KNAPP 15 SYNTHETIC HUMANOIDS. SF by Alfred Juillet Frascara. October 11, 2009 to Sunday, June 16, 2013. EMRM. 72.

075 words Epoch: From 3772 to 3789 Common Era. Places: Knapp planet / Tuberon planet. Fagakon, Earth, Mars,Europa, Hobobern 3, X 3. Characters; Captain Shilar from the space freighter Kongovelga. First Officer Chinfong. Miss Patrice, her mother Salvia and his fiance Dulles Moriat Vendor from the factory Rising Sun Industries: Mr. Ki Fuson professor Fudge and his students: Mary, Eleonor, Cantogar, Fishburn, Gotogo and Askiforgion. CHAPTERS. CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN Fighting their way to Fagakon Malfunction in mid space. Hobobern City Horse Head Nebula Planet III Horse Head Nebula Director Shafer work camp Exploring with Sampsons team The expedition of Miss Josella Knowing the planet 3. The space tug boat. Laisa. Hopro 3 The Spinosaurus Aegypticus. Rat City Captain Sarcina.

Chapter One. Fighting their way to Fagakon. Shilar was hoping the cargo bay would be enough for the cargo he just said he could carry to Holobarnio 3; there were enough people there to see if he try to dump the exceeding- there were lots of stuff on those craters- enough for this Company to make more money than they already had. Guess the cargo will be replenished before long, Chief. Why dont we use the cabins? We could sleep in mid air, as you know it.- Chinfong said, with his singsong voice.

Of course; tell them if they cannot put more boxes on the main hold.- Shilar said, in low tones- he was not going to show he was nervous. It was then that one of the clients come to him and said: well, guess you have a nice spaceship, Captain Shilar! Our cargo is in the best of hands. Shilar was not sure if the guy was joking or what, so he just grumbled. The man smiled and went away, walking by the pavement of the Chicago Spaceport. Wish they all go the same way that man is going now.- Shilar said, and soon the rest of the clients follow that solitary man: the spaceship was ready to depart. See, chief? The cabins are full of merchandise now; we could sleep on the corridors or perhaps on our seats- at the main cabin.- Chinfong said, rubbing his hands. Well, guess Ill be more worried when traveling than I suppose! The new nacelles are not too reliable.- Shilar said, remembering the old ones- made in Earth, not like this new ones, made in Fagakon, the planet at Orion Delta, where they were shipping cheap products to all the Federation of planets. Yes, they are! I read a leaflet saying this are improved. The old ones were not reliable.- Chinfong said, defending Fagakon products- because, mainly, the populace there was extracted from China (Earth) and were working day and night to improve those colonies in outer space. Well see when flying away! By the way, have you the course ready?- Captain Shilar asked. Yes! The main computer made a fine route to Holobarnio 3! Youll be surprised when knowing the necessary fuel will be negligible!- Chinfong said. Dont tell me we are going to travel out twisting our course around planets and stars from here to there! Plenty of troubles could come from stray asteroids! Captain Shilar said, remembering how so many spaceships were smashed to pieces when finding huge rocks in their way. Captain Shilar went to sleep, while Chinfong was in guard; he arrives to a corridors end, where he takes his dinner from food canes; he was not able to buy the expensive food processors. When he finished his meal he gets inside a net, not to wander asleep in mid air. He soon was asleep, with the several tiny grinding noises the spaceship does usually. Hours later, he was awakening by his Assistants voice, who was saying: Captain! Theres someone here who wishes to speak to you! He saw a beautiful lady looking at him with wide eyes; Shilar realized he was hanging head downward, attached to the net that really prevents him to drift through the corridor while asleep. He yanked at the net, and he bumped his head in the process; he stands at a corner, enraged with Chinfong who was looking at him patiently. Good morning, Captain Shilar! I am Patrice Herbion, Lawyer. I wish to travel to Holobarnion 3 with my mother and other person.- Said the lady. This ship is not intended to make commercial flights, being not a Liner, but a Freighter. Also, we have no spare cabins for you or any other passengers, Lady. Shilar said. His Assistant intervened, saying: Pity you cannot take them on this flight, Captain! She is offering eight million Credits. Shilar said: Well, I am not too interested in it. - That he said, knowing that the cheapest Liner asked seven million Credits to each passenger for that distance,

and Freighters asks half the sum- for one passenger- and the Lady was talking of three of them. Chinfong added: For each of them! Shilar was surprised- this woman was really In a hurry to leave the planet or she could wait for the next Liner. And why dont you buy tickets in a commercial flight? Too much luggage?Shilar asked. She promptly replied: the next trip on a commercial flight is scheduled for six weeks later! And we need to be at Holobarnium 3 in a hurry! I cant refuse your money, Miss Herbion! But I have no cabins whatsoever!Captain Shilar explained, gesturing with his open hands. We could lodge them at the Infirmary, Captain! In any case, we dont have a Nurse.- Chinfong proposed. Very well! Show her the place! If she likes it, the deal its donned.- Shilar accepted the suggestion. Thanks you, Captain! I appreciate this, as we are in a hurry to depart.- Miss Patrice Herbion said, warmly. She was happy to have found a way to leave the planet Earth in a hurry. Her mother was waiting at the Pinera Hotel, and she receives the new with pleasure, saying: I knew you will find a way! When shall we depart? The first officer told me that they are about to depart! So please, mum, take all the valises with you when coming to the Space Port with Dulles. Oh! He went out a couple of hours, now! I will wait for his return, and then well be heading there.- Mistress Slavia said. Patrice was very nervous and went to the Hotel to pick up her mother and her fiance to the Space Port; she was afraid the Captain could take off in the spaceship without her; at the lock, he tells Chinfong not to depart until her return. Dont you worry, Lady! We will wait for you.- Chinfong said, smiling- he was sure the Captain was not able to take off yet- lots of payments to make, before the Control Tower could permits him to go. Shilar was already paying, using the computer in line; his Bank account receives the payments and now he was looking how almost every Credit was going out to his Creditors Five hours later, Patrice returns with her mother and her fianc, Mr. Dulles Moriat. What a filthy place!- Her mother, Mistress Slavia, said, while looking at the corridor from the Lock. It looks worst by the inside!- Dullers Moriat said, sniffing at the air- that smelled to hot oil. Well, mother and Dulles! Its the only thing I found available! Or do you prefer to wait for a spaceship?- Patrice asked them. Well, no! I want to see my cabin.- Mistress Salvia said, who was rather fat and she was feeling tired already. Wait here! I must call someone to show us our quarters.- Patrice said, walking by the corridor; she was feeling horrible; her mother was going to dislike the Infirmary where they told her to lodge during the flight. He peek on several rooms, all of them empty, and suddenly Chinfong appears, with a greasy face, by another corridor.

