to
explore, Aldebaran 4, was t w o and a q u a r t e r billion kilometres
from it - more t h a n ten times t h e distance of Earth from its sun.
Aldebaran 4 floated in space, a grey a n d red mystery.
Kin a n d Tesa looked at it t h r o u g h t h e e n o r m o u s w i n d o w in
Voyager's Hall of Scientists. There were dozens of others
w a t c h i n g : children w h o h a d been excused from their classes
d u r i n g t h e exit from star speed, scientists w h o were off duty.
A few people sat u n h a p p i l y - t h e change to a n d from star
speed made m a n y people sick. Others were lost in w o n d e r ,
staring at t h e n e w planet.
T t h i n k it looks scary,' Tesa said. T don't like it.'
'Don't like it?' Kin said. ' W h y n o t ? '
'It's...it's as if I can hear the planet speaking to me.'
'Don't be silly,' Kin replied. 'You've j u s t got a bit of space
sickness. I told you to take medicine for it. You never do.'
It was j u s t like Tesa. Sometimes he t h o u g h t she was spoiled.
On t h e other h a n d , she was t h e one among their friends w h o
was always ready for a d v e n t u r e .
T h r o u g h the w i n d o w , A l d e b a r a n 4 grew larger as t h e
Voyager moved closer. Soon t h e planet filled t h e w i n d o w - a
giant ball h i d d e n b e n e a t h thick clouds that shone w i t h a fiery
red from below t h e clouds.
'I w o n d e r what's d o w n there,' Tesa said as t h e ship moved
into orbit a r o u n d the planet.
The Voyager's i n s t r u m e n t s w o u l d be recording e v e r y t h i n g
about the n e w world. Everyone on the ship h o p e d that
intelligent life w o u l d be found. It wasn't their main p u r p o s e ,
b u t in all of their j o u r n e y s t h e y h a d discovered n o t h i n g more
advanced t h a n the insect-like vilclas on Bellatrix's s e v e n t h
« 9 »
 planet. T h e vilclas used tools a n d could communicate using
chemical smells a n d m o v e m e n t s of t h e i r legs, b u t t h e i r
intelligence was limited. All t h a t interested t h e m was digging
and food. It seemed as if h u m a n s were meant to be alone in t h e
universe, t h e only creatures of advanced intelligence.
Voyager's detectors h a d found life on A l d e b a r a n 4, b u t t h a t
was all t h e y knew. On most planets, 'life' meant only t h e lowest
living forms. Even a creature as advanced as t h e t h a r m o r was
unusual.
The Voyager d r o p p e d t o w a r d s t h e clouds. Like smoke, t h e
clouds boiled u p w a r d s , full of s h a d o w s a n d s u d d e n lightning.
Suddenly the Voyager broke t h r o u g h to a view of a world like
n o t h i n g t h e y h a d seen before. Fire e x p l o d e d u p w a r d s from
e n o r m o u s craters, a n d rivers of red flowed across a rocky
landscape. There were high m o u n t a i n s . A r o u n d t h e m , on the
flatter land, were forests of black, yellow a n d b r o w n trees. At
least, Kin imagined t h e y were trees. As the Voyager d r o p p e d
closer, the forest looked more like a nest of snakes w i t h
branches that moved as if t h e y had separate lives of their o w n .
'Do you still w a n t to go?' Tesa asked him.
Before Kin could answer, his p e r s o n a l c o m m u n i c a t o r
s o u n d e d a q u i c k 'Message received'. He took it out. The
message on t h e screen was from Commander Zen, his mother.
She was t h e leader of his exploration team.
Team One to ready room now, the message read. Where are
you, Kin?
Kin took a deep breath. He felt a little of Tesa's fear. Outside
t h e window, the b r a n c h e s of t h e forest, not far below them,
looked like the arms of a waving monster.
Quickly, he sent a reply message: I'm on my way.

The team welcomed him. W h e n Kin j o i n e d t h e m , t h e y were

p u t t i n g on their exploration suits. A crew specialist helped Kin
p u t his on.

« 10 » « 11 »
 'It's y o u r first exploration, Cadet Kin Zen. H o w do you feel?'
T h e question came from his mother. She was a small w o m a n ,
b u t in h e r silver suit she looked every bit a commander. There
was a smile in her eyes.
'I'm ready to go,' Kin answered.
'Good. Just remember y o u r training a n d you'll be fine.'
'Yes, Commander,' Kin replied.
Kin w o u l d be responsible for one of the team's holographic
recorders. As t h e commander's son, Kin k n e w that people
w o u l d be w a t c h i n g him - a n d he was d e t e r m i n e d to make her
proud.
Commander Zen t u r n e d to t h e others. 'Let's go, team.'
The doors of the starship opened. As the anti-gravity
exploration vehicles flew out, Kin held t h e safety rail of his
team's vehicle, Explorer One. The Voyager's detectors h a d
r e p o r t e d signs of life t h a t was more advanced t h a n simple
plants. T h e y were keen to find it.
There w e r e six explorer vehicles, each t a k i n g a different
direction. Explorer One was going t o w a r d s t h e m o u n t a i n s .
T h e explorer's force-field was d o w n a n d as Kin stared out at
t h e landscape of A l d e b a r a n 4, he felt n e r v o u s . It was one of t h e
scariest landscapes he had ever seen. Between t h e m a n d t h e
m o u n t a i n s , t h e b r a n c h e s of t h e forest waved wildly, as if t h e
trees could sense t h e m . T h e clouds above t h e m were red. The
vehicle was o p e n to the air, w h i c h was heavy a n d hot. Ash fell
like light rain.
'It r e m i n d s me of pictures of Hell,' said M a x x o n , the pilot
of t h e explorer, t h r o u g h his helmet radio. He was a big m a n
w i t h an easy smile. A long time ago people on Earth believed
in a place called Hell. Perhaps this was it.'
There were seven people in t h e team, w i t h four robots. The
robots were of t w o k i n d s - t w o heavy battle robots, a n d t w o
tester robots w i t h many arms designed for exploring a n d doing
« 12 »
scientific tests on the e n v i r o n m e n t . T h e robots were t h e size of
an adult, b u t t h e y weren't designed to look h u m a n . T h e y had
no faces, only cold black camera eyes.
A scientist named Elaath called out t h e a t m o s p h e r e readings
from t h e i n s t r u m e n t s . T h e o x y g e n percentage was high. Kin's
mother took off her helmet.
'It seems okay to breathe,' she said as falling ash t o u c h e d
her hair. 'It smells horrible, t h o u g h . Everyone keep y o u r
helmets on.'
Kin was glad he was breathing o x y g e n inside his helmet.
After a while, Commander Zen p u t her helmet back on. 'It
makes y o u r head ache,' she said.
M a x x o n was t a k i n g t h e explorer h i g h e r to fly above t h e
trees. As t h e vehicle rose on its anti-gravity rays, Kin looked
d o w n . A h u n d r e d a n d fifty metres below, t h e forest waved
violently, as if in a storm. The b r a n c h e s appeared to be
reaching up t o w a r d s t h e m . Later teams w o u l d s t u d y t h e m in
more detail. For now, Kin p o i n t e d his recorder d o w n to get the
first holographic pictures of t h e forest. T h r o u g h the viewer, he
saw mouth-like o p e n i n g s at t h e e n d s of t h e branches. As he
looked, he saw a flying t h i n g - something like a snake w i t h
w i n g s - c a u g h t by one of the m o u t h s .
'I h o p e we don't fall d o w n there,' he said.
C o m m a n d e r Zen was s t u d y i n g t h e i n s t r u m e n t s . ' T h e
advanced life signal is coming from t h e south-east.'
M a x x o n changed to t h a t direction.
Kin w o n d e r e d w h a t k i n d of creature the detectors h a d
discovered. The readings showed t h a t it was more advanced
t h a n t h e flying t h i n g below. A n d yet t h e e n v i r o n m e n t seemed
so hostile. E v e r y w h e r e t h a t wasn't covered in ash from the
craters, t h e forest appeared to spread its h u n g r y arms. T h e y
could learn a lot from w h a t e v e r it was t h a t lived here.
A s h a d o w fell over the explorer from the n o r t h . Kin looked
U
P - A dark cloud was coming d o w n towards them, c h a n g i n g
« 13 »
s h a p e as it moved. As it came closer, K i n saw t h a t t h e cloud was
really t h o u s a n d s of separate c r e a t u r e s , flying together. Like
jellyfish of t h e sky, Kin t h o u g h t .
Quickly, Kin's m o t h e r p u s h e d a b u t t o n a n d the explorer's
force-field j u m p e d into place.
Kin held his breath as t h e l i v i n g cloud spread over t h e
vehicle. T h e creatures' bodies f l a t t e n e d against the field,
b l o c k i n g out t h e light. M a x x o n s w o r e , fighting t o control t h e
explorer.
They are trying to find a way in! K i n t h o u g h t .
« 14 »
Chapter 3
Into the mountains
Kin was scared, b u t he h a d a j o b to do. He wasn't going to show
he was afraid - not on this first t r i p . Controlling his fear, he
aimed t h e recorder at t h e creatures.
His fear wasn't necessary, t h o u g h . His m o t h e r t u r n e d a
control to increase t h e energy of the force-field. T h e s u d d e n
kick of energy t h r e w t h e creatures aside. Kin w a t c h e d as t h e
cloud broke apart. A n u m b e r of creatures fell. As t h e y d r o p p e d
out of t h e sky, t h e h u n g r y m o u t h s of the forest c a u g h t t h e m .
The b r a n c h e s seemed to fight among themselves for t h e
u n e x p e c t e d food. Kin k e p t recording a l t h o u g h he felt sick at
t h e sight.
T h e n M a x x o n shouted, 'There's a track!'
He was p o i n t i n g t o w a r d s the m o u n t a i n s . The explorer was
getting close to them. Beyond t h e edge of t h e forest a n d in
front of t h e first cliffs was an area of ash several h u n d r e d
metres w i d e . A d e e p mark looked as if it h a d been p l o u g h e d
across it.
' W h a t caused t h a t ? ' said Utagao, t h e chief scientist on the
team.
'I've no idea,' Commander Zen said. 'Let's find out.' She
ordered M a x x o n to fly closer.
M a x x o n g u i d e d the explorer d o w n until it was a few metres
above t h e ash. T h e ash looked deep. T h e t o p few centimetres
were light a n d feathery a n d blew away u n d e r t h e explorer's
anti-gravity rays. Below, it looked as h a r d as rock.
T h e m a r k was like a d e e p d i t c h d u g into t h e ash. A b o u t
five times w i d e r t h a n t h e explorer, it ran s t r a i g h t t o w a r d s a
crater.
'That doesn't look as if it was made by nature,' Utagao said.
'We've seen stranger t h i n g s before,' Commander Zen said.
« 15 »
 'Perhaps it was caused by a n a t u r a l fault below t h e a s h / Kin
suggested.
'That's p o s s i b l e / said Utagao.
There were smaller m a r k s all a r o u n d , as if something h a d
been dragged t h r o u g h t h e ash. T h e tracks - if t h e y were tracks
- w a n d e r e d about. Some led t o w a r d s t h e forest, a n d others led
towards t h e m o u n t a i n s .
' W h i c h way shall we go?' M a x x o n asked.
'It's no good going that w a y / said Commander Zen, p o i n t i n g
back to t h e forest.
M a x x o n t u r n e d the explorer to follow t h e tracks leading to
t h e m o u n t a i n s . The detectors were p o i n t i n g in the same
direction.
High cliffs rose on either side as they entered a narrow valley.
Broken rocks lay everywhere and M a x x o n piloted the explorer
slowly. A short distance into the valley, they discovered a big
cave that disappeared into the cliff like a giant m o u t h waiting for
them. In front of the cave, the ground had been badly disturbed,
and there were lumps of something smooth a n d white among the
rocks. The tracks they were following led into the cave. M a x x o n
stopped the explorer about fifty metres from it.
Commander Zen sent t w o of t h e robots to explore first, in
case there was danger. M a x x o n t u r n e d off t h e force-field
a r o u n d t h e explorer a n d t h e robots d r o p p e d d o w n into the ash.
It came part-way up their shiny legs.
T h e lead robot was a battle robot. It h a d t h r e e legs for
balance a n d a specially h a r d e n e d shell t h a t could defend
against almost a n y t h i n g . T h e second robot was a tester - more
lightly built, w i t h various scientific i n s t r u m e n t s attached to its
arms. T h e robots moved slowly forwards. T h e tester reached
out to examine one of the w h i t e lumps. It was sticky and it fell
apart as the robot picked it u p . It looked like one of the flying
creatures, covered in w h i t e slime.
« 16 »
In a flat voice, the tester robot reported, 'No life. Body parts
missing. Inside empty.' It continued reading out the chemical
make-up of t h e t h i n g .
Commander Zen looked a r o u n d . 'Something's been feeding
here.'
'Well, we k n o w one thing,' the scientist Utagao said. 'If it's
our creature, it's not likely to be of h i g h intelligence. We've
seen no sign to suggest any civilisation.'
'We k n o w something else too,' M a x x o n said.
'Oh? W h a t ' s t h a t ? ' Utagao asked. M a x x o n wasn't a scientist,
only a pilot.
'It hasn't got any table manners.'
They all l a u g h e d .
'Okay, everyone,' Commander Zen said. 'Let's explore.
Advance team w i t h me. S u p p o r t team stay w i t h t h e vehicle —
that means you, Kin.'
The advance team, Commander Zen, Utagao a n d an alien
biology specialist, Hizred, climbed d o w n the explorer's ladder
to the g r o u n d . The t w o robots w e n t ahead. Kin w a t c h e d t h e m
enter the cave. Remaining on board w i t h h i m w e r e M a x x o n ,
Elaath a n d a n o t h e r scientist, Vorchel.
Kin k n e w t h a t if he h a d been an adult, he w o u l d have been
w i t h the advance team. T h a t was the usual place for an
observer. But he also k n e w t h a t a cadet's j o b was to follow
orders.
On the other h a n d , his m o t h e r h a d n ' t said to stay in t h e
vehicle.
M a x x o n was b u s y at the controls. Vorchel a n d Elaath were
w o r k i n g on t h e detectors. Kin checked his recorder, t h e n lifted
it onto his shoulder a n d climbed d o w n t h e ladder. Ash rose up
like smoke as he landed in it, sticking to his suit.
A r m s t r
f i r ° n g , he t h o u g h t . One small step for a man. The
irs person to step on the Earth's m o o n was still famous after
centuries.
« 17 »
 The advance team had disappeared into the cave. Kin could
hear their voices over his helmet radio. He listened as t h e
scientists' voices were answered by t h e replies of t h e robots.
Suddenly, excited cries came from his radio. He heard a s h a r p
command from his mother. T h e n there was a scream.
'Kin! Get back on the explorer!' M a x x o n s h o u t e d to him.
But Kin couldn't move. He felt as if his feet were fixed to t h e
spot. He w a t c h e d as Hizred ran out of the cave. Utagao
followed, t h e n Commander Zen. Their movements were slowed
by their exploration suits. C o m m a n d e r Zen was looking b e h i n d
her as she ran. She was shooting her laser g u n back into the
cave.
Then Kin felt his blood go cold. Something else was coming
out of the darkness.