You! Tell us where to leave the valises! My mother has arrived.- Patrice said to the man. Of course, lady! Sorry Im a bit occupied right now! Some trouble appears, down at the shaft; but dont worry about it! Minor details, no more! Follow me!Chinfong said, leading the way; soon they were at the Lock where the valises were piled up while Mistress Salvia and Mr. Moriat were looking tired. Lady ! Please follow me, you too, gentleman! Your cabin is ready.- Chinfong said, smiling; the aforementioned people follow him by the half lit corridor; after some thirty meters, they went up a ladder, and there Chinfong said: Voila, Ladies and gentleman! Your quarters! Put yourself at home! Ill be bringing here your valises! Nothing to worry about! (That last remark was directed at Patrice, who looks worried.) Mistress Salvia said: where is the cabin? Patrice looks around her- several iron beds attached to the roof were lined up against a wall; from the beams, some cords sustains curtains-Patrice understand she was on a Infirmary, so she takes a curtain and moves it, saying: This is our communal quarters! You could use that bed at the corner, I could use the next one, and you, dear, take the last bed facing the corridor! Mistress Salvia was spellbound, and asked in a thrill voice: This is our cabin? All together here, with a man in between? Not in between, mother! He is going to bed near the door!- Patrice said, sensing her own face was burning hot. Not in a million years! He must stay outside! Tell the Captain to place him somewhere else! I cannot sleep with a man on my bedroom! Not enough privacy, you know, nothing against you, dear Dulles!- Mistress Salvia said to the man. I wonder what is in your head, Patrice! How do you think we could travel in this pigeon hole! And smells queer! - Dulles said, looking outraged. Patrice went out to talk with the Captain, but instead of him, he found Chinfong again, running by a corridor. What is happening, First Officer?- She asked, alarmed. Nothing to worry about!- Chinfong said, screeching his feet on the metallic floor while stopping. My mother cannot sleep while with a man on her bedroom! Please find another place for my fiance!- Patrice asked him. Of course, Lady! Just stay with them, and Ill be with you in a minute!Chinfong said, running away. Patrice moved her head sidewise, thinking the First Officer was indeed a strange man. Chinfong was not to discuss the matter with the captain Shilar, now there was also trouble with the warp engines; one of them was completely fused before the start. He went to the communications room, and called to the Provider. Rising Sun Industries! Hoo Fong speaking!- A Chinese man said; he was dressed in a blue suit. Chinfong from the Congovelga Space Freighter! One of the warp engines failed! Send a technician right away! But- why it fails? They are tested and approved at the Factory!- The Vendor said. We are still under the Warranty service!- Chinfong exclaimed. All right, Ill tell the Technical Section for them to go there! - Hoo Fong said.

Please, hurry! My captain knows nothing about this failure, and I was very adamant when buying these engines to your Company! Out of our common heritage- China, do you understand?- Chinfong said. Of course, fellow countryman! Ill send the note right away.- Hoo Fong said. Chinfong ends the communication, and rubbed his chin; he was now having the lodging problem; perhaps a corridors end? Like the one his Captain Shilar was using? He went by the corridors, searching for a place; then he finds the small dressing room at the Lock- where supposedly the crew could change into the spatial suits- he takes the suits out of that place, and set a hammock between two beams; it has a door and a light on the ceiling, so it looks like a small room Chinfong takes the spatial suits to a corridor, and let them hanging from a cord; then he returns to the Infirmary- cum bedroom for ladies, and said: Miss Patrice, the cabin is ready for your friend. All right! I was tired of to wait.- Mr. Dulles Moriat said, in an harsh tone; Chinfong guided him and the Lady (who was chatting along with her fiance), and show the room he had prepared. Very small for a man my prestige!- Dulles said, looking at the hammock. You do not need clothes; this section is very warm.- Chinfong said, thinking that was truth only if the Lock was not open to the cold of outside the Freighter. Later, the technicians from the factory arrive, and with Chinfong worked all night on the malfunction, but at dawn one of them said: Impossible! We will never end this work without many spare parts we need and have not! Ill call for a new unit! But, you take four weeks when inserting this machine on the Kongovelga! And our Captain needs to take off soon!- Chinfong said. How soon?- Ki Fuson asked, looking troubled. In a week, I think! At the most! We have our cargo ready, and three passengers already lodging here!- Chinfong said. Tell them to go to a Hotel! No less than two months, to do the work we need! And the engine we must prepare, also! These are difficult things, you know?- Ki Fuson said. Of course! Well, have it your way! Captain Shilar will raise hell when knowing about this!- Chinfong said, with his hands around his half shaved head. Dont take it too harsh, companion! Have some patience! Lord Buddha helps you.- Ki Fuson said, and departed with his team of workers. Chinfong closed the lock and went to sleep on his cot, at the engine room; he takes the last look at the second (and busted) warp engine, and sighed good night At the Lock Section, Mr. Dulles Moriat was already snorting, with the bed opened; some rats were startled with the sound, so they didnt get inside of pure fright; at the Infirmary (now Miss Patrice and mothers bedroom) both ladies were asleep, while the air conditioning was providing pure air with a small extra amount of oxygen. Captain Shilar was also asleep, but not tied to a beam, as he was not using the zero gravity system to pass the night away; he was dreaming with girls, and he was spending huge amounts of money at the Roulette At the next morning, Chinfong tell the Captain about the failure and his negotiations with the provider. Shilar said: If they cannot help us right now, we

could ask for a refund and buy a second hand engine. Understand? Finkle sometimes has good bargains. Second hand? You mean you cant mean Finkle! That guy sells pure garbage! You know, he is always saying there are jewels on those Outlet sells, but for me, its junk!- Chinfong said earnestly. All right, smart guy! Perhaps you want to find a good engine by yourself? Be my guest.- Shilar said, maddening. I Can search, of course! But why we cannot wait? The freighter from Fagakon with new engines is just two months away!- Chinfong said. Too many days and nights, you moron! Find me a good second hand engine before noon, or Ill buy whatever Finkle has to offer!- Shilar said, going out of the main section. Chinfong has his quarter of hour trying to recover the money from Vendor Hoo Fong and later with the manager, Mr. Ching Dungoo. But the mother country will suffer with this rebuttal of yours!- Dungoo said. More the pity for your Company, that delivered faulty products to a honest worker like Captain Shilar and me! Give me my money back, or I will go to the Police and the cable news!- Chinfong said. Dungoo didnt scare their customers could go complaining against the Company to the Police, but yes indeed with bad propaganda, so he gives the money back without any further ado. Chinfong went to the old section at the Space Field, and then begin to search for someone selling warp engines- he found several dozens- the most common explanation was : Tired to be among the starstheir captains were planning to settle down and get a family life with some woman. But the prices werent cheap- the most of them were not selling engines but whole old spaceships! No matter how Chinfong explains he was only needing an engine, the proprietors of those old models insisted on selling the whole apparatus. Tired of to search, he returns to the Kongovelga, finding the passengers on the runway. What happens?- He asked, seeing they were with their valises on the floor. We want our money back! No way we could wait for months, when a Liner will arrive much sooner than that!- Miss Patrice said, red in the face. Very well! Talk with the captain!- Chinfong said, smiling. He doesnt want to give our money back! He is invoking some old rule that he invented! - Mistress Salvia said, mockingly. If he does not give us our money, Ill sue him!-Patrice said. Chinfong went to the main cabin, and there he was, seating and drinking from a bottle. Captain! Our passengers are enraged! They told me they are leaving the ship.- Chinfong said. Let them go! But the money I will not surrender.- Captain Shilar said. They are going to sue you for this!- Chinfong said. Dont you worry, Chinfong! I know they cannot do a thing against me, if I promise to take them where they want! We are facing a major problem here, a mechanical problem! I am not saying I will not take them away.- Shilar said. All right.- Chinfong said, and added: I find not a replacement, Sir.

Shilar takes another gulp at the bottle, and said: Bad omens flying around, Chinese friend of mine! Guess I will be searching for myself next time; of course, not today! I must finish this bottle of Bourbon, first. Youll get drunk.- Chinfong said. Of course; thats why I am drinking! Want some?- Shilar said. If its not too much of a problem, yes.- Chinfong said, and Shilar produced a not too clean glass, and poured some Bourbon there, handling it to his Assistant. Somebody said its good to have a freighter and visit the four corners of the Universe, trading goods! But you see, Chinfong, we are stuck in here, without engines.- Shilar said. Perhaps we could buy an engine to Mr. Finkle, Sir.- Chinfong said, after the second glass. Yeah! I told you so! Call the man; he could replace the engine with the gang he had on his store; I bet we could solve this problem in no time.- Shilar said. But well get others! Especially when traveling far; the old engines never go without some trouble.- Chinfong said. Its that or forgets about being space carriers.- Shilar said, yawning. The place was half lit, so it invites to sleep. Chinfong calls on Finkle, and the man said: 39.000 Credits for the replacement plus $20.000 for my team- hard work, in that old bathtub your master had as a freighter. The Kongovelga is no junk, mister!- Chinfong said, reddening. All right, dont get too fussy! Send the money to my account; the number its on the screen; then well be there to replace the engine.- Finkle said, and ends the communication. All right.- Chinfong said, and makes the deposit; a message appears minutes later, on the screen: Money received; team will be there in a trifle! Dont go away! That last was, of course, a joke from Finkle. Chinfong went out the spaceship, to wait for that team the weather was cold out there, and several spaceships were deploying from the field; dark clouds darkened the skies. He saw several airships carrying passengers to and fro the big Liners posed some 2 kilometers away, but which bulks could be noticeable from the distanceshining colors, with blinking lights all over. Patrice arrives at his side, saying: well, what are you going to do now? I pay the fares to you! As the captain seems to be a burglar, you should return me my money! I cannot do that, lady! I am the assistant of captain Shilar only! Seems you should take things with more calm! See, now we are waiting for a team who will put a new engine on the Kongovelga! Soon it will be ready to depart.Chinfong said. She looks at the china man not sure he was telling the truth, and asked: And how much time do you think it will pass before this Freighter could be moving along? It all depends, lady! Could be a couple of days or a couple of weeks! If the engine fits and its in good state, fine and good! But if not, modifications will come and that will consume time.- Chinfong said. Two weeks! At the most?- She asked, unsure of herself in her present situation.

Of course, lady! Could be two days, as I said! Patience!- Chinfong asked her for. All right! Ill stay in here! But the meals are lousy! Cannot you ask for better food- wherever you are finding it?- Patrice asked him. Of course, lady! Ill find better food! Do you not like Chinese food? It is the best in the world!- Chinfong asked. Not too much of my liking, but I can eat it! _ Patrice said going inside the spaceship again- Chinfong shrugged his shoulders and saw the aerial ship from Finkle Associated Company approach at top speed, make a curb and parked alongside the Kongovelga. Hi, Chinaman! Hows the robber of your chief!- A guy asked, jumping down the ladder. Good afternoon, Mr. Finkle! He was at the main cabin, the last time I saw him.Chinfong said. Show this guys the place, that I will go seeing that robber! Sure thing he is getting drunk!- Finkle said, jokingly- he was lean and tall, with a large face and sparkling black eyes. Lady Salvia appeared again, and said: this is absolutely outrageous! We are still stuck on the Solar System! I will complain about this whole delay to the authorities! Is it not some Inspector general or something, where to complain at this Space field?- Dulles asked. Yes, the Space faring Ministry.- Mistress Salvia replied. Chinfong said: We are going to leave the Solar System very soon! There is a team here that will replace the engine that failed.- Chinfong said. How much more time we had to wait for our trip to begin?- Dulles asked. Two weeks at the most, Sir! Perhaps only one.- Chinfong said. Hope so. Perhaps the meals could be improved a little.- Mistress Salvia asked. Chinfong only smiled- he was well aware of Captain Shilars complains about food wasted on passengers while in waiting for reparations. The Finkles team worked fast, while Captain Shilar was drinking Bourbon with Mr. Finkle at the main cabin. Your Assistant the Chinaman calls me and I left important business to come here to help. But I wonder why do you bought faulty engines from those guys at the Rising Sun Industries.- Finkle said, after the first gulp of liquor. My Assistant insisted me on the subject! I was convinced that once in a while, one of many Rising Sun engines works well! But I was mistaken.- Captain Shilar explains. Nonsense! Those engines are a fraud! I brought here a fine engine you will find very reliably for many a year.- Finkle said. Which one? Klinton or Bushe engines?- Captain Shilar asked, naming the cheapest on the market. Not those! This is a Zuspitzen! The best of the best! Made in Germany, of course.- Finkle said, raising a finger in the air. Oh, its a remarkable good engine! But, which model?- Captain Shilar asked. A Fuehrer Special 300! I am sure it will tow the other engine along.- Finkle said, smacking his tongue. My other engine is a Filips 302! Not a cheap one, either.- Captain Shilar remarked.

Filips 302 will be sweating along! But I wonder where you are heading this time.- Finkle asked him. To Holobarnium III! I am delivering tools and goods there, and three passengers as well.- Captain Shilar informed him. Holobarnium! A planet I never visited! And I had been on a hundred and thirty two planets already! Some of them dont worth a dime, but in the ugliest ones I had found more profits. Perhaps Ill go and visit it sometime in the future.Finkle said, as he was famous because he often travels very far in order to sell engines and spare part nobody else dares to carry. Those planets you mention have no atmosphere in them, and the only buildings are mining plants! Those miners get good wages, but I prefer to be wandering around the stars to make a living.- Captain Shilar explains his motives for to he member of his trade. Finkle said in a murmur: I have a map. I know of a planet where gold is more common than rocks! No kidding?- Captain Shilar smiled. Of course not! Im telling you that we could get a fortune by going there! A single trip, and with the gold we could live like kings the rest of our lives!- Finkle remarked, waving a hand. Captain Shilar said: Do you know how many fake maps are there running around since ships are built? Thousands! Some to make a profit swindling people, others just for the fun to see how some pair of jerks lost every Credit they had on impossible journeys to almost unreachable stars! Captain Shilar said, with a disdainfully gesture. You are right, there are such maps circulating! But I know, also, that there are many of them who really hit the golden bowl, while the skeptics banged their heads on the wall! Nobody despise a couple of million Credits in this times we are wallowing.- Finkle said. Dont patronize me, either! - Captain Shilar said, pouring some more liquor on the glasses. Well, I already give you the option! You take it or leave it.- Finkle said, drinking half the glass in one gulp. Tell me about that planet of yours- it is in the general direction of where Im going to be?- Captain Shilar asked mildly. No. It is more on the opposite direction- but dont worry- I can wait until your return.- Finkle replied. Captain Shilar looked at him by some seconds, and then laughed- Finkle also begin to laugh, and in that moment Mistress Salvia appeared on the threshold of one of the corridors, saying: But, what is happening here? Are you both drunk? That she said, because she scanned the whole room with her keen eyes to encompass everything that could be of notice- as old women did. Mr. Finkle said: dont tell me! This is one of your passengers, or Hades has the door open? Mistress Salvia, what do you need in here?- Captain Shilar asked, knitting his brow. The meals! I demand you sent better quality products to my table!- Mistress Salvia almost shouted. Are you not satisfied with the food you are being provided?- Captain Shilar asked of her.