« 18 » « 19 »
 Chapter 4
The creature
T h e t h i n g t h a t came out of t h e cave was about one a n d a half
times taller t h a n a h u m a n . It r e m i n d e d Kin of creatures from
t h e b o t t o m of t h e sea that sat on rocks. But it moved easily,
seeming to flow over t h e g r o u n d . Six tentacles grew from its
u p p e r body. The tentacles reached out after t h e advance team.
T h e creature's head was j u s t a l u m p w i t h a single eye a n d
no m o u t h . A b o v e the eye, in t h e centre of its forehead, was a
s h o r t s m o o t h t e n t a c l e , m o r e like a p l a n t . It e n d e d
in a c u p , circled by t h i n feelers. Below t h e creature's
eye, a row of small holes o p e n e d a n d shut, like a fish breathing.
Ash covered most of the thing's body, sticking to it. T h e
parts t h a t weren't covered w i t h ash shone w i t h a w h i t e slime.
In one of its long tentacles, the t h i n g dragged a broken robot.
The robot's shell was smashed a n d its head was missing.
' H u r r y ! E v e r y o n e i n t o t h e explorer.' C o m m a n d e r Zen
s h o u t e d as she fired her laser g u n again. T h e laser seemed to
have no effect on t h e creature.
N o w Kin moved. He q u i c k l y climbed t h e ladder, reaching
u p w a r d s to pass t h e recorder to Vorchel. As t h e scientist took
the recorder, Kin t u r n e d to look back at t h e escaping team.
His m o t h e r a n d Hizred were halfway to t h e explorer. Utagao
was older a n d slower t h a n t h e other t w o . As Kin w a t c h e d ,
Utagao fell over on t h e rocky g r o u n d . Before he could get up
again, t h e creature reached him, c a u g h t him w i t h a long
tentacle, and lifted him up.
'Help me!' Utagao's voice came over Kin's helmet radio.
Kin w a t c h e d in h o r r o r as the creature b r o u g h t the scientist
close to its face. T h e n the cup of its short tentacle fastened o n t o
Utagao's helmet, feelers spreading over t h e helmet's plastic
front. Kin s u d d e n l y remembered the tester robot's description
« 20 »
of the flying creature - its insides were empty, as if t h e y had
been sucked out. T h e s o u n d of b r e a k i n g plastic came over t h e
radio, followed by Utagao's scream.
'Look out, everyone!' M a x x o n drove t h e explorer past
Commander Zen a n d Hizred, a n d straight at t h e creature.
Just before the vehicle hit t h e creature, Kin d r o p p e d from
the ladder, landed in the ash a n d rolled away. T h e creature gave
a strange cry as t h e explorer hit it. It d r o p p e d Utagao, b u t its
tentacles reached u p w a r d s for t h e explorer instead.
Commander Zen t u r n e d back and h u r r i e d t o w a r d s Utagao.
Kin ran to h e l p her. Together t h e y pulled Utagao away from the
creature a n d b e h i n d a large rock. The face of Utagao's helmet
was smashed.
'It destroyed the robots,' Commander Zen said. ' N o t h i n g
seems to h u r t it.'
The creature n o w had a firm hold on the explorer and was
shaking it violently, trying to pull it to the g r o u n d . M a x x o n
fought to hold onto the controls. Meanwhile, Hizred was
shooting at the creature, but this only seemed to make it angrier.
Suddenly the creature let t h e vehicle go. T h e explorer rose
q u i c k l y a n d hit t h e side of t h e cliff. M a x x o n was k n o c k e d from
t h e controls a n d t h e n t h e explorer dived t o w a r d s t h e g r o u n d .
T h e t w o scientists on board j u m p e d to safety, b u t M a x x o n was
still in the vehicle as it p l o u g h e d into the ash w i t h a terrible
noise. A cloud of ash was t h r o w n u p .
In the silence that followed, t h e ash fell lightly a r o u n d them.
M a x x o n lay in a corner of the explorer's deck, not moving.
The creature looked about, as if it was u n c e r t a i n . Kin could
hear the strangely soft s o u n d of its breathing. T h e others in t h e
team had each r u n in a different direction. Behind their rock,
Kin, his m o t h e r a n d Utagao were nearest to the creature.
'Keep still,' Commander Zen whispered to Kin through the radio.
Kin t h o u g h t his o w n breathing was too loud, a n d that the
creature w o u l d surely hear t h e m . T h e n Utagao gave a groan.
« 21 »
 'Sh!' Commander Zen said.
Utagao d i d n ' t hear. T h r o u g h t h e b r o k e n plastic of his I
helmet, Kin saw t h e scientist's face. His eyes were filled w i t h a
look of horror.
T h e n t h e creature t u r n e d back t o the explorer a n d M a x x o n .
It started t o w a r d s the pilot.
'No!' Kin s h o u t e d .
Before he k n e w w h a t he was doing, Kin ran out in front of I
the creature. Waving his arms, he s h o u t e d at it, 'Here! Over
here! Look this way!'
The creature s t o p p e d a n d looked at him.
'Kin! W h a t are you doing? Get away!' Zen's voice r a n g in his i
ear. It was a mother's voice, not a commander's.
Kin h a d no time to explain. An idea h a d flashed into his |
brain. Quickly, he r a n t o w a r d s t h e explorer. He was about t h e
same distance from it as the creature was. He j u s t p r a y e d that
he could get there faster. He also prayed t h a t t h e explorer's I
controls weren't damaged.
C l i m b i n g over t h e vehicle's g u a r d rail, Kin r e a c h e d
Maxxon's side. T h e pilot h a d not moved. As Kin t o u c h e d him,
a s h a d o w fell across t h e deck. T h e creature! Kin d i v e d for t h e
force-field control a n d hit t h e b u t t o n . He felt the k i c k as t h e
field j u m p e d into place. T h e creature's tentacles hit t h e u n s e e n
force-field, t h e n h a m m e r e d angrily at it, t r y i n g to break
t h r o u g h . T h e creature's eye was fixed on Kin, staring so h a r d at
him t h a t he felt it w a n t e d to steal his brain.
There was blood on t h e inside of M a x x o n ' s helmet. Kin
gently took t h e helmet off. T h e pilot stared back at him w i t h
u n s e e i n g eyes. M a x x o n was dead.
Kin looked up at t h e creature. T h e cup at t h e e n d of its short
tentacle was spread against t h e force-field. In t h e centre,
ringed by its feelers, was an o p e n i n g like a sucker.
You evil thing! I hate you, Kin t h o u g h t .
« 22 »
Chapter 5
Danger comes on board
C o m m a n d e r Zen called t h e Voyager for h e l p . T w o teams came
quickly. Using a force-field to create a cage, t h e t e a m s ' r o b o t s
drove t h e c r e a t u r e b a c k against t h e cliff a n d c a u g h t it. T h e
creature beat its t e n t a c l e s c o n t i n u o u s l y against t h e sides of
its u n s e e n cage, b u t it was helpless. A t r a n s p o r t e r a r r i v e d
a n d t h e c r e a t u r e was lifted a b o a r d a n d flown b a c k t o t h e
Voyager.
Utagao was t h e first of t h e team to be taken back to t h e
Voyager, to get him quickly to the hospital. The scientist's m i n d
seemed to be gone. He was waving his arms a n d m a k i n g noises
like a scared baby. A team doctor gave him something to make
him sleep.
To stop himself t h i n k i n g about it, Kin k e p t himself b u s y He
found the recorder a n d began recording the t h i n g s t h a t were
h a p p e n i n g . The worst m o m e n t was w a t c h i n g M a x x o n ' s b o d y
being lifted out of the explorer.
Commander Zen came up b e h i n d Kin. 'You did a good j o b ,
Kin. It was a brave t h i n g that you did.'
'But it didn't help.'
She n o d d e d . 'We all liked M a x x o n . '
' W h a t will h a p p e n to t h e creature?'
'It will go into t h e zoo. T h e ship's scientists will be v e r y
interested in it. It's t h e reason we're all here.'
Kin wasn't sure that finding t h e n e w creature was w o r t h it.
He wished he could go away a n d cry. But he couldn't. He
w o u l d save his tears for w h e n he was alone.
After they r e t u r n e d to t h e Voyager, it took more t h a n an h o u r
for t h e teams to go t h r o u g h all t h e checks. E v e r y t h i n g coming
on board from an alien planet h a d to be checked u n t i l it was
« 23 »
declared to be safe. T h e q u e s t i o n s were endless. Everyone from
scientists to r o b o t specialists to other team c o m m a n d e r s
w a n t e d t o k n o w w h a t had h a p p e n e d , i n detail.
Finally, Kin w a s free. He found Tesa in a dance class. He
d r a n k an energy d r i n k a n d w a t c h e d her t h r o u g h a w i n d o w .
H i g h - e n e r g y music s o u n d e d t h r o u g h t h e glass, as Tesa and t h e
other d a n c e r s t u r n e d a n d d i v e d i n the zero-gravity.
W h e n s h e came o u t of t h e class, she was breathing h a r d a n d
her face looked h a p p y . As soon as she saw Kin, however, her
smile t u r n e d to a l o o k of w o r r y .
'Kin! I saw t h e r e c o r d i n g y o u sent back,' she said. 'It was
horrible. Poor Kin. H o w are y o u ? '
' O k a y ' Kin tried to smile.
'Do y o u w a n t to t a l k a b o u t it?' Tesa asked.
He s h o o k his h e a d .
She t o o k his e n e r g y d r i n k a n d d r a n k some. 'Let's go to t h e
games hall a n d see if we can find some friends.'
T h e games hall w a s big, w i t h games machines a r o u n d t h e
outside a n d a sports area in t h e middle. There was a lot of noise
w i t h some team g a m e s going on. Some of their friends were]
p l a y i n g . A l l t h e n o i s e a n d m o v e m e n t m a d e Kin feel
uncomfortable. 'I d o n ' t like it here,' he said.
'You h a v e to s t o p t h i n k i n g about it,' Tesa said to him.
'I k n o w , ' Kin r e p l i e d .
In his m i n d w a s t h e m e m o r y of M a x x o n , lying on t h e
explorer's d e c k . He s a w t h e creature above them, beating w i t h
its tentacles against t h e force-field. As the picture of it entered
his mind, he s u d d e n l y felt a d e e p pain inside his head. He fell
t o the g r o u n d . T h e p a i n was like n o t h i n g h e had e x p e r i e n c e d
before.
'Kin! W h a t is it?' Tesa s h o u t e d .
He c o u l d n ' t s p e a k . Fear a n d pain were all t h a t he felt. It was
as if s o m e t h i n g else h a d also s t e p p e d into his head, something
« 24 »
far worse t h a n t h e creature. It was t h e r e for j u s t a moment.
T h e n it was gone.
Tesa held Kin, speaking to h i m softly till h e l p came.
Kin woke up in t h e hospital. He was lying in a float-bed. It was
' n i g h t ' time a n d t h e lights were t u r n e d low. A r o u n d him, he
could hear t h e noise of machines, quietly m a k i n g their regular
electronic s o u n d s .
A nurse appeared.
' W h y am I here?' Kin asked.
The nurse placed an i n s t r u m e n t on Kin's arm. It was
connected to the hospital's main c o m p u t e r a n d a robot voice
read out its immediate readings.
' E v e r y t h i n g looks fine,' t h e nurse said. 'You're lucky. T h e
others are not so good.'
' W h o ? W h a t others? W h a t h a p p e n e d ? ' Kin asked.
'I'll let a doctor talk to you.' The nurse p u t away t h e
instrument. 'Stay w h e r e you are.'
After a few m o m e n t s t h r e e doctors a p p e a r e d , coming at
t h e nurse's call. T h e leading doctor h a d his n a m e on his chest:
Aztantr. His face h a d t h e s m o o t h plastic look of someone
p a r t - h u m a n a n d p a r t - r o b o t . T h e r e w e r e several p e o p l e o n
board w i t h r o b o t r e p l a c e m e n t p a r t s . Usually, it was t h e result
of serious injury. A z t a n t r looked as if his injuries h a d b e e n
more serious t h a n most. T h e o t h e r t w o doctors w e r e fully
human.
'So, our y o u n g hero is awake,' A z t a n t r said.
'How long have I been h e r e ? ' Kin asked.
' T w e n t y - t h r e e hours.'
' T w e n t y - t h r e e hours!' Kin cried.
Please don't get excited. We decided to let you sleep.'
But...' Kin remembered t h e last flash of t h o u g h t a n d t h e
Parn that had swept t h r o u g h him, followed b y . . . n o t h i n g , j u s t
blackness. 'The nurse said there were others.'
« 25 »
 'That's correct, Kin. You are not t h e o n l y o n e . All of the
teams that came in contact w i t h t h e c r e a t u r e w e r e affected.
They're here in t h e hospital.'
All of t h e m ? But w h y ? '
'We don't k n o w . Perhaps you'll tell u s . No o n e else has
recovered.'
' M y . . . m y m o t h e r too? I mean, C o m m a n d e r Zen?'
'I'm sorry. Your father is w i t h her. But.. . t h e y ' r e all t h e same.
Like t h e scientist, Utagao.'
T have to go a n d see her!' Kin tried to c l i m b from t h e float-
bed.
'There's no point, Kin.' Aztantr laid his h a n d on Kin's arm.
'None of t h e m a p p e a r to see a n y o n e or h e a r a n y o n e . It's as if
t h e y are locked in some terrible dream a n d can't wake u p . We
need your help if we are going to find an a n s w e r . '
T don't k n o w a n y t h i n g about it!'
'We t h i n k that creature may have c a u s e d t h e i r sickness. If
it's b r o u g h t some k i n d of germ on board, t h e n t h e w h o l e ship
might be in danger.'

« 27 »
 Chapter 6
Questions from the (optoin
A z t a n t r allowed Kin to visit his m o t h e r for a s h o r t t i m e .
'We don't k n o w what's w r o n g w i t h t h e m / A z t a n t r said, a s
Kin p u t on a see-through germ protection s u i t . 'Until we do, wj
have to keep t h e m separated from other p e o p l e . '
Kin s t e p p e d into t h e hospital room w h e r e his m o t h e r wasl
There were about t w e n t y float-beds, each o f t h e m o c c u p i e d !
The people in t h e beds lay connected to m a c h i n e s . His m o t h e r !
bed was nearest to the e n t r a n c e . His father, Kov-Nuri, sa{
beside it. He also wore a germ protection s u i t .
Kov-Nuri was a Class 10 scientist, t h e h i g h e s t level o\
scientist on the ship. He was an alien b e h a v i o u r specialist!
'Hello, Kin,' he said. His voice s o u n d e d s t r a n g e t h r o u g h thi
suit. 'I came to see you earlier.'
'How's M u m ? ' Kin said.
His father didn't reply. He j u s t looked sad.
Kin stepped close to the bed. His mother's eyes w e r e oper
and rolling about wildly, b u t it was as if she d i d n ' t see a n y t h i n g !
'She talks sometimes, b u t it's j u s t n o n s e n s e / Kin's fathej
said.
' W h a t about the o t h e r s ? ' Kin n o d d e d t o w a r d s t h e otheij
beds.
'It's scary. T h e y all became ill like this at t h e same time, afteij
complaining of headaches. You were t h e only o n e different.'
Kin t o u c h e d his mother's h a n d . T h r o u g h t h e plastic glove J
he could feel her b o d y shaking.
'There's n o t h i n g yet from any tests,' his father said. ' W e j u s t
don't k n o w w h a t we're fighting.'
Captain Tesjak, Tesa's father, stood at the h e a d of t h e table ir
the Voyager's c o m m a n d room. He was a powerfully built mar
« 28 »
w i t h a robot arm, like A z t a n t r , a n d e y e s t h a t looked as if he
could stare t h r o u g h stone. A r o u n d t h e t a b l e were t h e ship's t o p
scientists and doctors, w i t h Kin a n d h i s father.
Captain Tesjak's voice s i l e n c e d t h e conversation. All right,
everybody. We k n o w t h e reason w e ' r e here. We've got a
problem. We need to solve it. From t h e m o m e n t t h a t creature
came on board, people h a v e b e e n falling sick.' He t o u c h e d his
forehead w i t h a metal finger. 'It's as if something's attacking
their brains. We have to f i n d o u t w h a t it is - a n d stop it.'
A scientist stood u p . H i s n a m e w a s Olmaz. 'Perhaps the
creature isn't the cause of it. We m i g h t have picked up some
germ on the planet.'
'No,' Captain Tesjak s a i d . 'Only t e a m s t h a t took part in
catching the creature h a v e been affected, or people w h o have
been close to it in the zoo. O t h e r e x p l o r a t i o n teams are
unaffected.' He t u r n e d to o n e of his officers, a short w o m a n in
the uniform of a g r o u p c o m m a n d e r . ' P e r h a p s you can give a
q u i c k report, Jad Ur.'
T h e w o m a n e x p l a i n e d w h a t t h e y k n e w . 'One o f t h e
strangest facts is t h a t t h e t h i n g w a s a l o n e . Our detectors are
unable to find signs of a n y o t h e r s like it. Creatures don't
inhabit planets by t h e m s e l v e s . T h e r e m u s t be more of its k i n d .
But where? It's a m y s t e r y /
'Do we k n o w anything a b o u t t h e t h i n g ? ' Olmaz asked.
'It's hostile,' Jad Ur s a i d . 'If a n y o n e goes close to it, it tries
to attack them.'
W o u l d n ' t you, if you were c a u g h t by strange creatures?'
Kin's father said.
A n d we're t h e strange c r e a t u r e s ? ' O l m a z said.
'Yes,' Kin's father r e p l i e d .
Well, t h e t h i n g d o e s n ' t seem to be c a r r y i n g any germs,' Jad
Ur said. At least, as far as o u r tests c a n tell.'
So, we have to d e c i d e w h a t to d o , ' Captain Tesjak said.
There's one ray of hope.'
« 29 »
 "What's t h a t ? ' Olmaz asked. Kin could see that Captain Tesjak didn't like this a r g u m e n t
T h e captain pointed to Kin. 'Kin s u r v i v e d . For some reason between the doctors. It was no help to him.
he's able to be sitting here now. If he could recover, p e r h a p s th The captain spoke to t h e group. 'This is the q u e s t i o n .
others will.' Voyager can't stay on A l d e b a r a n 4 any longer. We have limited
Aztantr raised his h a n d to object. 'I'm not so sure. Kii r e t u r n fuel for our j o u r n e y home. We need to leave. Do we take
wasn't affected in t h e same way,' t h e p a r t - r o b o t doctor saidj the creature w i t h us so we can s t u d y it a n d p e r h a p s learn t h e
' W h a t e v e r this is, it seems to have j u s t t o u c h e d Kin lightly. Hi cause of this? Or is t h e t h i n g too d a n g e r o u s a n d should we get
condition was never as bad as t h e o t h e r s ' . it off the ship?'
Tesjak spoke to Kin. 'Can you tell us a n y t h i n g ? ' His voic Tesjak looked a r o u n d at each person. 'The lives of our
was encouraging. friends - and p e r h a p s all of us - could d e p e n d on our answer.'
Kin stood. It was the first time he h a d been at a meeting lik
this. He looked q u i c k l y a r o u n d t h e m .
'I don't k n o w how to explain. This...this picture came into m
mind. It was like shapes moving...things I'd never seen before.'
He looked at his father, t h e n back at t h e group. 'Once, w h e
I was little, I nearly d r o w n e d . I fell off a boat and c o u l d n
swim. I got c a u g h t u n d e r t h e water. It was like that - I coul
see things, b u t not clearly. A n d I couldn't breathe. Then t h e r
was pain a n d e v e r y t h i n g w e n t black.'
' W h a t caused it?' t h e captain asked.
T don't know. I was r e m e m b e r i n g t h e creature. T h e n m
t h o u g h t s were taken over.'
After e v e r y t h i n g that h a p p e n e d , it's not surprising,' one o
the other doctors said. He was a brain specialist.
' W h a t do you m e a n ? ' Tesjak asked.
'Terrible experiences can affect people like that,' t h e brai
specialist replied. T don't t h i n k w h a t h a p p e n e d to Kin can b
any guide.'
'Even t h o u g h he took so many h o u r s to recover?'
'If t h e creature is spreading a germ or some sickness,' th
specialist replied, 'then Kin should have been worse affected
not less. A y o u n g person is not as strong as an adult.'
'I'm not sure about that,' A z t a n t r said. T t h i n k it's too earl
to say'

« 30 » « 31 »
 Chapter 7
lii the 200
The Voyager left A l d e b a r a n 4 w i t h t h e creature on board - an
a crew a n x i o u s about their future. Was t h e creature c a r r y i n
some germ t h a t t h e y h a d n ' t discovered? W o u l d t h e y find a
answer to t h e mysterious illness that h a d hit the exploratio
teams? Was there a chance t h a t it w o u l d spread?
T h e questions filled Kin's m i n d as he r o d e d o w n to t h e zo
w i t h his father. He believed t h a t the creature held the answers
A l t h o u g h t h e brain specialist had said Kin's experience wa
different from the others', he felt that the pictures he had see
in his head were connected to w h a t had h a p p e n e d . If only hi
m o t h e r could talk, she might be able to tell h i m .
But w h y wasn't he affected the way the others were?
Their anti-grav car stopped at t h e zoo's outer door. Kov-Nur
p u s h e d t h e keys to enter a n d the door o p e n e d w i t h an o u t w a r
r u s h of air. T h e y waited while the electronic detectors did t h e :
checks for t h e zoo's q u a r a n t i n e , t h e n t h e 'all-clear' s o u n d e
a n d t h e y drove t h r o u g h into the zoo.
'I'm not sure it's a wise t h i n g for you to be here,' said Kov
N u r i . 'We're keeping e v e r y b o d y away from t h e zoo, u n l e
t h e y have a good reason to be here.'
'But t h e creature's in a cage, isn't it?' said Kin.
His father n o d d e d .
Kin h a d insisted on coming. He w a n t e d to see t h e creatur
again. He h a d the idea t h a t it might help h i m u n d e r s t a n
t h i n g s better — that it might even help him find an answer t
what had happened.
'If anyone's likely to be all right near t h e creature, it's m
isn't it?' Kin said.
' M a y b e . We don't k n o w that,' said Kov-Nuri.
« 32 »
T v e been the closest - except for Utagao. All t h e others are
in the hospital.'
His father h a d to admit t h a t Kin was r i g h t .
T h e y s t o p p e d at t h e zoo's control room. Dastar was t h e r e .
'How's t h e n e w animal?' Kin's father asked him.
The zoo's chief scientist p o i n t e d to a screen. On it was a
view of the creature's cage. It was about t h e size of a sixty-
metre air-ball court. There was a sleeping place at t h e back,
which was in shadow.
'The creature is in there,' Dastar said. 'It doesn't seem to like
the light.'
T h e force-field cage contained yellow plastic ' r o c k s ' a n d
blue 'trees'. It was a m a n - m a d e e n v i r o n m e n t designed for
easier s t u d y of its inhabitants. The creature w o u l d be k e p t
there until its o w n n a t u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t was re-created.
'The p r o b l e m is we're not sure that t h e ash cave was t h e
creature's t r u e home,' Dastar said. 'Our tests suggest it comes
from somewhere else.'
' W h e r e ? ' Kin asked.
' W h o k n o w s ? Try the universe.'
Kin was astonished. 'You mean it m i g h t be from a n o t h e r
planet?'
'There's n o t h i n g else like it on A l d e b a r a n 4. We've
examined it completely, r i g h t d o w n to t h e atoms of its b o d y '
'But h o w did it get t h e r e ? ' Kin w o n d e r e d .
'That's anyone's guess,' Dastar replied.
'Can I go d o w n a n d see it?' Kin asked.
Dastar looked at Kin's father, t h e n replied to Kin, 'We're
about to begin some more tests. Kov-Nuri has designed some
n e w i n s t r u m e n t s for t h e m . He is in charge. Ask him.'
T h e creature moved deep inside t h e s h a d o w s . T h e y h a d
stopped in front of its cage and, as Kin saw it come out of t h e
s e e p i n g place, he e x p e r i e n c e d again t h e d e e p sense of
« 33 »
n e r v o u s n e s s he'd felt before — only worse now, because "I d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d . '
k n e w t h e h a r m it h a d caused. ' T h e thing's refused e v e r y k i n d of food we've p u t in front
'It's certainly ugly, isn't it?' Kin's father said. of i t . E v e n t h e special food created in t h e l a b o r a t o r y ' Kin's
Kin took a d e e p breath, seeing t h e t h i n g fully. The ash tha f a t h e r e x p l a i n e d h o w t h e y h a d copied t h e b o d y chemistry o f
h a d covered it h a d been removed using air-jets, a n d t t h e f l y i n g jellyfish creatures. 'It w o n ' t t o u c h anything.'
creature's skin shone w i t h a sticky-looking whiteness, ' T h a t means i t could die!'
looked out of place amid t h e colourful plastic ' r o c k s ' and ' Y e s , unfortunately.'
'trees'. Kin k n e w t h a t t h e atmosphere, t e m p e r a t u r e a n d gravity ' B u t . . . b u t w h a t about M u m ? To be able to h e l p her, we need
were t h e same as on A l d e b a r a n 4.
i t t o s t a y alive.'
'Do y o u t h i n k it's intelligent?' he asked. H i s father's eyes r e t u r n e d t h e fear t h a t Kin felt. 'Yes, a n d we
'Not very,' his father replied. 'It's come out now, b u t all 1 n e e d t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h it, i f w e can,' h e said.
seems to w a n t to do is h i d e - or attack. Its behaviour doesn'f K i n s t a r e d at t h e creature. Horrible as it was, t h e t h o u g h t of
seem to have any purpose.' i t d y i n g was e v e n w o r s e . T h e y n e e d e d t o find out e v e r y t h i n g
' W h a t tests do y o u plan to d o ? ' t h e y c o u l d a b o u t i t o r t h e y m i g h t never h e l p a n y o n e recover.
'We w a n t to see if there's any way of communicating w i t l
it, to see if it u n d e r s t a n d s a n y t h i n g , ' Kov-Nuri replied. 'MaybJ
it's scared.'
' W h y w o u l d it be scared?' Kin w o n d e r e d .
'Remember, we're strange to it too.'
'But it destroyed the robots that w e n t into t h e cave. Ar
lasers don't h u r t it.'
Kin's father shook his head. 'I wish I h a d answers.'
'It looks different,' Kin said.
T h e creature was coming t o w a r d s t h e front of t h e cage,
was moving more slowly t h a n before. Kin could see bur
marks on its skin from t h e lasers. T h e creature's suckir
tentacle reached out t o w a r d s t h e m , aimed straight at Kin. Pa
of one of its other tentacles was missing.
'It looks weak,' Kin said.
'Yes,' his father replied.
' W h a t h a p p e n e d to its a r m ? '
'It's eaten it.'
'Eaten it! How? W h y ? '
'Some animals do that...if t h e y are anxious.'

« 34 » « 35 »
 Chapter 8
Kin andTesa make plans
It came like an attack — a s u d d e n s t o m a c h - d r o p p i n g f e e l i n g ,
if t h e Voyager h a d fallen t h r o u g h c h a n g i n g g r a v i t y f i e l d s ,
lasted minutes, followed by a sense almost of b e i n g t u r n e l
inside-out. Kin held onto t h e rail in front of t h e c r e a t u r e ' s cage
He k n e w w h a t it was — t h e Voyager's j u m p i n t o s t a r s p e e d
b u t he h a d n e v e r felt it as strongly, n o r t h e h e a d a c h e tha
followed in waves.
Dastar's apology came over t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s y s t e m . T h l
captain's star-jump w a r n i n g h a d n ' t come t h r o u g h t o t h e zol
because the zoo's communication system h a d b e e n t u r n e d ofi
I t was often like t h a t w h e n t h e scientists w e r e w o r k i n g 0 1
something i m p o r t a n t .
Kin shook his head to get rid of t h e h e a d a c h e . C e r t a i n l y , ii
star-jump's effect o n t h e creature was immediate. I t h a d t h r o w n
up its tentacles as if a b o m b h a d e x p l o d e d b e h i n d i t . T h e r
screaming thinly, it h a d h u r r i e d b a c k to t h e s a f e t y of it
sleeping place.
'I don't t h i n k we're likely to be able to s t u d y it n o w / Kinl
father said.
A s t h e effects o f the j u m p g r e w smaller, t h e c r e a t u r e d i d n c
r e a p p e a r . Kin w a t c h e d t h e s h a d o w s , b u t t h e r e w a s
movement.
'I t h i n k it prefers hiding,' his father said.
Kin couldn't h e l p feeling a little s o r r y for t h e t h i n g
Maxxon's death h a d been a n accident, even i f t h e c r e a t u r e
caused it. Perhaps i t didn't m e a n t o h u r t p e o p l e . O n t h e othe
h a n d , it had attacked Utagao.
'There's one t h i n g I w o n d e r , ' he said.
' W h a t ' s that, Kin?'
'If there are more of its k i n d , w h e r e are t h e y ? '
« 36 »
K o v - N u r i p u t his h a n d on Kin's shoulder. 'Most likely we'll
n e v e r k n o w . Even as scientists, sometimes we j u s t have to
accept t h a t .
Tesa w a s waiting for Kin w h e n he r e t u r n e d to the s t u d e n t s '
hall O l d e r children were doing h o m e w o r k . Others were
t a l k i n g in groups or using the library's rows of computers. Tesa
h a d a s t a r map in front of her. She was s t u d y i n g a c o m p u t e r
screen filled w i t h n u m b e r s .
' W h a t ' s t h a t ? ' Kin said. 'Star studies? I h a v e n ' t even
b e g u n t h a t yet. You're always w e e k s a h e a d w i t h y o u r
homework.'
'You w o u l d be too, if y o u r dad was captain of t h e ship.'
'Why?'
' I ' m supposed to set an example.'
' T r u e . ' Kin k n e w t h a t t h i n g s weren't always easy for Tesa.
Kin sat d o w n opposite her. He suddenly felt like crying. He
was t h i n k i n g of his o w n parents. He p u t his head d o w n on his
arms. If it h a d been anyone else b u t Tesa there, he w o u l d n ' t
have s h o w n his feelings in this way.
Tesa came a n d p u t her arm a r o u n d h i m like a big sister.
'Poor Kin.'
He sat up, shaking his head. 'The creature holds the secret.
I k n o w it. But it hides - a n d it's getting sick.'
'Tell me about t h e pictures you saw,' Tesa said, ' t h e ones in
y o u r h e a d . You were talking about t h e m in t h e hospital. I
v i s i t e d you.'
' I ' v e already told t h e doctors a n d scientists about t h e
p i c t u r e s . They didn't t h i n k t h e y were important.'
'Tell me.'
'Why, Tesa? W h a t ' s t h e p o i n t ? '
' D o you remember the feeling I said I h a d before we landed
on A l d e b a r a n 4 - as if the planet was calling?'
S
'Yes.'
« 37 »
 T felt it a g a i n , y o u k n o w - at t h e s a m e time you fell sic
M a y b e it w a s the same thing.'
Kin l o o k e d i n t o h e r eyes. 'All right, Tesa.'
H e d e s c r i b e d t h e s t r a n g e s h a p e s that h i s m i n d h a d seen, t h
c o l o u r s he c o u l d n ' t r e c o g n i s e . 'It felt as if I w a s u n d e r water,
w a s as if I w a s d r o w n i n g . N o t h i n g seemed to s t a y still.'
'Were they big?'
'What?'
'The shapes.'
T don't know.'
' W e r e t h e y a n y t h i n g like t h e c r e a t u r e ? '
T . . . I c a n ' t t h i n k . ' Kin r u b b e d his f o r e h e a d . T h e headac
w a s r e t u r n i n g . ' N o . T h e y d i d n ' t look like t h e c r e a t u r e . '
' I ' m s o r r y . It's j u s t . . . I saw colours t o o , K i n . M a y b e t
c r e a t u r e p u t t h e t h o u g h t s i n o u r heads.'
' B u t h o w ? I t d o e s n ' t b e h a v e w i t h any i n t e l l i g e n c e . '
'You s a i d it h e l d t h e secret,' Tesa r e p l i e d .
T d o n ' t k n o w . N o t h i n g m a k e s any s e n s e . '
Tesa s t o o d u p . ' T h e n w e n e e d t o find o u t . I s n ' t that w h
s c i e n c e is all a b o u t — s o l v i n g mysteries?'
been behaving strangely, as if something was dragging on t h e
ship, slowing the Voyager d o w n . Tesjak's h a n d s were full. T h e
only other person w h o Kin and Tesa t r u s t e d was Aztantr, b u t
he wasn't to be found, so they h a d come alone to the zoo.
Now t h e robot g u a r d unfolded a metal arm to stop t h e m .
'Humansgo back,' t h e robot repeated. Its b l a n k camera eye was
aimed at t h e m like a g u n .
Kin wished he could simply p u s h t h e m a c h i n e aside. 'We
don't have time to waste,' he said.
'Let me,' Tesa said.
She stepped forward.
'Robot, enter c o m m a n d P I 3 0 A , ' she said in a slow, clear
voice. 'Permission to pass. T w o h u m a n s . '
T h e robot's arm immediately folded back into its body.
'Command accepted. Humans pass.' It moved to one side.
Kin looked at Tesa.
She smiled. ' D a u g h t e r of t h e captain. I'd have to be
amazingly stupid not to learn something.'
She took Kin's h a n d . 'Let's go a n d see the creature.'