Of course not! Rice every day its not my idea of a sound menu! _ Mistress Salvia yelled. I will talk with the Cook, Madame. There are several other dishes- options for you. Perhaps a Menu will serve for a start.- Shilar said. Thats where you should had started in the first place! Sent it to my cabin, and thanks for your efforts!- Mistress Salvia said, looking intently to the bottle of Bourbon, and departed. That Chinfong! Its not the first time he try to induce passengers in to eat Cantonese food during a voyage!-Captain Shilar said. Guess that assistant of yours its quite a nuisance! Why dont you buy a Synthetic Humanoid instead? Plenty of models in stock!- Finkle proposed him. What? A metallic contraption?- Captain Shilar asked. Metallic? Buddy, you really live lost in space! Now they are almost totally organic!- Finkle said. They could cost a fortune. Pfew! I have several refitted models to sell! I will send you a couple- to let that Assistant out of here!- Finkle said. Chinfong is like a friend to me! A very loyal servant; I will not fire him- or replace with a machine!- Captain Shilar said. Ha, ha! Wait until you see the ones Ill send you! You will be mesmerized!Finkle laughed out loud. We hadnt talked yet about the price of those machines! And not mentioning the price of the new engine your team is placing on a nacelle!- Captain Shilar said, worrying those earnings will equal debts in his accounting book. Dont you worry, Captain Shilar? I know you are an honorable man that pays his debts! I will give you time to pay for the Synthetic Humanoids until your return! I am sure we will make that trip and get ourselves very reach!- Finkle said, departing with uncertain steps. Four days later, the Technicians call for a test flight- Captain Shilar gives a couple of turns around Earth at different altitudes and velocities as a test flight, obtained the necessary permission and departed to the outer limits of the Solar System. We will be accelerating for a while. Beyond Pluto, all passengers must be under the cryogenic process.- Chinfong told Miss Patrice, to her mother and to her fiance. I am well aware about it! Just keep on traveling and perhaps our complaints to the Justice could be lessened.- Mistress Salvia said. Chinfong said: Perhaps calling for libels against our Captain could end into troubles for you, Lady. I dont think so.- Patrice intervened, as being a lawyer; she finds everything very easy for her using her knowledge. Chinfong make a bow and went out of the cabin in silence; he was sure those people will learn one or two things before long. Captain Shilar was on the Bridge at all times- even at night, as he just put a blanket over his body and slept there; he was mourning about the four millions seven thousand Credits he had to pay for the new engine. He was constantly looking at the console, to see if the new engine presents any anomaly, but until that point in space, the engines were working as a perfect whole. He heard a voice saying: what a beautiful spectacle you had get from here!

He turns his head around, and saw Miss Patrice, looking at the main screenSaturn was in full view. Oh, yes! Saturn has its beauties!- He said in reply. She seats in the place where the radar man supposed to be, and said: I wonder how many things had you seen in your life! Oh, yes! And about the Saturnine equinox, which takes place every 15 Earth years or so, the plane of Saturn's rings aligns with the sun, casting shadows that bring out subtle details in their structure. Our spacecraft does not require waiting to see it, as you could notice. The narrow outer band you are seeing now, known as the F ring (Saturn's main rings are named A to G in the order they were discovered), features channels carved into the ring by Prometheus, the oblong moon visible just inside the F ring. These so-called streamers are formed when the elliptical orbit of Prometheus brings the moon into the F ring. The gravity of the moon pulls material out of the ring, carving out a new streamer on each 15-hour orbit. You could see a deformation toward the outer portion of the A ring, the wider band in the center of the screen. The A ring is nearly 15,000 kilometers across (for comparison, the F ring is just a few hundred kilometers broad at its widest point), but its thickness is measured in the tens of meters. She looked at him in bewilderment- she had him as a rude captain with the lowest of knowledge, but she was hearing much more than that, so she said: I am amazed! You know about these celestial bodies as you were reading a screen! I was forced to study by my father and the teachers at the University, in my pursue of a Captains license! Now, if you look over there, you could see within the A ring a 40-kilometer span known as the Keeler Gap, in which the moon Daphnis orbits. This miniature moon has an inclined orbit, meaning its orbital path is tilted with respect to the rings. Due to Daphnis's inclination, its gravity pulls material out of the ring plane, creating waves on either side of the Keeler Gap (visible as a bump near the bottom of the screen, toward the outer edge of the A ring). Due to our point at Saturn's equinox, Daphnis's deformation of the A ring was set in stark relief by the low angle of the sun, casting shadows that revealed the waves to be approximately four kilometers high. Well, guess today I did learn something about moons and planets!- She smiled gently, and departed as a fairy. Captain Shilar believes in love, and said to himself: this girl seems to be milk and honey; precisely what I need now. Chinfong appeared, saying: you have your audio line working for all to hear, Captain! Well, I didnt notice it!- He said, and Chinfong said; Here it is the culprit! This small lever at the Radars console! Perhaps she moved it inadvertently. Well, guess now they all know you are an As on astronomy. Captain Shilar laughed, and said: cannot be true! Well, guess Ill talk less and work a bit more in here! I know something about astronomy myself! At the Academy we studied Saturn's moon Enceladus has a ``surprising organic brew,'' containing most of

the ingredients needed for life, erupting in geysers from beneath its surface and spewing into the atmosphere. Chinfong said. Are you sure you dont move the lever again?- Asked the Captain, smiling. Oh, no, Captain! Let me tell you that Enceladus has a concentration of water vapor, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and organic material. Enceladus has got warmth, water and organic chemicals, some of the essential building blocks needed for life. Chinfong said. Yes, I know that myself! But without water, nothing lives.- Captain said. Later in that day, Captain Shilar went out of the space freighter to see why one of the directional antennas was failing to function properly. He was using an old model of a suit, so he needs to change a cord he had attached from one ring to another, just in case he could slip and wander out of reach from the Kongovelga. The small tower with the antennas was located near the center of the hull; a long walk of two hundred meters was an easy feat; the set of antennas looks entangled, and three of them were broken. Fortunately, Shilar carried tools and spare parts, so he stay there under the stars repairing the broken or twisted antennas. When he gets finished with the reparations, he takes some minutes of repose looking at the familiar patterns of stars and galaxies that usually is able to see from the Solar System. IN there, atop the tower of antennas, he could see in all directions except directly under his boots (where the hull of the Kongovelga was located); a sphere full of near and distant stars all over; much of them were whole Galaxies but from his post, they looked as single stars. Hello, Captain Shilar! Are you there?- A voice startled him- it was the Assistant speaking through the intercommunicating device, a standard piece of equipment in every special suit. Yes, I am fine, Chinfong. Where are you talking to me? From the Engines room, Sir! I am busy looking everything goes fine in here.Chinfong said. Good; keep an eye on those engines! The old one, is all right?- Captain Shilar asked. Yes, Sir! Its running as good as the Finkles machine- not less powerful in any case.- Chinfong replied. I will be there soon! I want to see the new baby.- Captain Shilar said, starting his way back to the inside of the space freighter. Chinfong went to Deck One, and when Shilar arrives there, he said: Two hours for the arrival to Plutos orbit; well be not seeing the planet or the Base in theretoo far away now in its path. And you should rest, Captain. Not necessary! I can be awaked for twenty four hours, if I want.- Shilar said. Well, captain, you will be drowsing when attaching warp speed.- Chinfong remarked.