A r o b o t g u a r d s t o p p e d t h e m a s t h e y g o t near t h e creature
cage. D a s t a r w a s off d u t y . T h e other s c i e n t i s t s a t w o r k i n I
zoo w e r e w i t h o t h e r a n i m a l s . T h e robot floated i n t h e air o n i
a n t i - g r a v r a y s . L i k e all r o b o t g u a r d s i n s i d e t h e ship, i t coul
fly-
I t s c a m e r a eye p o i n t e d at Kin a n d Tesa. 'This area is close
Humans go back.'
' D a s t a r m u s t h a v e c h a n g e d its c o m m a n d s , ' K i n said.
T h e y h a d c o m e from t h e hospital. Kin's m o t h e r ' s conditio
h a d n ' t c h a n g e d . T h e y h a d w a n t e d t o d i s c u s s t h e i r ideas w i
s o m e o n e , b u t Kin's f a t h e r w a s in t h e l a b o r a t o r i e s w o r k i n g o
h i s n e w i n s t r u m e n t s , w h i l e Tesa's father, C a p t a i n Tesjak, w
t o o b u s y . S i n c e t h e j u m p t o star speed, t h e s h i p ' s engines h a

« 38 » « 39 »
 Chapter 9 'Oh look at it!' Tesa said w i t h pity. 'It s h o u l d n ' t do that.'
Kin climbed over the fence a n d p u t his h a n d s against the

Emergency in the zoo force-field. 'Stop it! Don't do that!' he called.

An electronic voice s o u n d e d . 'Danger! Human get back. Do
The creature was o u t of its sleeping place, resting near th not touch force-field.'
front of its cage. Tesa h e l d Kin's arm. It was t h e first time sh Kin had forgotten t h e cameras w a t c h i n g . If he didn't step
had seen the c r e a t u r e , e x c e p t on t h e view screens.
back, robot g u a r d s w o u l d come.
'It's bigger t h a n I i m a g i n e d , ' she said.
'Don't h u r t yourself!' he called to t h e creature. The force-
'It looks sick to m e , ' Kin replied.
field felt soft u n d e r his fingers. If he w a n t e d to, he could step
More of t h e c r e a t u r e ' s t e n t a c l e was missing. A r o u n d th
cage lay b r o k e n ' t r e e s ' a n d u n t o u c h e d food. A smashe t h r o u g h it.
cleaning robot w a s n e a r one wall. Kin guessed it had bee The w a r n i n g s o u n d e d again. 'Human step back. Return to
attacked as it tried to clean up t h e cage. other side of fence!
Slowly, t h e t h i n g t u r n e d to face t h e m . Its single eye fixe T h e creature was still feeding on itself.
first on Kin, t h e n Tesa. T h e n it moved back to Kin. 'Please!' Kin called to it. He remembered his father saying
' N o n e of t h e o t h e r zoo creatures takes any notice of people an animal could h a r m itself as a sign it was a n x i o u s . T don't
Tesa said. 'But t h i s one's i n t e r e s t e d in you.' w a n t you to do that any more!'
The t h i n g released its injured tentacle a n d its eye locked
'I'm b e g i n n i n g to t h i n k t h e same thing,' Kin replied.
onto Kin. He felt the b e g i n n i n g of a h e a d a c h e . Strange colours
Kin studied t h e creature. T h e y were separated by a lo
filled his m i n d . T h e colours changed, forming into shapes that
protective fence, t h e n t h e u n s e e n force-field. If not for the force
he didn't recognise - big ones a n d small ones. T h e y a p p e a r e d
field, the creature c o u l d have reached out and touched them
to be swimming. He saw long t h i n g s like tentacles moving, a n d
Standing so close to it, Kin could see the slime r u n n i n g thinl
a w a r m feeling flowed t h r o u g h his body.
d o w n its skin and t h e small wet hairs around its breathing holes
'Human get back!' came t h e robot command.
The b u r n marks from the lasers were red. The sucker in th
'No!' Kin s h o u t e d as a metal h a n d fastened on his a r m . He
centre of its short t e n t a c l e o p e n e d and closed as if it wanted food
tried to escape, b u t slipped. His foot and other a r m w e n t
Are we the food it's looking for? Kin t h o u g h t . t h r o u g h t h e force-field.
A r e y o u t r y i n g t o h u r t u s ? ' h e said out loud. Are y o 'Danger! Danger!' t h e robot cried.
putting thoughts into our heads to hurt us?' Four more robots were coming. One was a flying g u a r d
The t h i n g only l o o k e d at h i m . robot, t h e others were zoo keeper robots, more human-like, on
'It can't a n s w e r y o u , ' Tesa said. egs. T h e leading g u a r d robot c a u g h t Tesa a n d lifted her away.
Kin wished t h a t h e h a d s t u d i e d more animal behaviour. T h An electronic w a r n i n g was s o u n d i n g .
creature looked h o r r i b l e , b u t s o m e h o w he didn't t h i n k it was couW ' n t r i e d t 0 h i m
° S
-d
< f b a G k f r m t h e f o r c e f i e l d b u t

I t S e n e r f l o w w a s

S u d d e n l y t h e creature's short tentacle fastened on one of it thL §y one-way. Inside the cage, the
thing was W a i
V its tentacles excitedly.
n g
other arms a n d b e g a n to feed on it.

« 40 » « 41 »
 'Emergency! Field shut off,' a robot voice c o m m a n d e d .
T w o of the keeper robots leapt over t h e fence, b o t h carrying
electric rods that were used for controlling d a n g e r o u s animals.
The other keeper robot was dragging a heavy air-jet. T h e air-
jet was for cleaning cages a n d was connected to t h e ship's
power. It could shoot a v e r y strong air-stream.
T h e force-field s u d d e n l y s h u t off. Kin fell b a c k w a r d s as his
arm a n d leg came free a n d t h e horrible-smelling a t m o s p h e r e of
Aldebaran 4 flowed over him. In t h e same moment, t h e colours
a n d shapes filling his m i n d grew sharper. T h e y took t h e form
of an e n o r m o u s creature w i t h an u n c o u n t a b l e n u m b e r of
tentacles. It looked fiercer t h a n a n y t h i n g he could have
imagined by himself.
T h e g u a r d robot h o l d i n g Kin pulled him r o u g h l y away from
the cage. As it did, t h e t w o robots w i t h electric rods r u s h e d
straight at the creature. A rod t o u c h e d t h e creature's body.
There was a violent spark a n d it gave a cry of pain.
T h e w a r m feeling that h a d flooded Kin changed to one of
ice — a n d anger — as one of t h e keeper robots reached o u t to hit
the creature again. T h e robot wasn't fast e n o u g h . One of the
creature's tentacles w r a p p e d a r o u n d it a n d t h r e w it across t h e
cage. A second tentacle c a u g h t t h e other robot a n d , lifting it
high, smashed it like a toy u p o n t h e g r o u n d .
'Let me go!' Kin s h o u t e d at t h e robot h o l d i n g him.
'Take humans to safety,' it replied.
'Kin!' Tesa called helplessly. Her o w n robot was dragging
her away d o w n t h e passageway.
Before Kin's robot could move far, however, t h e creature
t u r n e d towards t h e m . Crossing t h e line of t h e force-field, it
smashed d o w n t h e fence a n d came straight t o w a r d s t h e m .
The robot w i t h t h e air-jet blocked its p a t h . A powerful air-
tream shot out, hitting t h e creature a n d t h r o w i n g it back,
rops of slime hit Kin's face as the thing's tentacles n a r r o w l y

« 43 »
 More robots came. Air-jets and electric rods drove tl Chapter 10
creature back into its cage. As it crossed back over the line, tH
force-field j u m p e d back to life, c u t t i n g one robot in half.
Terrible decisions
As t h e robots dragged Kin a n d Tesa away, people were lying in
the passage outside t h e zoo. Some of t h e m lay w i t h frozen,
scared faces, not moving. Others were groaning, h o l d i n g their
heads in pain. Several keeper robots from t h e zoo were t r y i n g
| to care for them.
'What's h a p p e n e d ? ' Tesa cried.
The people on t h e floor looked like t h e ones in t h e hospital.
Kin saw his father and Dastar among them.
'Stop!' he shouted to the robot c a r r y i n g him.
The guard robot continued on as if it h a d n ' t heard him.
Until they were safe, it w o u l d n ' t accept any other c o m m a n d .
Soon they met a group of people coming q u i c k l y t h e other
way. T h e leader of the group was Aztantr. Those b e h i n d him
wore silver suits and helmets. T h e y were dressed to enter a
hostile e n v i r o n m e n t .
'Kin! Tesa! I'm glad you're b o t h safe,' A z t a n t r said.
The robot s t o p p e d . Kin asked w h a t was h a p p e n i n g .
'You were seen on camera. W h e n t h e emergency w a r n i n g
i n d e d , robots a n d people r u s h e d to help. But t h e people fell
own. It was as if t h e y were being attacked. We're on o u r way
I to help.'
^Tesa a n d I are okay. Let us h e l p too.'
io. There are others h u r t all over t h e ship. T h e captain
wants to see you.'
There was no use in arguing.

^ a p t a i n Tesjak w a s in t h e Voyager's c o m m a n d c e n t r e . He
a n g r y . ' W h a t w e r e y o u t w o d o i n g i n t h e zoo? For
E a r t h S S 3 k e ! W h y d u t h i n k 1 4 w a s c l o s e d t 0
peoplf? ' ° y°

« 44 » « 45 »
 More robots came. Air-jets a n d electric rods drove the
Chapter 10
creature b a c k i n t o its cage. As it crossed b a c k over t h e line, t h e
force-field j u m p e d b a c k t o life, c u t t i n g o n e r o b o t i n half.
Terrible decisions
A s t h e r o b o t s d r a g g e d K i n a n d Tesa a w a y , p e o p l e w e r e l y i n g i n
the passage o u t s i d e t h e zoo. Some of t h e m lay w i t h frozen,
s c a r e d faces, n o t m o v i n g . O t h e r s w e r e g r o a n i n g , h o l d i n g t h e i r
heads in pain. Several k e e p e r r o b o t s from t h e zoo w e r e t r y i n g
t o c a r e for t h e m .
" W h a t ' s h a p p e n e d ? ' Tesa c r i e d .
T h e p e o p l e o n t h e floor l o o k e d like t h e o n e s i n t h e h o s p i t a l .
Kin s a w h i s f a t h e r a n d D a s t a r a m o n g t h e m .
'Stop!' he shouted to the robot carrying him.
The guard robot continued on as if it hadn't heard him.
Intil t h e y w e r e safe, i t w o u l d n ' t a c c e p t a n y o t h e r c o m m a n d .
Soon they met a group of people coming quickly t h e o t h e r
way. T h e l e a d e r o f t h e g r o u p w a s A z t a n t r . T h o s e b e h i n d h i m
wore silver suits a n d helmets. T h e y w e r e dressed to e n t e r a
hostile e n v i r o n m e n t .
' K i n ! Tesa! I ' m g l a d y o u ' r e b o t h safe,' A z t a n t r s a i d .
T h e r o b o t s t o p p e d . Kin asked w h a t w a s h a p p e n i n g .
'You w e r e s e e n o n c a m e r a . W h e n t h e e m e r g e n c y w a r n i n g
o u n d e d , r o b o t s a n d p e o p l e r u s h e d t o h e l p . B u t t h e p e o p l e fell
down. It was as if they were being attacked. We're on our w a y
to help.'
'Tesa a n d I are okay. Let us h e l p too.'
' N o . T h e r e a r e o t h e r s h u r t all o v e r t h e s h i p . T h e c a p t a i n
w a n t s to see you.'
There was no use in arguing.

*• a p t a i n Tesjak w a s in t h e Voyager's c o m m a n d c e n t r e . He
w
as angry. 'What were you two doing in the zoo? For
t r y i n g Earth's sake! W h y do you think it was closed to
People?'

« 44 »
« 45 »
 H e h i t t h e i n s t r u m e n t d e s k n e x t t o h i m . ' A n d y o u , Tesa! D o 'Nuri' was the name given to Kin's scientist father in
I have to keep my o w n daughter locked up? W h a t did you do respect. Calling Kin a scientist w a s t h e o p p o s i t e .
- use my c o m m a n d to get by the g u a r d ? ' Tesjak e x p l a i n e d . 'If w e r e t u r n h o m e t o E p s i l o n w i t h a n
' I . . . w e . . . i t w a s n ' t d a n g e r o u s , ' Tesa r e p l i e d . u n k n o w n illness like this on board, there's o n l y o n e possible
' N o t d a n g e r o u s ? You c o u l d h a v e b e e n k i l l e d ! ' r e s u l t . T h e r e w o n ' t b e a n y q u e s t i o n s a b o u t w h e t h e r it's c a u s e d
'It w a s n ' t like that,' Kin objected. 'I d o n ' t t h i n k t h e c r e a t u r e b y a g e r m o r n o t . N o . T h e g o v e r n m e n t o f E p s i l o n i s n ' t soft l i k e
meant any harm.' I am. T h e ship will be destroyed.'
' R o b o t s s m a s h e d , p e o p l e all o v e r t h e s h i p f a l l i n g d o w n ill - K i n felt h i s b l o o d d r a i n away. No! That can't happen! H i s
that's not h a r m ? ' family, e v e r y o n e h e c a r e d a b o u t , w o u l d d i e .
' T h e c r e a t u r e o n l y b e c a m e v i o l e n t after t h e r o b o t s c a m e a n d '"Sacrifice t h e few t o p r o t e c t t h e m a n y . " It's a l w a y s b e e n
p u l l e d Tesa a n d m e away. U p u n t i l t h e n , I t h i n k i t w a s t r y i n g that way,' Captain Tesjak said. ' N o s h i p is allowed to r e t u r n if
to communicate.' it might bring danger to the people on Epsilon.'
' C o m m u n i c a t e ? H o w ? ' Tesjak d e m a n d e d . ' B u t . . . b u t that's cruel!'
' T h r o u g h m i n d pictures,' Kin said. T t h i n k it w a s creating 'It's n e c e s s a r y . W e lost o n e p l a n e t o n c e , ' Tesjak said. 'You
p i c t u r e s i n o u r m i n d s . W h e n t h e force-field d i s a p p e a r e d , t h e can't let feelings get i n t h e w a y '
p i c t u r e s b e c a m e clearer.' He p o i n t e d in t h e direction of t h e zoo. ' T h a t thing's n o t like
'Exactly!' the captain replied. 'That's w h e n the people were i h u m a n . It's j u s t a n a n i m a l . I f a g e r m ' s n o t t h e c a u s e , i f i t i s t h e
h i t . E v e r y a d u l t w i t h i n t w o h u n d r e d m e t r e s . I felt i t t o o , a n d I c r e a t u r e , t h e n w e m u s t k i l l it. S i m p l e . ' T h e c a p t a i n p u t h i s
w a s u p h e r e i n t h e c o n t r o l r o o m . I t felt l i k e s o m e t h i n g t r y i n g h a n d o n Kin's s h o u l d e r . I t w a s a s i f h e w a s a p o l o g i s i n g . ' T h a t ' s
t o eat i n t o m y h e a d . T h e o n l y o n e s i n t h e area w h o w e r e n ' t not o u r only problem.'
affected w e r e c h i l d r e n a n d t h o s e like A z t a n t r w i t h p a r t - r o b o t 'There's m o r e ? ' Kin said.
connections in their brains.' 'Voyager's star drive isn't working properly. There's
'Children weren't affected?' s o m e t h i n g w r o n g w i t h t h e e n g i n e s . It's a s i f s o m e t h i n g i s
' C h i l d r e n a n d y o u n g p e o p l e . P e r h a p s for t h e s a m e r e a s o n dragging on us, s t o p p i n g us from getting up to p r o p e r star
you - ' s p e e d . U n l e s s w e d o , w e ' l l n e v e r get h o m e a n y w a y . It's e l e v e n
T t h i n k it's t r y i n g t o t a l k , ' Kin i n t e r r u p t e d . ' T h a t ' s w h a t ' s T h o u s a n d l i g h t y e a r s t o E p s i l o n . A t t h e p r e s e n t s p e e d , w e ' l l all
c a u s i n g t h i s . I d o n ' t t h i n k it's a g e r m . ' be dead long before then.'
T e s j a k ' s face w a s h a r d . ' W e l l , w h a t e v e r it's t r y i n g t o d o , i f H e l o o k e d a t Kin, t h e n Tesa. ' N o n e o f t h i s s t a r t e d u n t i l t h e
t h i s i s t h e effect i t h a s o n p e o p l e , w e ' l l h a v e t o k i l l it.' creature came on board. I don't know if the things are
' N o ! W e can't. It's...I d o n ' t t h i n k i t m e a n s u s h a r m , ' Kin said 1
o n n e c t e d , b u t it's p o s s i b l e . I ' m k e e p i n g t h i s s e c r e t , b e c a u s e I
again. don't w a n t to scare people - b u t do y o u u n d e r s t a n d t h e reason
' W h a t , it's l i k e s o m e p e t d o g , s o w e o u g h t t o k e e p i t o n a ' w a n t to get rid of t h e creature?'
c h a i n ? ' T h e c a p t a i n l e a n e d f o r w a r d . H i s a n g e r w a s still s t r o n g . Kin h a d n o a n s w e r .
'Let me e x p l a i n s o m e t h i n g to y o u , Kin-Nuri.' As if his words weren't terrible enough, Tesjak a d d e d ,

« 46 » « 47 »
'Some of my m a i n e n g i n e e r s are a m o n g t h e p e o p l e affected. If Chapter 11
w e ' r e g o i n g t o fix t h e e n g i n e s , I n e e d t h e m . '
'If y o u d o k i l l t h e t h i n g a n d p e o p l e d o n ' t g e t b e t t e r , ' Tesa
said, ' w h a t h a p p e n s t h e n ? '
Caught by the creature
Tesjak looked at her. 'We can't take sickness back to Captain Tesjak agreed, but only with rules. Rule One: Kin
Epsilon.' would go alone.
' W h a t d o e s t h a t m e a n ? ' Tesa a s k e d . ' N o a r g u m e n t s , Tesa,' t h e c a p t a i n s a i d . ' I ' m n o t a l l o w i n g
H e r f a t h e r ' s v o i c e w a s c o l d . 'If w e c a n f i x t h e e n g i n e s - i f t w o of y o u i n t o danger. Kin h a s t h e best c h a n c e . He says he's
we can get back to Epsilon - t h e n we'll have no choice. A n y o n e receiving t h e t h o u g h t s m o r e clearly - if t h e y are t h e creature's
still a f f e c t e d w i l l b e s h o t o u t i n t o s p a c e . '
thoughts.'
'Sacrifice t h e few,' Kin said bitterly.
R u l e T w o w a s s i m p l e . 'If t h e t h i n g m a k e s a n y m o v e t o w a r d s
' P e r h a p s you'd like t h e j o b of captain,' Tesjak said. 'That's
violence, it will be immediately destroyed.' T h e robot g u a r d s
w h a t t h e choices are.'
would carry atomic guns. They were much more powerful than
Kin stood up straighter. 'You said y o u n g p e o p l e h a v e n ' t
lasers.
been affected?'
Tesa said t o Kin, 'I'll w a t c h y o u o n t h e cameras.' H e c o u l d
'That's right,' Tesjak replied.
see t h a t s h e w a s d i s a p p o i n t e d a t n o t b e i n g able t o go.
' T h e n let u s g o b a c k . Give u s a n o t h e r c h a n c e t o t a l k t o t h e
'I'll be okay,' Kin r e p l i e d . But i n s i d e he w a s n ' t so s u r e .
thing.'
'Yes,' Tesa s a i d . T felt i t s t h o u g h t s t o o . E v e n if it's a s m a l l A t t h e zoo e n t r a n c e , Captain Tesjak s t o p p e d Kin. T h e y h a d
chance. M a y b e we can find an answer.' d r i v e n d o w n t o g e t h e r . Tesa r e m a i n e d i n t h e c o n t r o l r o o m .
'You u n d e r s t a n d t h e r e a s o n I c a n ' t l e t Tesa g o ? ' T e s j a k s a i d .
Kin n o d d e d . 'She's y o u r d a u g h t e r . '
Tesjak's smile w a s n ' t h a p p y . A c a p t a i n o u g h t to be stronger.'
As y o u said, I do h a v e t h e best c h a n c e , ' Kin replied.
'You're a b r a v e y o u n g m a n , Kin. Your p a r e n t s w o u l d be
proud.'
'Maybe I caused the thing to hurt Dad and all the
others.'
'No, Kin. Don't t h i n k like t h a t . T h i s w o u l d have h a p p e n e d
anyway, w i t h o u t you.'
Tesjak h e l d o u t an i n s t r u m e n t t h a t looked like a small ball,
w i t h t w o smaller pieces like e a r p h o n e s .
'Take this.'
' W h a t is it?'

« 48 » « 49 »
 ' T h e i n s t r u m e n t y o u r father w a s w o r k i n g on. He called it O n e t h i n g gave h i m h o p e . His h e a d a c h e wasn't as strong as
his "Universal Translator".' b e f o r e . E a c h t i m e h e e x p e r i e n c e d it, i t s e e m e d w e a k e r . T h e first
K i n t o o k it. H e ' d s e e n e a r l y e x a m p l e s , b u t n o t t h i s o n e . time, it had been so bad that he k n e w he was lucky to have
'It's g o t a c o m p u t e r a n d d i c t i o n a r i e s i n s i d e , ' T e s j a k s a i d . survived. But n o w it was no worse t h a n t h e gravity sickness
'The dictionaries cover every k n o w n language, even machine t h a t h e s o m e t i m e s felt u s i n g a f l i g h t - g a m e m a c h i n e .
languages and animal behavioural signals. It hasn't been Kin closed his eyes, t h i n k i n g h a r d . He r e m e m b e r e d t h a t
completely tested yet, b u t it m i g h t help.' w h e n t h e f o r c e - f i e l d h a d b e e n s h u t off b e f o r e , t h e p i c t u r e s i n
' W h a t h a v e I got to lose?' Kin said, a n d p u t it in his p o c k e t . his head had become clearer. Was the field stopping his
He stepped t h r o u g h the zoo entrance. Six g u a r d r o b o t s thoughts getting through?
followed him, carrying atomic g u n s . Kin looked at t h e creature.
I hope you're friendly, he t h o u g h t . If you're not, we could both
T h e b r o k e n r o b o t s h a d b e e n t a k e n a w a y , all e x c e p t for t h e o n e soon be dead.
c u t i n half b y t h e force-field. Its u p p e r b o d y lay i n p i e c e s
H e j u m p e d over t h e fence a n d s t e p p e d t h r o u g h t h e force-
inside t h e cage. T h e creature h a d t o r n i t apart a n d t h r o w n t h e
field. B e h i n d h i m , t h e r o b o t g u a r d s s t a r t e d q u i c k l y f o r w a r d s
pieces a b o u t . T h e c r e a t u r e itself w a s n ' t t o b e seen.
with their g u n s raised.
Kin s t o p p e d at t h e fence. His s t o m a c h w a s in a k n o t . 'Stay back!' Kin s h o u t e d . 'Don't shoot!'
He examined the translator. I hope this works. Dad, he
t h o u g h t , fitting its e a r p h o n e s i n t o h i s ears. ' W h a t ' s he d o i n g ? ' Captain Tesjak cried. He w a s w a t c h i n g a
'Hey!' he shouted towards the creature's sleeping place. s c r e e n i n t h e c o n t r o l r o o m . Tesa w a s b y h i s s i d e .
'Come a n d talk.' The cameras followed Kin as he stepped towards the
There was a sudden movement in the shadows. The creature creature w i t h his arms raised as the sign of a friend. In front of
c a m e o u t q u i c k l y , a s i f i t h a d b e e n w a i t i n g for h i m . h i m , t h e t h i n g s t o o d t w i c e a s tall a s h i m . Its single eye w a s
I should have tested this first on the tharmor, Kin thought, fixed on Kin.
h o l d i n g t h e t r a n s l a t o r o u t t o w a r d s it. 'Shall I order the robots to shoot?' It was the group
He didn't have time to t h i n k a n y t h i n g else. His m i n d was c o m m a n d e r , J a d Ur. S h e w a s also w a t c h i n g t h e s c r e e n .
suddenly flooded with pictures of swimming things and he
' N o t yet,' Tesjak said. 'He's in t h e way.'
felt t h e familiar ache in his head. There was no w a r m
feeling this time, t h o u g h . I n s t e a d , h e felt u n c e r t a i n t y a n d K i n l o o k e d u p a t t h e c r e a t u r e . H i s h e a r t w a s b e a t i n g fast. T h e
fear. creature's s h o r t tentacle w a v e d t o w a r d s h i m w i t h its cup-like
7s that what you're feeling? he a s k e d the creature, thinking m o u t h o p e n i n g a n d closing. That was w h a t scared h i m the most.
t h e q u e s t i o n , n o t s a y i n g it. Friend, K i n t h o u g h t , w a t c h i n g s l i m e fall i n d r o p s , l i s t e n i n g
There was no reply a n d t h e translator was silent in his t o t h e soft w e t s o u n d o f i t s b r e a t h i n g .
hand. Suddenly, hostile feelings flooded his m i n d . T h e tentacle
Stupid. It's not designed to send thoughts. pointed past h i m t o w a r d s the robot g u a r d s . T h e y w e r e circling.

« 50 » « 51 »
 'No,' Kin cried. ' F r i e n d s . Let us be friends.'
Fear a n d anger p u s h e d at his m i n d together w i t h feelings
h e ' d n e v e r e x p e r i e n c e d b e f o r e . H e felt a s i f h e w a s d r o w n i n g ,
powerless to stop t h e strange t h o u g h t s a n d feelings. It seemed
t h e r e w e r e e n o r m o u s s h a p e s all a r o u n d h i m , h u n d r e d s o f e y e s
and sucking tentacles pushing at him.
Then through the translator came words he didn't want to
hear. Attack! Enemies! Destroy! Then, repeated and repeated,
Help...Help...Help...
'But we're friends!' Kin cried.
T h e c r e a t u r e s u d d e n l y t u r n e d a n d p i c k e d h i m u p i n its
t e n t a c l e s . T h e r e w a s a fierce l o o k in its e y e . W i t h o u t p a u s i n g ,
it carried him quickly back into the shadows of the sleeping
place.
Kin fought against t h e tentacles, b u t t h e y w e r e too strong.
D e e p i n t h e s h a d o w s , h e felt i t s s u c k i n g t e n t a c l e t o u c h h i s f a c e .
' N o ! ' He s c r e a m e d in fear as it f a s t e n e d on h i m .

« 52 » « 53 »
 Chapter 12 S u d d e n l y t h e s h i p b e g a n t o s h a k e violently. Tesa h a d t o
h o l d o n t o her father.

The alien ship ' W h a t ' s t h a t ? ' Tesjak said.

A flight officer w a s s t a r i n g at a s c r e e n . T d o n ' t like t h i s , sir!'