All right! I will take a little nap, then. You must awake me if I keep on sleeping when Warp time comes!- Shilar said, and then he walked to a corridor, and tied his left ankle to a beam, not to wander away while asleep. Soon he was totally asleep. Chinfong, at his console, was looking out for debris in their path; plenty of those now they were traversing out of the Solar System and into the Oort cloud. Miss Patrice appears coming from one of the tunnels and said to Chinfong: Can I seat in here? I will not move a thing. Better there.- Chinfong said, signaling to another seat- less dangerous than a lady seat in front of the Meteorite deflector consoles. Where is your captain?- She asked. Sleeping. Oh, good!- She said, with a sigh. Why the sigh? Did he bother you somehow?- The Chinaman asked her. Not really! But he has a way to say things that goes over my head!- She confided I hadnt noticed it! Really!- Chinfong said, and she stared at him for a while and laughed. Oh, well! Tell me when are we to reach Outer Space!- Patrice asked of him. Very soon! Pluto is that small star to the right do you see it?- Chinfong indicated to the main screen. Oh, yes! But there are five in that spot.- Patrice complained. The uppermost of them! Well reach that spot, and then we are going to start our powerful Warp engines- of course, youll see nothing, as you are going to be asleep on a pod.- Chinfong anticipated. The Deep Sleep! I wonder where my soul goes when in stasis. She said. I wonder if you adhere to some religion.- Chinfong asked. Yes, to the Christian religion! Why?- Patrice asked, looking at him with a startled behavior. Because you say soul.- Chinfong said. Oh, yes! A custom, tradition of mine! As you know, we believe theres a spark of eternal life inside the heart of every human that survives death.- She explained. All right! Im a Buddhist myself- nothing much, actually.- Chinfong said. Not much? Now all the people are not addicted to religion. We believers are freaks among them.- She said, rising her shoulders a bit. Hours later, the Kongovelga crosses the Pluto orbit and the whole Universe was there in front of it; the main computer said: Ready to warp, Sir. Give us fifteen seconds and sound the alarm.- Captain Shilar said, and as the passengers were already seat and with security belts on, the alarm resounded and suddenly a big thrust forward wobble the whole Freighter while the voice of the Main Computer was saying: Warp Three attained, Sir. All right, well see if those engines stick together for a time, and then well take turns- a week at a time for each- and please no tricks with me this time.- Shilar said to Chinfong, who usually takes longer shifts by his own accord. You know we Asian people get things differently. A week for me is a mere moment.- Chinfong brawled. Yeah, right. I will take the first watch. I will go to the sleeping pods and so well see each other in seven weeks elapsed time.- Captain Shilar said.

Yes, Captain.- Chinfong replied, and went out of the chamber and made his way to the survival pods- not in the same location where the passengers had theirs- but at a corridor in Sector III. He set the numbers for a week from the present date, and said: Computer: First officer going to deep sleep. Confirm. The voice said: First officer entering Deep Sleep; duration in the pod will be seven days. All right.- Chinfong said, and places himself on the cushioned pod: the lid was closed and he lost conscience soon afterwards- no Buddha waiting his soul or self- but pure nothingness and void. No special place to frolic with Hetaeras no Walhalla or Heaven for that Chinaman. Captain Shilar visited every corner of the space Freighter during those days. Long corridors were walked over several times, while he watch for failures- he visited the right and left nacelle, and read indicators and labels on both of themthe one from Finkle was in German and some warnings appears in red lettering. The other warp engine, to the left, was Chinese; this was odd for Shilar, who until that moment was sure the left engine was a Pilip machine. The Rising Sun engine was as cold as it was supposed to be, and it was working in unison with the right engine. When Chinfong come out of his pod, seven days later, he saw Captain Shilar waiting for him at the corridor. How was your sleeping period, Chinfong? All the nice a dead person could be, Captain! Whats going on? Some problem?- Chinfong asked, as it was not the habit of his Chief to wait for him to go out of the Freeze. Almost nothing; a trifle thing, actually.- Captain Shilar said. Come on, Captain! Whats troubling you?- Chinfong asked, leaning on a wall. The other warp engine- its not made in England but its Chinese!- Shilar said, accusingly. But Captain! I told you both engines were changed at the last refitting process! You forgot it.- Chinfong said. Are you sure? Totally sure, Captain! See, why dont you go inside the pod now? You look tired.- Chinfong proposed. Yeah, right! Help me in.- Shilar said, remembering his sleeping habits were a real mess during those seven days. As usual, Chinfong finds a real mess at the living quarters- bottles half emptied, cups and napkins everywhere. He cleans it up and begins to revise every circuit and generator, to see it was all O.K. Six days later, he visited the Captains capsule- it was working normally- and set it to open in nine days elapsed time- some more sleep for a tired captain, was his commentary while doing the operation. Later, Chinfong was seated at the main console, when a tremor was sensed through out the whole structure. He looked at the exterior by the monitor cameras- a strange spaceship was docking at a side a dangerous operation while in Warp speed. Chapter 2 Malfunction in mid space. Pirates!- Chinfong murmured, seeing flames spurting from the Kongovelga Freighter, as they were some people in special uniforms trying to melt a hole on

the fuselage to get inside. Minutes of indecision could render the whole trip impossible to be recovered from the intrusion, so Chinfong makes the right move: he closed the warp engines out of function the whole Universe seems to collapse and then they were looking at several stars in the vicinity, with the Kongovelga out of trouble. Fine mess! I will go waking up my Captain; he will know what to do next.Chinfong said to himself. The machines awake him in ten minutes; Chinfong helps him arrive to the Main Cabin, while he explains the affair with the pirates. Shilar seats at his place, and said: Nice. You make the right decision! Now, where are we? May I answer that question, Captain?- The metallic voice of the Main Computer resounded. You may. We are on ZB 406- 3,600, Sir. Three parsecs away from our destination. Oh, well! So we are still on course.- Shilar said, relaxing on his cushioned chair. First you should take a look at the main engines, Captain.- Chinfong said. Whats with them? Trouble?- Shilar asked. There is a red light on the left warp engine, Sir. I will go there to look.Chinfong replied, and leave the room. Those Chinese products! I must had been mad when I bought that crap!Captain Shilar said, and he was portraying himself as a dupe, with a freighter glued on the middle of nowhere. He saw Chinfong looking at the innards of that Rising Sun Artifact, and told him by the Intercom: Some elements are fused together, Sir! Ill be damn!- Captain Shilar said, banging his armchair. I think we could fix it, Captain, but please put aside your attitude! Bad Karma never helps!- Chinfong said worryingly. Bad karma was to bring here that piece of junk!- Growled the Captain, while stepping on the corridor, floating to the left nacelle trough tunnels and corridors as a squid. When arriving, he said: Lets not waste time! Take all the fused parts away, and well try to replace them with the spare parts we should had in storage. I presume there are spare parts at the hold five? Yes, Captain. But not sure these huge portions are backed up too. Perhaps they are. Remember your bad Karma lessons. If you wish not spare parts, there will be not enough spare parts.- Shilar retorted. They worked nine hours and Shilar went to sleep, saying: I should had quit, bought a Drugstore and forget about space and stars for the rest of my life. Instead you are here because you love stars and planets, Sir.- Chinfong said, smiling. Yeah, Im a dupe. Get some rest, too; by my part, Im awfully tired. Tomorrow we will begin selecting what is needed.- Shilar said, and went to a corridor and tying his leg to a beam, went asleep in five minutes elapsed time. Chinfong was not happy with that failure and slept four hours only, and then he revise systems until eight hours in the morning. Shilar appeared at the hold five, saying: Hello, Chinfong! Ready for a hard days work?

Of course, Captain! Im engaged into this hardship as your Assistant!Chinfong said. Im going to take breakfast now.- Captain Shilar said, and went to a corner, where he heat some water and pour some ersatz tea; from a small bag he produced a pair of biscuits; with these he seats at his chair, relaxing. Chinfong went immediately to work, while Shilar puts some newscasts several days old on the main screen to hear; after half an hour, he went to work. The Chinaman said: I had set in place seven objects already, Captain; they fit exactly. Good for us! Lets see AD- 339 was inserted here; Ill go fetching it from the hold five.- Shilar said, and walked to the hold; he was certain something will be amiss- too much luck wasnt common occurrence to him The set AD- 339 was there, all right; so he took it and walked back to the left Nacelle; all that day he was flying back and forth to the Nacelle, taking the spare parts one by one; he was not a technician, and he prefer to work with one thing at a time; same thing was happening with his Assistant, who had a degree on Engineering but was out of practice with the new apparatus. Four days later, they put the last item available from the hold, and Chinfong said: Four spare parts missing, Sir. Pity they are all important. As I say, bad luck is with us from the beginning.- Shilar said. But you said bad luck didnt exist!- Chinfong remembered him. Yeah! Well, what about the other engines spare parts? Do you think they could be of use? I difficult, Captain! But we need to replace those parts, or well be asking for help by the radio.- Chinfong announced. I dislike doing that! They often asks half the cargo to help somebody; I prefer to rotten in here.- Shilar said, without much enthusiasm. Ill go and see, Captain- hold number 2 it is.- Chinfong said; and Shilar followed him by the corridors; soon they were looking at a big number of spare parts. Seems Mr. Finkle did give us a full set of replacements!- Shilar said. I guess I can use this items!- Chinfong said, after some time revising the hold; at the floor, several packages were waiting. Ill help you carry them.- Shilar said, smiling; after all, perhaps they could indeed return to the civilization without much delay! Chinfong had to make several modifications until four days later, he said: Captain, I think we could make a test flight right now! All right!- Shilar said, and seats at the controls; soon the warp engines were working at low capacity; Chinfong was looking at the dials from his console, and said: A small amount of heat at the left nacelle, Captain; but I think it will hold! Warp 3! Well, I will not increase the velocity, no sir! With the present velocity, well arrive just four weeks later! No big deal!- Shilar said, smiling happily. Warp three its an honorable velocity, Captain!- Chinfong said, laughing, looking at the screens and seeing the stars visibly moving backwards. Two days later a Liner passed by, hailing them. Captain Zaror from the U.S. Bush wishes us good luck in our trip, Captain!Chinfong said, after a brief conversation with the aforementioned captain by the radio. Good wishes! Did you tell them we could get ourselves marooned again?Shilar asked him.

Yes, Sir! He said he is going to announce our mishap by the hyper radio, just in case.- Chinfong said. All right; not much traffic by this line, I guess.- Shilar said. It has never have been much either, Captain.- Chinfong remembered him. Shilar went to see the left warp engine, and finds everything all right; the velocity maintains and all seems to be going his way. He has the second shiftthe night shift, while his Assistant gets the daylight shift; of this, only the name remains, as it was always dark and stars werent capable of to give more light than being pinpoints in the distance. Three weeks later, they saw several Liners speeding up to Holobarnium III, and Shilar said: There goes happy life! Yes, tourism is the main attraction, at Holobarnium! Those gigantic rivers and there is plenty of fish on the seas.- Chinfong said. I wonder what Ill do! I cannot replace again a warp engine! Do you think this could hold until our return to Earth?- Shilar asked his Assistant general. Not in the present condition, Sir! But you could ask for spare parts- legitimate this time- and Im sure it could be a nice come back without any other problem, Captain.- Chinfong said. Ill do that! I cant spend more money in this freighter!- Shilar announced. Two days from arrival, he awoke the passengers, and after a small breakfast, he said; Ladies and gentleman: good news for you! We are as near as two days of travel to our destiny! Holobarnium star is visibly by the screen.- The Captain said, and shows them what he was telling about; a speck of light to the right side of the screen was all they could see, by the moment. But- it seems to be still very far!- Mistress Salvia said, looking at him. Optical illusion, Madame! I assure you that in two more days well be docking to the Orbital Station !- Shilar said. Hope youre right!- Mistress Salvia said, looking again at the speck of light in a distrustful way. Im so dizzy! Why is that, Captain?- Miss Patrice asked him, seating on a chair. its normal! You perhaps arent accustomed to these long flights!- Captain Shilar said. Nonsense! She has taking this raid before, and nothing has happened! Perhaps your machines didnt work as well as they should!- Mister Dulles Moriat said. I assure you they work really fine! They are Kasuga machines!- Captain Shilar said. Kasuga? Old stuff!- Mister Dulles said, looking at him accusingly. Old but reliable!- Captain Shilar said, reddening. Yeah! Look at my fiance, and you could be that they arent so reliable! Ill bet you that they are ten years old!- Mr. Dulles said, challenging the Captain. Ill accept the bet! Ten Credits? - Shilar replied. All right! Ten credits it is! How we could search for the date?- Mr. Dulles asked him. Ill go with you! Plenty of tabs on it to see!- Shilar said, almost laughing; he knew they were not ten years old, but twelve! Mr. Dulles didnt accept him as the winner, and said: Well, Sir, the point was this machines has more than ten years! And you can twist the bet by saying if