Tesa's c r y w a s o n e o f h o r r o r . A s t h e c r e a t u r e c a r r i e d Kin i n t o ' W h a t is it?' Tesjak d e m a n d e d .

t h e s h a d o w s , she s h o u t e d to h e r father, ' W e have to save T h e officer p o i n t e d . O n t h e s c r e e n w a s t h e s t a r , A l d e b a r a n .
him!' It w a s p a r t l y b l o c k e d o u t by a d a r k object t h e size of a small
C a p t a i n T e s j a k h a d a l r e a d y h i t t h e e m e r g e n c y b u t t o n . Tesa m o o n . ' T h a t o b j e c t j u s t a p p e a r e d , sir. I t c a m e o u t o f n o w h e r e . '
heard soldiers' feet r u n n i n g . The captain turned to group
c o m m a n d e r J a d U r . T w a n t s o m e o n e d o w n t h e r e fast. I d o n ' t Tesa s t o o d n e a r h e r f a t h e r a s t h e c r e w c a l l e d o u t r e a d i n g s f r o m
w a n t the robots making mistakes.' instrument after instrument. The Voyager's computers had
taken over to control the shaking so that it was n o w only a
Jad Ur nodded. A powerful-looking woman, she k n e w that
Tesjak's o r d e r m e a n t d a n g e r . small t r e m b l e . But t h e object w a s c o m i n g closer.
'It's a s p a c e s h i p / t h e chief flight officer said.
T d o n ' t w a n t y o u g o i n g i n t o t h e zoo,' Tesjak said to her. 'Too
m a n y p e o p l e are in hospital b e c a u s e t h e y got close to t h e Tesa t o o k h e r father's h a n d a s t h e y w a t c h e d it. T h e r e w a s n ' t

c r e a t u r e . Let t h e r o b o t s d o t h e j o b . J u s t b e t h e r e t o c o n t r o l a n y d o u b t . This w a s t h e t h i n g t h a t h a d affected t h e i r star

t h e m . M a k e s u r e y o u k e e p t h e force-field up.' drive.
'How do you want us to handle it?' ' T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g w e c a n d o t o e s c a p e / t h e chief officer said.
'Kill t h e c r e a t u r e . ' ' W h e r e v e r t h e t h i n g comes from,' Captain Tesjak said, ' t h e i r
J a d U r g l a n c e d a t Tesa. A n d i f w e c a n ' t get Kin o u t o f t h e s c i e n c e i s far m o r e a d v a n c e d t h a n o u r s . '
way?' Suddenly all of the screens went black and the ship's
'You h a v e p e r m i s s i o n t o s h o o t , ' T e s j a k s a i d . instruments started to give out crazy readings.
' D a d d y , n o ! You c a n ' t d o t h a t , ' Tesa c r i e d . ' W h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g ? ' Tesa said.
T h e c a p t a i n l o o k e d a t h e r . ' T h e w h o l e s h i p i s i n d a n g e r , Tes. T h e s c r e e n s s p r a n g b a c k t o life. T h e p i c t u r e s o f t h e z o o a n d
Kin k n e w t h e choice h e w a s m a k i n g . ' t h e creature's cage h a d gone. Instead, o n e screen s h o w e d t h e
H e t u r n e d t o J a d Ur. ' J u s t kill t h e t h i n g . ' alien ship. On t h e others floated creatures similar to t h e o n e
' T h e n t h e r o b o t s w i l l h a v e t o s h o o t m e t o o / Tesa s a i d i n t h e y h a d c a u g h t o n A l d e b a r a n 4 - s o m a n y o f t h e m t h a t Tesa
a n g e r . ' I ' m g o i n g t o o . ' S h e t u r n e d i m m e d i a t e l y for t h e d o o r . couldn't count them all. She held her father's hand more
Tesjak signalled to a soldier. T h e soldier c a u g h t her. tightly. T h e t h i n g in the zoo was scary e n o u g h ; this was a
' I ' m sorry, Tes,' h e r f a t h e r said a s s h e f o u g h t t o e s c a p e . 'Kin t h o u s a n d times scarier.
would understand.' He nodded to Jad Ur, who ran out, ' T h e y ' r e c o m i n g t o g e t it,' s h e s a i d , k n o w i n g t h a t i t w a s t r u e .
followed by several soldiers. Even as she spoke, a terrible wave of sickness hit her a n d
'There are more t h a n three t h o u s a n d people on board/ alien t h o u g h t s flooded i n t o h e r m i n d . All a r o u n d her, Tesjak
Tesjak said t o Tesa. ' W h a t w o u l d y o u c h o o s e ? ' a n d t h e rest o f t h e c r e w w e r e falling d o w n , s c r e a m i n g .

« 54 » « 55 »
 Kin couldn't believe the pictures that d a n c e d in his mind. It H e w a s t h e r e for a l o n g t i m e . T h e h o t a i r a n d t h e f a l l i n g a s h
was as if he was on some alien planet, deep beneath an ocean. w e r e difficult to bear, b u t t h e loneliness w a s t h e worst. He j u s t
S t r a n g e c r e a t u r e s s w a m all a b o u t h i m . S o m e w e r e l i k e t h e t h i n g w a n t e d t o b e h o m e . H o m e w a s t h e d e e p , safe o c e a n . H e c a l l e d
f r o m A l d e b a r a n 4 , o t h e r s far d i f f e r e n t . A n d h e w a s o n e o f a n d called, s e n d i n g o u t signals, h o p i n g o t h e r creatures w o u l d
t h e m ! E v e r y w h e r e h e l o o k e d - o r s e n s e d , for all h i s s e n s e s w e r e come. T h e n t h e strange metal t h i n g s arrived, e n t e r i n g his cave.
w o r k i n g - he saw creatures d i v i n g a n d floating, m o v i n g to a He tried to communicate, but couldn't reach them; their brains
s t r a n g e . . . m u s i c ? But it w a s n ' t m u s i c . T h i s w a s s o m e t h i n g else, were just machines. Instead, they shot things that caused pain,
s o m e t h i n g h e d i d n ' t h a v e w o r d s for. H e s a w t h i n g s b e y o n d so he destroyed them.
a n y t h i n g his eyes s h o u l d b e able t o see. He heard sounds T h e silver t h i n g s that followed t h e m w e r e different. T h e y
b e y o n d a n y t h i n g his ears c o u l d h a v e h e a r d . A n d w i t h i t all m a d e noises together - 'speaking' - a n d he could sense their
came a feeling of b e i n g h o m e . t h o u g h t s . T h e y w e r e n ' t t h o u g h t s h e u n d e r s t o o d , b u t still t h e y
N o w , a t last, Kin u n d e r s t o o d . H e d i d n ' t n e e d his father's were thoughts. He picked one of them up, wanting to join
translator. He could communicate directly w i t h the creature. minds. He only wanted them to take him home. However, the
T h e t h i n g h a d n ' t b e e n t r y i n g to s u c k o u t his insides or to eat t h i n g s c r e a m e d a t h i s t o u c h a n d i t s t h o u g h t s f r o z e i n fear.
h i m - a l t h o u g h it h a d d o n e j u s t that w i t h the flying creatures. The young one. Communicate with the young one. There was a
It had only been trying to communicate with him. s m a l l e r c r e a t u r e a m o n g t h e s i l v e r s u i t e d t h i n g s . It must be a
The creature's sucking tentacle was like the life-line child too, he t h o u g h t .
b e t w e e n a m o t h e r a n d her u n b o r n baby. It n e e d e d that direct N o w Kin saw himself t h r o u g h t h e creature's eye. A n d he
c o n t a c t t o b e a b l e t o s e n d i t s t h o u g h t s c l e a r l y . T h a t w a s all t h a t understood. To communicate t h r o u g h thoughts, people's minds
it h a d wanted. T h e creature's behaviour was simple to explain. needed to be open, ready to accept n e w and strange things. If
It was y o u n g . It was alone. A n d it was scared. not — if they tried to defend their m i n d s against outside
Tell me what happened, K i n t h o u g h t , a l t h o u g h t h e q u e s t i o n thoughts - then they could be hurt. That was what had
wasn't in words. h a p p e n e d t o h i s p a r e n t s a n d U t a g a o a n d all t h e o t h e r s .
T h e answer came in pictures. He saw a spaceship buried in Everything will be all right soon, t h e creature said now.
ash. There were explosions from a crater a n d the ship began to K i n l o o k e d u p a t t h e g r e a t d a r k s h a p e h o l d i n g h i m . How?
sink deeper. A feeling of loneliness came over h i m - it w a s t h e I have been calling, the creature replied. My people are on
creature's feeling — a n d h e k n e w t h a t its p a r e n t s w e r e a b o a r d . their way. They will soon rescue me.
T h e n t h e feeling c h a n g e d t o o n e o f b e i n g lost.
I t w a s a s i f h e h a d become t h e t h i n g . H e w a n d e r e d n e a r
t h e forest a n d f o u g h t its h u n g r y b r a n c h e s . C r e a t u r e s flew o u t
of the sky to attack him. They came again a n d again. He
c a u g h t t h e m for food, s u c k i n g o u t t h e i r i n s i d e s a l t h o u g h h e
h a t e d t h e t a s t e . T h e n h e f o u n d t h e c a v e . I t s d a r k n e s s felt
safe.

« 56 » « 57 »
 Chapter 13 You have our child. We have come for him. Let him go free
now or...
Teso to the T h e w a r n i n g t h a t followed m a d e Tesa c r y o u t . S h e saw a
terrible picture of t h e Voyager f l y i n g i n t o t h e f i e r y s t a r o f
J a d U r a n d t h e s o l d i e r s w e r e a t t h e z o o e n t r a n c e . J a d U r felt t h e Aldebaran. W i t h no pilots to drive the ship, she k n e w that that
pain roll over her as, around her, the soldiers dropped would happen.
h e l p l e s s l y t o t h e floor. T h e p a i n i n h e r h e a d c a m e f r o m far She k n e e l e d d o w n a n d s h o o k her father. ' D a d . . . D a d ! Can
a w a y . T h a t w a s all s h e k n e w .
you hear me? We must answer them.'
"What orders?' t h e r o b o t s i n h e r t e a m d e m a n d e d .
Captain Tesjak's eyes stared as if his m i n d w a s b e i n g h e l d
There were three of them, each carrying a heavy atomic
prisoner.
gun. The g u n s could only shoot a short distance, but they
Tesa l o o k e d u p a t t h e screens. T h e alien s h i p w a s m u c h
c o u l d s m a s h a n y t h i n g i n t o a t o m s . Six m o r e r o b o t s - t h e o n e s
t h a t h a d b e e n s e n t w i t h Kin — w e r e i n s i d e t h e zoo. T h e y w e r e closer. How big are the aliens, she thought, if the creature we
t h e last c h a n c e t o save t h e ship. J a d U r h a d t o g i v e t h e m t h e i r caught was just a child? The things crowded the screens,
orders. h u n d r e d s o f t h e m , t h o u s a n d s . T h e i r e y e s all s e e m e d f i x e d o n

She fought against the pain in her head. 'Go!' she said. hers.
'Destroy the creature from A l d e b a r a n 4/ The thought came: We give you thirty-three minutes - the
'The boy?' time-shape was c l e a r in T e s a ' s m i n d — if Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-

'Forget h u m a n - p r o t e c t orders. Try not to h a r m him, but...' kaja is not returned, we will send your ship into the star.
The screens w e n t black.
J a d U r fell t o t h e floor. H e r l a s t w o r d s w e r e , 'If t h e r e i s n o o t h e r
T e s a felt l i k e i c e . T h e Voyager, a n d all t h o s e o n it, were
way, destroy t h e m both!'
going to be d e s t r o y e d a n d t h e r e w a s no o n e to save t h e m - only
herself.
Tesa w a s t h e o n l y o n e s t a n d i n g i n t h e c o n t r o l r o o m . A r o u n d
h e r , t h e f l i g h t c r e w l a y w h e r e t h e y h a d f a l l e n o n t h e floor. H e r My name is Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja, the thing said. Kin
father lay a m o n g t h e m . N o o n e w a s p i l o t i n g t h e s h i p . 'heard' t h e n a m e as a mix of colours a n d feelings as well as
T h e t h o u g h t s coming from t h e aliens c r o w d e d in her mind, sounds.
not in words, b u t in a language of colours a n d feelings she h a d Let me go, Kin replied. No one will hurt you. We will do
never experienced. The only thing she could compare it w i t h everything to find your people.
was being in the middle of a thunderstorm filled with
They are here! T h e t h i n g ' s s u d d e n t h o u g h t h i t K i n l i k e a
thousands of coloured lightning flashes that each carried
h a m m e r blow.
meaning. She k n e w this was the strange 'calling' she had heard
before; only now, t h e t h o u g h t s w e r e m a n y times stronger. It Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja was excited. The creature's
h a d b e e n t h e a l i e n s p a c e s h i p s e a r c h i n g for t h e c r e a t u r e t h e y thoughts were so loud they prevented Kin from hearing
had taken. a n y t h i n g e l s e . T h e n S s k - k j a - l l n - s s s - k j a - l l s s - k a j a let K i n g o . A
s t o r m o f alien ' v o i c e s ' i m m e d i a t e l y p u s h e d a t Kin's m i n d .

« 58 » « 59 »
 Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja was happy. her communicator. No adults were answering - not even
They want you, Kin said. He t o u c h e d the thing's injured Aztantr, even though the part-robot doctor had been
tentacle. Don't harm yourself any more, he said gently. u n a f f e c t e d b e f o r e . Tesa's f r i e n d s w e r e t h e o n l y p o s s i b l e h e l p .
'Human-child come out!' a sudden robot voice interrupted. As t h e y came into the passage in front of the zoo entrance, t h e y
The machine c o m m a n d was loud. It broke t h r o u g h their flow s a w J a d U r a n d h e r s o l d i e r s o n t h e floor.
o f t h o u g h t s a n d f e e l i n g s l i k e i c y w a t e r t h r o w n a t t h e m . 'Come Tesa d i d n ' t p a u s e . She p i c k e d u p J a d Ur's force g u n . H e r
out now. We have orders to kill! friends picked up others. Everyone on board was trained to
'No!' Kin s h o u t e d . 'Keep away!' shoot. She j u s t h o p e d they weren't too late.
He signalled Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja to stay and
s t e p p e d o u t into t h e light. At t h e front of t h e cage, n i n e r o b o t
g u a r d s w e r e c o m i n g t h r o u g h t h e f o r c e - f i e l d . K i n felt a s u d d e n
r u s h o f fear. T h e y w e r e all c a r r y i n g a t o m i c g u n s .
Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja h a d followed b e h i n d him.
It's all right, K i n s a i d , t o u c h i n g t h e c r e a t u r e ' s c o m m u n i c a t o r
tentacle. Keep behind me. He let Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja
read his t h o u g h t s — the robots w o u l d n ' t shoot at a h u m a n .
W h i l e Kin stood in t h e way, Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja w o u l d
b e safe.
T h e s h o t f r o m o n e o f t h e a t o m i c g u n s k n o c k e d K i n off h i s
feet. A rock beside him disappeared, leaving a s m o k e of
shining atoms.
'Stop! Don't shoot!' Kin s h o u t e d .
The robots, however, were obviously under higher
emergency c o m m a n d because a second shot tore away part of
t h e s l e e p i n g - p l a c e e n t r a n c e . It missed Kin by c e n t i m e t r e s .
Get away from them! He t h r e w t h e c o m m a n d at S s k - k j a - l l n -
sss-kja-llss-kaja, hoping the creature understood. Then he
dived t o w a r d s t h e rocks. H e saw t h e laser g u n from t h e b r o k e n
r o b o t l y i n g n e a r h i m . Q u i c k l y , h e r e a c h e d o u t for i t a n d p i c k e d
it u p .

T e s a r a n a s fast a s s h e c o u l d . I n t h e l o w g r a v i t y p a s s a g e h e r
j u m p s w e r e n e a r l y t e n metres long. Behind her h u r r i e d five of
her friends: t w o girls a n d t h r e e boys. She h a d called t h e m on

« 60 » « 61 »
 Chapter 14 happened. They had saved Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja, but
Kin w a s afraid t h a t it m i g h t m e a n n o t h i n g .

Enemies or friends? Even

people,
if they returned
h o w could t h e y pilot the
Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja to
Voyager h o m e ? T h a t t o o k
his

Kin aimed his g u n at t h e leading robot's eye. It was t h e only years and years of training.

p a r t o f a g u a r d r o b o t n o t p r o t e c t e d . T h e r a y h i t it, b u r n i n g Kin sat in a pilot's chair. His leg h u r t a n d he n e e d e d to s t o p

t h r o u g h the camera eye. T h e robot s t o p p e d immediately. the bleeding.

'System down! Unable to detect enemy,' it said. T e s a w e n t t o t h e s c r e e n s . T h e y w e r e all b l a c k . ' N o t h i n g ' s

K i n s h o t a n o t h e r r o b o t . A t h i r d o n e w a s c o m i n g fast. I t s w o r k i n g , ' she said, p u s h i n g controls. She looked anxiously at
atomic g u n sent a stream of sparks past h i m as it destroyed t h e Kin.
a t o m s o f t h e air. H e felt a s u d d e n p a i n b u r n t h e s i d e o f h i s l e g S u d d e n l y a l o u d s o u n d r a n g t h r o u g h t h e Voyager. I t w a s
and, b e h i n d him, Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja r u s h e d back into as if something large had connected to the ship. The
the sleeping place. A 'rock' disappeared. continuous shaking that had been running through the
Kin looked d o w n at his leg. A n e a t circle h a d b e e n r e m o v e d Voyager stopped.
from his suit a n d there was blood above t h e side of his k n e e . They are here! They are here! Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja
A n area o f s k i n half t h e size o f his h a n d h a d s i m p l y b e e n m a d e waved his tentacles in happiness.
to disappear.
'Kin! L o o k o u t ! ' T h e v o i c e w a s Tesa's. T h e a l i e n s w e r e far t o o b i g t o c o m e o n b o a r d t h e h u m a n s ' s h i p .

K i n s a w h e r j u m p t h r o u g h t h e force-field. A s t r e a m f r o m h e r Instead, t h e y c r e a t e d a force-field bridge between the two

atomic g u n r e m o v e d t h e h e a d of t h e robot that h a d shot him. Five s h i p s . I t w a s c o n n e c t e d t o t h e Voyager's o u t e r a i r - l o c k .

m o r e o f h i s f r i e n d s f o l l o w e d Tesa, e a c h o n e h o l d i n g a n a t o m i c g u n . T e s a f o u n d a m e d i c i n e s t o r e a n d f i x e d Kin's l e g , t h e n t h e y

T h e robots didn't stand a chance. Attacked from b e h i n d , led Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja to t h e air-lock. Tesa o p e n e d it.

t h e y h a d n o o r d e r s t o shoot a t o t h e r h u m a n s . A s t h e last r o b o t In front of t h e m w a s a force-field like a t h i n s k i n s e p a r a t i n g t h e

fell b e n e a t h h i s f r i e n d s ' q u i c k s h o o t i n g - t h e y all h a d p l e n t y
of c o m p u t e r g a m e e x p e r i e n c e - Kin t u r n e d to Ssk-kja-lln-sss-
kja-llss-kaja.
T h e y o u n g alien was hiding, deep inside the sleeping place.
T h e t h o u g h t s c o m i n g f r o m i t w e r e o f fear.
K i n t o u c h e d i t s c o m m u n i c a t o r t e n t a c l e . It is safe.
Tesa f o l l o w e d , j o i n i n g Kin. T h e c r e a t u r e still s e e m e d s c a r y t o
h e r . I t w a s s o b i g a n d t h e y w e r e s o little. "We m u s t h u r r y ! ' s h e said.
A s t h e y e n t e r e d t h e c o n t r o l r o o m , Kin l o o k e d a r o u n d a t t h e
f l i g h t c r e w o n t h e floor. Tesa h a d t o l d h i m e v e r y t h i n g t h a t h a d
t w o s h i p s ' e n v i r o n m e n t s . O n t h e h u m a n s ' s i d e w a s air; o n t h e
aliens' side was water. T h e aliens w e r e able to survive in b o t h .
Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja m o v e d t o w a r d s t h e skin. T h e n
h e l o o k e d b a c k a t Kin a n d Tesa. H i s feelings w e r e w a r m ; t h e y
ould sense them. T h e n quickly, he dived t h r o u g h the skin.
T h e y w a t c h e d h i m s w i m away.
Tesa m o v e d c l o s e r t o K i n . ' W h a t n o w ? '
A g i a n t ' v o i c e ' s u d d e n l y filled t h e i r m i n d s . I t w a s t h e s i n g l e
h o u g h t o f all t h e a l i e n s . Come.
Kin a n d Tesa l o o k e d a t e a c h o t h e r n e r v o u s l y .
Do not be afraid, t h e v o i c e s a i d .

« 62 » « 63 »
 T h e i r f r i e n d s w a t c h e d a s K i n a n d Tesa p u t o n s u i t s for g o i n g We need you to help us, K i n s a i d .
o u t s i d e t h e ship. 'Good l u c k / o n e of t h e girls said. T h e l e a d e r l o o k e d at t h e m . Do not worry, little ones. Go back
Tesa t o o k Kin's h a n d . ' S h a l l w e g o ? ' to your ship. Your people's minds are already freed.
He nodded. For Kin a n d Tesa, t h e feeling t h a t c a m e w i t h t h e t h o u g h t s
T o g e t h e r t h e y s t e p p e d t h r o u g h t h e force-field s k i n . was one of being bathed in the most beautiful colours.
We will send your ship safely home, t h e alien leader said.
T h e a l i e n s w e r e w a i t i n g for t h e m . I n a n e n o r m o u s p l a c e , s o b i g K i n s m i l e d . H e s a w Tesa s m i l i n g i n s i d e h e r h e l m e t t o o .
t h a t K i n a n d Tesa c o u l d n ' t s e e t h e far s i d e , t h e a l i e n s f l o a t e d i n One day in the future, we shall come to your planet. All of our
t h e i r t h o u s a n d s . T h e smallest o n e s w e r e similar i n size t o Ssk- people shall be friends.
k j a - l l n - s s s - k j a - l l s s - k a j a , b u t m o s t w e r e far b i g g e r . T h e creature's g r e a t t e n t a c l e rose u p a n d t h e y t o u c h e d it.
You saved our child, the thought came. It was from the The universe is a beautiful place, little friends. We are glad to
largest of t h e aliens - a c r e a t u r e a h u n d r e d times larger t h a n have found you.
any animal they knew. T h e other aliens moved aside as it came
closer.
T h e creature's tentacles waved around them. W e thank you.
Unlike Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja, the adults didn't n e e d
to make contact to communicate. Their minds were stronger. It
wasn't necessary to explain things. They understood.
We saw your battle with the robots, t h e alien said.
Our parents — the adults on our ship are hurt, K i n t h o u g h t in
reply.
We know.
I n h i s m i n d , K i n p i c k e d u p t h e f e e l i n g for ' s o r r y ' . T h e a l i e n s
hadn't meant to cause harm. It was because the h u m a n adults
fought them.
T h e giant alien e x p l a i n e d h o w Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja
a n d his p a r e n t s ' s p a c e s h i p h a d b e c o m e lost. Ssk-kja-lln-sss-
k j a - l l s s - k a j a ' s p a r e n t s w e r e e x p l o r e r s . I t w a s t h e first t i m e a n y
of their ships had visited this galaxy.
In the universe there are many creatures with intelligence. Not
all are friendly. We did not know if we could trust you.
Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja appeared, swimming up near
t h e m , t i n y b e s i d e t h e g i a n t a l i e n . Friends.
Yes. T h e t h o u g h t w a s r e p e a t e d b y all t h e a l i e n s .

« 64 » « 65 »
 B. Circle T for true or F for false for these sentences.
Activities 1.
2.
Kin w a s small for h i s age.
T h e r e w e r e e i g h t r o b o t s on Explorer One.
T
T
/
/
F
F
3. C o m m a n d e r Zen t o l d Kin to go i n t o t h e cave. T / F
Chapters 1, 2 and 3 4. As Kin s t e p p e d o n t o t h e g r o u n d , ash rose u p . T / F
Before you read
C. Complete these sentences.
A. Look at the picture on page 5 and circle the correct answers. 1. Dastar w a s t h e chief scientist in c h a r g e of .
1 . W h e n d o y o u t h i n k t h i s s t o r y t a k e s place? 2. T h e c o m m a n d e r of Explorer One w a s Kin's .
a. in t h e p a s t b. in t h e p r e s e n t c. in t h e f u t u r e 3. Kin w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for a h o l o g r a p h i c .
2 . W h i c h w o r d d e s c r i b e s best t h e look o n t h e boy's face? 4. Kin c o u l d h e a r t h e a d v a n c e t e a m o v e r h i s h e l m e t .
a. e x c i t e d b. afraid c. m i s e r a b l e
D. Write short answers to these questions.
B. Find these words in your dictionary. Use them in the sentences.
1 . H o w l o n g ago h a d t h e e n v i r o n m e n t o n E a r t h b e e n d e s t r o y e d ?
temperature advanced robots anti
1. At t h e s t a r t of w i n t e r , we p u t freeze in o u r car. 2. After l e a v i n g t h e s t a r s h i p , w h a t d i d Explorer One go t o w a r d s ?
2. I'll set t h e o v e n t o t h e r i g h t for b a k i n g t h e cake.
3. O n l y t h e best s t u d e n t s w e r e c h o s e n for t h e class. 3 . H o w m a n y r o b o t s d i d C o m m a n d e r Zen s e n d i n t o t h e cave first?
4. T h e factory u s e s t o p u t t o g e t h e r t h e n e w cars.
4 . W h a t t y p e o f g u n d i d C o m m a n d e r Zen s h o o t ?
C. Listen to Track 3 on CD 1 and answer these questions.
1. W h i c h e x p l o r a t i o n v e h i c l e w a s Kin in?
a. Explorer One b. Voyager LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
2 . H o w m a n y e x p l o r a t i o n vehicles flew o u t o f t h e s t a r s h i p ? A. Circle the correct verb forms in these sentences.
a. o n e b . six 1. T h e s c i e n t i s t s collecting / h a d collected lots of c r e a t u r e s .
3 . W h o w a s t h e pilot o f t h e e x p l o r a t i o n v e h i c l e Kin w a s in? 2. T h e y h a d d i s c o v e r e d / w e r e d i s c o v e r e d a n e w life form.
a. A l d e b a r a n 4 b. M a x x o n 3. The living cloud spread / spreading over t h e vehicle.
4. Kin felt / was felt h i s b l o o d go cold.
After you read
B. Write the missing letters to make words from Chapters 1, 2
COMPREHENSION and 3.
A. Circle the correct answers. 1. _ 1 n 3. cr t _ r _
1. W h a t w a s t h e n a m e of t h e Voyager's h o m e p l a n e t ? 2. m _ n s t _ r 4. 1 _ f _ f_rm
a. Kin Zen b. Epsilon c. D a s t a r
2. W h o was the d a u g h t e r of the starship's captain? WHAT DO YOU T H I N K ?
a. Tesa b. Elaath c. Utagao Listen to C h a p t e r s 1, 2 a n d 3 on t h e CD. Do y o u t h i n k e v e r y o n e
3 . W h a t k i n d o f star w a s A l d e b a r a n ? will get b a c k on Explorer One safely? W h y or w h y n o t ?
a. a K - t y p e g i a n t star b. an o c t o p u s - l i k e star
c. an E a r t h - l i k e star
4 . H o w m a n y legs d i d t h e b a t t l e r o b o t have?
a. o n e b. t w o c. t h r e e

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 B. Circle T for true or F for false for these sentences.
Chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7 1. T h e c r e a t u r e c o u l d b r e a k t h r o u g h force-fields. T / F
2. A z t a n t r was a part-robot doctor. T / F
Before you read 3. Voyager c o u l d stay on A l d e b a r a n 4 forever. T / F
A. Answer these questions about the story so far. 4. Kin's father t h o u g h t t h a t t h e c r e a t u r e w a s b e a u t i f u l . T / F
1 . W h o h a d g o n e i n t o t h e cave?
C. Complete these sentences.
a. C o m m a n d e r Zen, H i z r e d a n d Utagao
1. T h e c r e a t u r e ' s h e a d h a d o n e eye a n d no •
b . M a x x o n a n d H i z r e d c . Vorchel a n d Elaath
2. Tesa's d a n c e class w a s in a r o o m w i t h z e r o - .
2 . W h e n Kin saw t h e p e o p l e c o m e o u t o f t h e cave, w h a t w e r e t h e y
doing? 3. C a p t a i n Tesjak h a d a r o b o t •
4. Kin a n d h i s father w e n t to t h e zoo in an a n t i - g r a v i t y .
a. examining rocks b. writing notes
c . r u n n i n g from s o m e t h i n g D. Write short answers to these questions.
B. Find these words in your dictionary. Use them in the sentences. 1 . W h o s h o u t e d a t t h e c r e a t u r e , ' H e r e ! O v e r h e r e ! Look t h i s
way!'?
brain germs inhabit laboratory
1. O u r n e w science t e a c h e r n e a r l y b l e w up o u r . 2 . H o w l o n g w a s Kin asleep i n t h e h o s p i t a l ?
2. S t r a n g e fish t h e b o t t o m of t h e o c e a n .
3. It is i m p o r t a n t to k e e p h o s p i t a l s free of . 3 . W h a t d i d Captain Tesjak say w a s o n e r a y o f h o p e ?
4. It t a k e s a g o o d to solve difficult p u z z l e s .
4 . W h a t h a d t h e c r e a t u r e d o n e t o its a r m i n t h e cage i n t h e zoo?
C. Listen to Track 4 on CD 1 and answer these questions.
1. W h a t covered most of the thing's body?
a. a s h b. a shell
LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
2 . W h a t d i d Kin p a s s u p t o Vorchel?
A. Read the meanings below. Then write the words from Chapters
a. the ladder b. the recorder
3. W h i c h crew member did the creature catch? 4, 5, 6 and 7.
a. C o m m a n d e r Zen b. Utagao 1. to g i v e a n d r e c e i v e i n f o r m a t i o n : c
2. to be in c o m m a n d of s o m e t h i n g : c
3. a soft sea c r e a t u r e w i t h t e n t a c l e s : j
After you read
4. to d e s t r o y by h i t t i n g h a r d : s
COMPREHENSION
B. Write the missing letters to make words from Chapters 4, 5, 6
A. Circle the correct answers.
and 7.
1 . W h o w a s o n b o a r d t h e e x p l o r e r w h e n i t p l o u g h e d i n t o t h e ash?
1. sc n t _ st 3. d _ ct _ r
a. Kin b. Utagao c. M a x x o n
2. p _ 1 _ t 4. c _ p t n
2. W h a t w a s u s e d to c r e a t e a cage for t h e c r e a t u r e ?
a. a force-field b. laser g u n s c. t e n t a c l e s
3. W h o was Kov-Nuri? W H A T D O YOU THINK?

a. a r o b o t b. a n u r s e c. Kin's father Listen to C h a p t e r s 4, 5, 6 a n d 7 on t h e CD. Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e

4. H o w big w a s t h e c r e a t u r e ' s cage in t h e Voyager's zoo? c r e a t u r e i s evil? W h y o r w h y n o t ?
a. as big as t h e cave it c a m e from b. as big as a small city
c. a b o u t t h e size of a s i x t y - m e t r e air-ball c o u r t