they were one or two years ahead or before the ten years, you win! Are you nuts, or what ? Both, perhaps! I win the bet; now you pay me.!- Shilar said, finding an excuse to fight the man- perhaps a blow or two will teach him a lesson on humility. No, you are making a wrong statement in here! You loose!- Mr. Dulles said, and for some minutes, they were about to fight, but Miss Patrice intervened, by saying: All right, you are fighting as rotten children! I am sure the Captain has reason: you say this engine had ten years, and you were wrong! No matter if its twelve or eight years, I am sure everyone who heard the bet, is thinking now that the Captain was the winner. Both men were embarrassed to see her intervening between them; so Mr. Dulles said: I know I win the bet, but dont pay me a thing! By the contrary! You must pay me!- Captain Shilar said; but again Miss Patrice intervened, by saying: Dont you know when to realize you loose the bet, dear Dulles? Here, Captain Shilar: ten Credits for you; Im sure you deserves it.Shilar takes the money without uttering a word, and went to the main cabin not too happy with what happened there. They traveled the rest of the trip without much to tell, and at last they arrive to the orbit around Holobarnium III; the passengers were transferred to the Orbital Station I , and from there to the surface of the planet in a passengers shuttle. Chinfong communicates Captain Shilar with the general manager of the mining company, Dorbin Swets. Sir! We are here with the merchandise and ores you needed! Send shuttles to carry your cargo to your city.- Captain Shilar said by the Holographic visophone communicator. I am not in the plant right now, but I understand you! Cant you take the ores down here yourself?- Dorbin Swets asked him- he was a young man with blonde hair. All right, Sir! Im orbiting the planet and waiting for your men to carry the ores down below! I cannot risk my costly freighter going down with so much weight!Shilar explained to the man. All right, let me confirm.- The general manager said, and ends the conversation. They must respect you, Sir! You had traveled millions of kilometers to bring them what they want! And now they left you waiting!- Chinfong said, who was listening by the screen. Well, this trip was paid at Earths planet! If they delay the reception I will be dumping every Container out of the main lock.- Shilar said. Hope you could get more cargo for the return home, Sir.- Chinfong said. Earth, Mars, Vulcan, to any planet I could return! Search for clients! See if they are needing transport at the Orbital Station- people goes there to rent space freighters.- Shilar said, knowing the Chinese was acquainted with the proceedings, but was sure that a little bullying was the adequate in this occasion. Chinfong started to work, and Shilar begin searching for some repair crew, to fix the Chinese Warp Engine- or change it for a more reliable one. After much talk with several companies, he finds the Braco Repair Organization, where his owner, Mr. Farniom Dogoperto was asking the lowest price for a reparation.

That same day appears a yellow shuttle, with the name of the Organization on both sides; a pair of men appears on deck, saying: good to make business with you, Captain Shilar! I am Farniom, and this is my son Feke. To Shilar, both men were exactly alike, except for one of them without many wrinkles- but both of them had ice cold eyes to look at the world. I have a Rising Sun warp engine here, that fails when making a trek from Earth planet. The other engine I bought second hand just before I come here.Shilar said. Both men looked each other, and the father said: dont tell me you were able to almost arrive here with one of those engines without an explosion! They are the worst of the worst! They tole me that once in a while, those engines were to rely on.- Captain Shilar said, not to look too dumb. No, no! They are all junk! I cannot repair such an engine, Sir! I offer you a second hand Zuspitzen engine!- Farniom Dogoperto said. Which model?- Shilar asked. It is a Goering 330! Good engine.- Feke Dogoperto said, opening his mouth. Guess this is going to cost me.- Shilar said, grabbing his temples. Dont you think this is going to fail, Captain! We assure you this engine will die together with the freighter- in 30 or 40 years more!- Farniom Dogoperto assured him. Wish you are right! Tell me the price.- Shilar said, feeling dizzy. Five millions and a half Credits, Captain! But you will get an engine that will run for ever!- Farniom Dogoperto said. Shilar was not pleased, but that was the lowest price he found by the intercommunication, so he accepted it. Five days, and youll be running around as a new spaceship!- Farniom said to the wall, giving it a punch. While they were working, four shuttles appears and Mr. Dorbin Swets were on one of them; she visited the Kongovelga, using a cumbersome space suit; when at the presence of Captain Shilar, he said: I get hurry for you, Captain! You look so distress I was afraid of your health. Dont worry! We captains of the deep are all distressed.- Shilar said. I see you are being repaired- I mean, your space freighter.- Dorbin said. Yes, some minor details only! My space freighter is very tough.- Shilar said, not willing to say his freighters were already on the obsolete line. Good you take care of this huge commercial spaceship! I wonder how many holds it has!- Dorbin said. The sufficient, of course! Dont you want to sent something to Earth, or some other planet? Im going back there, so if you have something to sent, please dont hesitate and hire my services.- Shilar said. Oh, we wait for the next season! We always sent our shipments in the month of May; if you come here by that date, perhaps I could hire your services again.Dorbin said. But you are wrong! You dont hire my services! They were other people on Earth, which makes the deal with me.- Shilar said, thinking he needs not to show himself too amiable with a guy who was refusing to sent odds through his Freighter. Dorbin smiled, and after another shake hand, he return to a shuttle; hours later, the hull from the Kongovelga was freed of their cargo.

Chinfong was busy trying to obtain some cargo to keep on the business; four weeks of waiting and just half the cargo was storage inside the ship; he said: Guess this is going to be all! Well have enough money just to pay the fares and the energy we consume! But at least, well be arriving to the Solar System, where there is enough cargo for everyone. Yes, Chief! Dont put that face again!- Chinfong said, looking through a maze of wires he was revising. What face?- Shilar Grumbled An elephant face, Chief! Full of wrinkles.- Chinfong said, smiling to himself. Somebody rings a chime out the spaceship, and Shilar said: Go and see whos calling! I hope a client, Chief!- Chinfong said, running out of the main cabin, while Shilar swear in low voice; he was sure there was someone at the Orbiting Station calling for some bill to be paid. But as Shilar thought, it was a bill to pay; tired of to be looking at the same walls, he told Chinfong he was going down to some city or other. Carry your communicator, Captain! The minute I get cargo, Ill call you.Chinfong said. All right. Good luck.- Shinfong said, departing with the communicator and some money on his Credit Card account. CHAPTER 3. HOBOBERN CITY ON AGIORAN CONTINENT PLANET HOLOBARNIUM III. Shilar visited Hobobern, the capital city on the Agioran continent (placed to the south in the western hemisphere); he choose to stay at a cheap Hotel on 55 th street near the corner with Orgobor Avenue- where thirty eight stories high buildings were the common sight. After a short nap at his hotel room, he went to the street by the elevator; once on the sidewalk he saw people standing in every corner, and women at the doors of several Cabarets and Coffee shops trying to tent the bystanders inside. He talks with a big blonde woman with big round eyes and lips to match; they went to the third floor of an Hotel and ends up inside a small bedroom with a tiny bathroom. Sorry, dear, this is not the Ritz Hotel.- She said, smacking her tongue while undressing- she was wearing a yellow dress. Dont matter to me! I dont come here to live.- Shilar said. Later, he returns to the street and walks until dawn- the city has a big river (the Union) and he walks by a long bridge to the other side a residential place. Shilar noticed that this side of town was mostly residential- parks and buildings stretching to the distance with monotonous uniformity; he rests at a park, where he fell asleep awakening past midday. There were beautiful insect drinking water from ornamental ponds, and children playing games among the trees. Young women were looking for them, dressed all in short breeches. Shilar talked to one of them, saying: Nice place to be, here! You had a beautiful environ this side of town. The woman, about twenty years of age, smiled and said: Are you a tourist, mister? Yes, I arrive yesterday to Hobobern, from Space.- Shilar informed her.