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« 68 »
 B. Circle T for true or F for false for these sentences.
Chapters 8, 9 and 10 1. Tesa said t h a t science w a s all a b o u t s o l v i n g m y s t e r i e s . T / F
Before you read 2. Kin t h o u g h t t h e c r e a t u r e l o o k e d h a p p y in t h e cage. T / F
3. Young p e o p l e w e r e n ' t affected by t h e c r e a t u r e . T / F
A. Answer these questions about the story so far. 4. The creature was human. T / F
1 . W h a t c o n d i t i o n w a s t h e c r e a t u r e in?
a. healthy b. anxious a n d unhealthy c. dead C. Complete these sentences.
2 . W h y w a s i t i m p o r t a n t t o k e e p t h e c r e a t u r e alive? 1. Tesa w a s w e e k s a h e a d w i t h h e r .
a. Because it w a s beautiful, b. So t h a t it c o u l d be e a t e n , 2. T h e air-jet in t h e zoo w a s u s u a l l y for c l e a n i n g .
c. So t h a t t h e s c i e n t i s t s c o u l d l e a r n h o w it w a s affecting t h e 3. T h e c a p t a i n said, 'Sacrifice t h e few to p r o t e c t .'
people. 4. Aztantr and the group with him were dressed to enter
a hostile .
B. Find these words in your dictionary. Use them in the sentences.
D. Write short answers to these questions.
warning emergency trusted feelings
1 . W h o w e n t w i t h Kin t o see t h e c r e a t u r e i n its cage?
1 . W h e n h e r f r i e n d s l a u g h e d a t h e r idea, i t h u r t Sarah's
a n d s h e got u p s e t . 2. H o w m a n y light y e a r s away from Epsilon w a s t h e Voyager!
2 . T h e family t h e vet t o c u r e t h e i r sick p e t .
3 . T h e r e w a s little before t h e s t o r m h i t t h e village. 3 . W h o w a n t e d t o see Kin a n d Tesa after t h e y ' d b e e n i n t h e zoo?
4. Look! Police a n d firefighters! T h e r e m u s t be an .
4. If t h e c r e a t u r e , n o t a g e r m , w a s t h e c a u s e of t h e illness on
C. Listen to Track 5 on CD 1 and answer these questions.
b o a r d t h e Voyager, w h a t w o u l d t h e c a p t a i n do?
1 . W h a t filled Kin's m i n d w h e n t h e c r e a t u r e l o o k e d a t h i m ?
a. t e n t a c l e s b. s t r a n g e c o l o u r s
2. W h a t said, 'Human get back!'!
a. t h e c r e a t u r e b. a r o b o t LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES

3. W h e r e was the creature? A. Change these phrases to the past tense.

a. i n s i d e t h e cage b. b e h i n d Kin 1. can't h e l p
2. is d r o w n i n g
After you read 3. can fly
4. don't recognise
COMPREHENSION
B. Use these letters to make words from Chapters 8, 9 and 10. The
A. Circle the correct answers.
1. After t h e j u m p to star speed, h o w did t h e ship's e n g i n e s behave? first letter is given for each word.
a. p e r f e c t l y b. s t r o n g l y c. s t r a n g e l y 1. b o o t r : r 3. r e t u p m o c : c
2 . W h e r e w a s t h e c r e a t u r e r e s t i n g w h e n Kin a n d Tesa a r r i v e d ? 2. e h i n c a m : m 4. a r e m a c : c
a. in its s l e e p i n g place b. on a float-bed
c. n e a r t h e front of t h e cage W H A T D O YOU T H I N K ?
3 . W h a t d i d t h e force-field feel like u n d e r Kin's fingers? Listen to C h a p t e r s 8, 9 a n d 10 on t h e CD. Do y o u t h i n k t h a t Kin
a. h a r d b. soft c. slimy a n d Tesa will b e able t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e c r e a t u r e ?
4 . W h a t n a m e w a s g i v e n t o Kin's scientist father i n r e s p e c t ?
a. N u r i b. Tesjak c. Epsilon

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 B. Circle T for true or F for false for these sentences.
Chapters 1 1 , 12, 13 and 14 1. Tesa w a s a l l o w e d to go b a c k to t h e zoo w i t h Kin. T / F
Before you read 2. J a d Ur w a s a m a n . T / F
3. T h e alien s h i p h a d b e e n s e a r c h i n g for t h e c r e a t u r e . T / F
A. Look at the picture on page 52 and circle the correct answers. 4. Kin w a s s h o t in t h e leg by a r o b o t . T / F
1. W h a t is h a p p e n i n g on the screen?
a. Kin is r u n n i n g from t h e c r e a t u r e , b. T h e c r e a t u r e is C. Complete these sentences.
a t t a c k i n g Kin. c. Kin is g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e force-field. 1. Kin w i s h e d he'd t e s t e d t h e t r a n s l a t o r first on t h e .
2 . H o w are t h e p e o p l e r e a c t i n g t o w h a t t h e y are seeing? 2. Kin saw a p i c t u r e of a s p a c e s h i p b u r i e d .
a . T h e y are a l a r m e d , b . T h e y are a m u s e d , c . T h e y are b o r e d . 3. Ssk-kja-lln-sss-kja-llss-kaja w a s t h e n a m e of .
4. The robots had no orders to shoot at other .
B. Find these words in your dictionary. Use them in the sentences.
translator survive crater taken over D. Write short answers to these questions.
1 . W h a t w a s C a p t a i n Tesjak's ' R u l e O n e ' ?
1. After he'd t h e c o m p a n y , he h i r e d n e w staff.
2 . It's h a r d t o in the desert w i t h o u t water. 2. W h a t h a d affected t h e Voyager's star d r i v e ?
3. Because s h e s p o k e four l a n g u a g e s , Sofia c o u l d w o r k as a
for t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s .
3 . H o w l o n g w e r e Tesa's j u m p s i n t h e l o w g r a v i t y passage?
4 . T h e m o o n ' s largest c a n b e seen from E a r t h .

C. Listen to Track 6 on CD 1 and answer these questions. 4 . W h a t d i d t h e aliens c r e a t e b e t w e e n t h e t w o s h i p s ?

1. W h a t w a s a sign t h a t Kin w a s n e r v o u s ?
a. His h e a r t w a s b e a t i n g fast. b. He l o o k e d up at t h e c r e a t u r e .
2 . W h a t w o r d d i d Kin first t r y t o c o m m u n i c a t e t o t h e c r e a t u r e ? LANGUAGE ACTIVITIES
a. friend b. a t t a c k A Write the missing letters to make words from Chapters 11, 12,
3 . H o w d i d t h e w o r d s c o m e t o Kin? 13 and 14.
a. t h r o u g h t h e creature's tentacle b. t h r o u g h t h e translator 1. t h ghts 3. s _ ns _ s
2. f 1 _ ngs 4. b _ h _ v r
After you read
B Match each word with its opposite from Chapters 11, 12, 13
COMPREHENSION and 14.
A. Circle the correct answers. 1. o p e n i n g weaker
1 . W h o d r o v e d o w n t o t h e zoo w i t h Kin? 2. f r i e n d s everything
a. Tesa b. Kin's father c. Tesa's f a t h e r 3. s t r o n g e r closing
2 . W h a t p a r t o f t h e c r e a t u r e n e e d e d t o m a k e direct c o n t a c t w i t h 4. n o t h i n g enemies
Kin s o t h a t t h e c r e a t u r e c o u l d s e n d its t h o u g h t s clearly?
a. its eye b. its s u c k i n g t e n t a c l e c. its m o u t h W H A T D O YOU THINK?
3 . After t h e alien s h i p a p p e a r e d , w h o w a s t h e o n l y o n e left L i s t e n to C h a p t e r s 1 1 , 12, 13 a n d 14 on t h e CD. Do y o u t h i n k t h a t
standing in the control room? the aliens were intelligent creatures? W h y or w h y not?
a. J a d Ur b. Kin c. Tesa
4. W h a t was the only part of a guard robot that was not protected?
a. its foot b. its f o r e h e a d c. its eye

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Glossary
adj. a d j e c t i v e ; n. n o u n ; v. v e r b
(Sci-fi. = a s c i e n c e fiction t e r m )
a d v a n c e d / a d ' v a m s t / adj. v e r y h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d
a l i e n / ' e i l j a n / n. Sci-fi. a c r e a t u r e t h a t is n o t from t h e p l a n e t
Earth
adj. n o t from t h e p l a n e t E a r t h
a n g e r /'aerjga/ n . t h e feeling o f b e i n g a n g r y
a n t i - /'aenti/ a p r e f i x m e a n i n g ' a g a i n s t ' — u s e d h e r e i n ' a n t i -
gravity'
b e h a v i o u r /bi'heivja/ n. t h e way a person or an animal acts
b i o l o g y / b a i h l a d s i / n. the s t u d y of living things
b r a i n /brem/ n. the part of the body that controls thought,
feeling a n d m o v e m e n t
c a d e t / k a ' d e t / n. a y o u n g p e r s o n w h o is being t r a i n e d to be a
m i l i t a r y officer
c h e c k / t J e k / n . t h e act o f l o o k i n g a t s o m e t h i n g t o m a k e s u r e t h a t
it is w o r k i n g correctly
civilisation /.sivalai'zeijh/ n. the ordered and structured way
t h a t large n u m b e r s o f p e o p l e live t o g e t h e r
c o l l e c t / k a ' l e k t / v. to g a t h e r a n u m b e r of t h i n g s t o g e t h e r for a
particular purpose
c o m m u n i c a t i o n /ka.mjuini'keijh/ n. the activity of sending and
receiving information a n d feelings
c o m m u n i c a t o r / k a ' m j u : n i , k e i t a / n. Sci-fi. a d e v i c e t h a t p e o p l e
use to communicate with each other
c o n t r o l /kan'traul/ n. the instruments that people use to
o p e r a t e a v e h i c l e or s p a c e s h i p
v . t o b e able t o m a k e s o m e t h i n g d o w h a t
you want it to do
c r a t e r / ' k r e i t a / n. a large r o u n d h o l e on t h e s u r f a c e of a p l a n e t
c r e a t u r e /'kri:t Ja/ n. an animal
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d e a t h / d e 0 / n . t h e e n d o f life
d e t e c t o r / d i ' t e k t a / n. an i n s t r u m e n t t h a t is u s e d to f i n d o u t if a
c e r t a i n t h i n g is in a p l a c e
d i t c h /ditjV n . a l o n g , n a r r o w h o l e i n t h e g r o u n d
d u g /dAg/ p a s t p a r t i c i p l e o f d i g v . t o m a k e a h o l e i n t h e g r o u n d
e m e r g e n c y /i'm3:d3(a)nsi/ n. a s u d d e n , d a n g e r o u s situation that
people have to respond to quickly
e n t e r / ' e n t a / v. to go in
e n t r a n c e / ' e n t r a n s / n. t h e way in to a place
e n v i r o n m e n t / m ' v a i r a n m a n t / n . t h e c o n d i t i o n s — air, w a t e r ,
t e m p e r a t u r e , e t c - of a p l a c e
e x i t / ' e k s i t / n. t h e act of l e a v i n g a c e r t a i n p l a c e
e x p l o r a t i o n / . e k s p l a ' r e i f n / n . t h e act o f t r a v e l l i n g i n a n e w p l a c e
t o f i n d o u t w h a t i t i s like
f a u l t /f a i l t / n. a c r a c k in t h e s u r f a c e of a p l a n e t
feeler /'fhla/ a p a r t o n t h e b o d y o f a n a n i m a l (for e x a m p l e , a n
i n s e c t ) t h a t i t u s e s t o feel t h i n g s
f e e l i n g /'fkhrj/ n. an emotional or physical sensation that is
usually a reaction to something that has h a p p e n e d
f o r c e - f i e l d /fo:s fi:ld/ n. Sci-fi. an i n v i s i b l e p r o t e c t i v e s h i e l d
g a l a x y /'gaelaksi/ n . t h o u s a n d s a n d t h o u s a n d s o f s t a r s i n a g r o u p
g e r m / d 3 3 : m / n . a v e r y small l i v i n g t h i n g t h a t c a n c a u s e d i s e a s e
g i a n t / ' d 3 a i a n t / adj. v e r y large
g r a v i t y / ' g r a e v a t i / n . t h e p h y s i c a l force t h a t a t t r a c t s o b j e c t s t o
one a n o t h e r (and pulls people towards the centre of a planet)
h e l m e t /'helmit/ n. a hard hat w o r n to protect the head
h o l o g r a p h i c /,hDla'gra;fik/ adj. m a k i n g a t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l
picture of something
h o s t i l e / ' h n s t a i l / adj. n o t f r i e n d l y ; r e a d y t o f i g h t
h u m a n / ' h j u : m a n / n. a person
adj. h a v i n g t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of a p e r s o n
i n h a b i t / m ' h a e b i t / v. to live in a p a r t i c u l a r p l a c e
i n j u r e /'ind3a/ v. to h u r t
i n j u r y /'ind3ari/ n. damage to an animal's or a person's b o d y
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i n t e l l i g e n c e /in'telid3(a)ns/ n. the ability to think, learn and
understand
i n t e l l i g e n t /in'telid3(a)nt/ adj. having the ability to think, learn
and understand
jellyfish /'d3eli,fij/ n. a sea animal that has a soft round body
and long tentacles
l a b o r a t o r y /la'bnrat(a)ri/ n. a room where scientists do their
work
l a n d s c a p e /'lasnd.skeip/ n. what you can see when you look
across a wide area of land
laser /'leiza/ n. a very strong narrow beam of light
l i g h t year /lait jia/ n. the distance that light travels in one year
(a very long distance)
l u m p /lAmp/ n. a big piece of something; a big round shape
m o n s t e r /'monsta/ n. an imaginary creature that is big and
frightening
n a t u r a l /'naet f(a)ral/ adj. made by the forces and elements of
nature, not by people; normal, usual
n a t u r e /'neitjV n. the forces and elements of the world that has
not been made by people
o b s e r v e /ab'z3:v/ v. to watch what is happening
q u a r a n t i n e /'k\VDran,ti:n/ n. a place where people, animals or
plants are kept separate from others for a time in case they are
carrying a disease
ray /rei/ n. a beam of light or other energy
r e c o r d /n'ko:d/ v. to keep information (in the form of words,
numbers, pictures, etc) so that it can be used later
r o b o t /'rao,bnt/ n. a machine that does work that humans would
otherwise have to do
scare /skea/ v. to make a person or animal frightened
scared /skead/ adj. frightened, afraid
scary /'skeari/ adj. frightening
scientist /'saiantist/ n. a person whose job is to study the
natural and physical world
« 76 »
screen /skrkn/ n. a flat thing that a picture can be shown on
sense /sens/ v. to become aware of something
n. a feeling about something; the ways in which you
become aware of something, for example, sight, hearing etc.
s l i m e /slaim/ n. a wet, slippery substance
s m a s h /smasf/ v. to break something by hitting it
s p a c e s h i p /'speisjip/ n. a vehicle that can travel through space
s u c k /sAk/ v. to draw something out of another thing
s u c k e r /'sAka/ n. part of an animal or a plant that it uses to suck
or hold on to things
s u r v i v e /sa'vaiv/ v. to live through a dangerous situation or in a
dangerous environment
s y s t e m /'sistam/ n. a group of planets around a star; a network
of things working together
t a k e over /teik 'aova/ v. to take control of something
t e m p e r a t u r e / ' t e m p n . t j a / n. a measure of the amount of heat in
a thing or place
t e n t a c l e /'tentakl/ n. a long thin part of the body of an animal
(for example, an octopus) that it uses to feel and hold things
t r a n s l a t o r /traens'leita/ n. Sci-fi. a device that translates from
one language to another
t r u s t /trAst/ v. to believe that a person is honest and will do the
right thing
t y p e /taip/ n. kind, of a group of things that are the same in
some way
u n i v e r s e /'ju:ni,v3:s/ n. all the stars and planets, and all the
space in between them
v i e w /vju:/ n. what you can see when you look from a particular
place
w a r n i n g /'wa'nirj/ n. something (for example, a sound) that lets
people know that something dangerous is soon going to
happen
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