A visitor from another planet! How nice. Excuse me; my child is hanging from that tree.- She said, running to put a four years old boy safely on the ground, while telling not to climb again to any tree. She smiles at a distance to him, but didnt return to his side. Shilar went out to the street 63 And walked some more blocks. The sun of Holobarnium was shining bright and the temperature become very hot, so he enters at a building, that has several degrees less of temperature. At the hall, several employees were attending the people on small shops or cleaning the place constantly. Shilar bought a beverage and two sandwiches, seating on a stool in front of a counter. Half way his drink, a young lady in a green uniform approaches to his side, saying: Can I join you, Sir? Well, of course! Plenty of room in here.- Shilar replied. Thanks. Im Melan. Hi, Melan. Do you work here? I mean- for your uniform.- Shilar asked; she smiled while showing perfect teeth and replying with a nod of her head. Do you not eat anything? I can invite you, if you will.- Shilar offered, drinking from his glass. No, as I already take my breakfast in the morning.- Melan said. Oh, well, I see you are on a diet. What old are you?- He asked. I cant tell personal matters, Sir.- Melan said. Why? Is your boss hearing you, perchance? Not my boss- my instructions.- Melan said, and then Shilar realize the woman could be a synthetic person, so he said: Oh! You are not a Natural? I cant answer that question, either.- Melan said, unblinkingly. Shilar finished his sandwiches and said: Your conversation was not much pleasant. At least tell me why you seat at my table. I am from Security, Sir. You certainly are new here, and suspicious.- Melan said. Shilar was awestruck for a moment, and then he said: I am new in town, but the owner of a whole spaceship! So many months on space makes a man increase his desire for company; I dont even have a Synthetic female on board, less a natural one! Melan said: Strange attitude, Sir. Every natural person should have several Synthetic Assistants. The prices had lowered in the Market.- Melan said. Shilar looked at her- young, not much attractive, slim- not the kind a man would desire as a female. You are deciding to stay, or to leave? I can provide you with any information on lodgings, addresses you could need, Hotels, Spas, Travel Agencies, Gambling places, Casinos, Dancing places, or call you a Flier taxi.- Melan recited. Wow! Guess I better leave this place- you certainly resemble the machine you are.- Shilar said, while Melan accompanies him to the main door, saying: Have a good day, Sir. Damn machine!- Shilar retorted, walking under the sun. There were few people walking by the street as the sun was biting hard. Several vehicles, aerial ones, went two hundred meters from the ground and in different levels and velocities, traversing now and then to the sides, searching their pilots for their houses.

There were several shops on some blocks, selling food and beverages, even meals. He seats on another stool and a man approaches, saying: Are you looking for company, Sir? Well, at a female person, perhaps, because I had been surrounded by males during my past travels in space. You can rent a woman that will make you forget those days.- The man said. Of course there is the matter of prices- the man said- and how much is going to cost me?- Shilar asked in earnest. Just three credits the hour! Now if you want more than conversation, you must add seven credits by the extra hour of service. And we can provide you with a place to rest, that costs seven more Credits. Some business! All is a matter of money in here!- Shilar said. Well, sir , we are here to earn money, is not my fault that all our civilization is based in old ways of buy and sell, we thrive on economic democratic capitalist society just like in Earth, that invents this shit- The man was loosing patience by the minute Capitalism had always existed.- Shilar said, looking past the man and into the garden. I cannot keep myself speaking with you all day long, as I have a place to attend. Do you want or you do not want a female?- The attendant asked him. Shilar decided: Send me a female for an hour. I can have more delight in some other place, later. The man growled something and five minutes later a woman came walking by the street, and seats at his side, saying: Good afternoon, sailor. Im your companion now. He smiled and looked at her: she was tall and blonde, with blue eyes and have a superb body. She was dressed with two small tiny pieces of cloth and a pair of shoes to match, that looked like they were expensive. She said: I am Kronixa. And which is your name? Shilar said his name, and added: I am the owner of a spaceship in flight. OH, a whole captain! Well, when do you leave town, sailor? She asked, in a musical tone. I will leave this town the minute I get the cargo on the holds. My assistant is working on that. I will be called by him the minute all things are OK about us. She laughed with a nice laugh, and said: About us! A strange phrase, captain Well, I see you promote me from sailor to captain- Shilar said. I must promote you for more than my company too, Captain. I can give you a nice afternoon to remember- And moved her body slightly, that was certainly well developed. I see you have enough dynamite in there to shoot at me, lady.- Shilar said, laughing. See? I make you laughed. You was looking very sad when I arrived.- Kronixa said. Shilar moved his head sidewise and said: Certainly yes. I had been attended by a robot calling me a suspicious man, all because I was on the hall of a building not five blocks from here, and then the guy who called you, perhaps the owner of this joint, was asking me money for this and that, perhaps believing I am a millionaire.- Shilar explained. Do you know that I can bring you happiness? Do you know that you could buy me?- Kronixa said.

To buy you must be very expensive. Shilar commented. Not very high. Just one million credits.- She said. Shilar revised his agenda and bank account in his small apparatus. And said I can buy you but first I must revise the market for lower prices. I can give you a nice afternoon for just tree hundred credits. Now if you think its too much, forget it.- She said. But the guy in here said a lowered price- Shilar commented. That was because he was offering you a model ab111, that is the standard model here, but as you called not for a synthetic woman to give you pleasure only, then they called me that I am a model 7771 that could make your life as happy as you can imagine and also I have some more virtues and skills other models cannot offer.- Kronixa said. Shilar was thinking now about money and the market, and how this woman was also promoting herself for money. Certainly she was trying to sell herself at the most higher price she could and perhaps he could find models like this and cheaper, just searching for them at the correct places. This conversation is going to be a commercial one, and I dislike it.- Shilar said. I was only offering you what I could offer, but if you want only to talk, we can talk the afternoon away.- Kronixa said. Shilar was fighting her senses but she was also aware that the woman opposite his seat was only a slot machine. Kronixa had several scanners on her body to search on the body of the man in front of her, so she knew the guy was fighting their hormones right now, so she smiled tenderly, touch his arm and said: Well, we can talk if you dont want to know what I was going to offer you. Yes, we could do that; just talk.- Shilar said, fighting ferociously and internally the desire to posses that beautiful woman for a whole week. She added: Perhaps later we could talk for more services to you. Shilar said: I want to ask you a few questions about the government of this planet. Who is in charge actually? Our king Eulifor.- She murmured. The king Eulifor? And from where he sprouted.- Shilar asked, touching her hand, which was like white milk. Kronixa laughed and said: He has not sprouted; his family come here from Mars 200 years ago and was very rich. In time his family bought huge amounts of lands here and at the other three continents in this planet, while scandals with the government of the many makes people finds that a king was more necessary and economic than the democratic government that they had installed in the first moment of colonization, that was only serving themselves, their own members coming to get rich to their posts. Small advances with those democratic leaders. Shilar said; So here they believe not in democracy? We have social democracy functioning here; no matter the head of the government is a king. People believe that a king is not stealing money from every Ministry and section of the government as in a democracy is always happening. In old times every elected person when arriving to his post, has a home a car and perhaps and in rare cases, a summer vacation house; but when they leave their posts , six years later, they have huge amounts of money in several Banks and several buildings and vehicles under their names, and not only them but their relatives too.- Kronixa said.

Shilar was in love with Kronixa, perhaps because he was looking at her lips when she talks, or perhaps her perfume, or perhaps he was trying to get a woman to his Freighter, so he said: I think I could buy you for my own. She laughed, and said: Perhaps you were right first! You said you were going to buy a better price somewhere else! Why me, now? You talk nicely.- He said, touching her hand. Not necessarily to be paying as much as a million credits! Do you know how much a model AB 7771 is cost now in the market? I have three years of use; or in other terms, three years of life. They could offer you a model AB 7771 seven years old and you will notice not any change with a brand new model! The difference goes under the skin, to say the least; and the battery must be replaced each two years; you could buy a model AB 7771 with its battery ready to die! And they are not cheap.- Kronixa explained with a bored look. Yes, but speaking clearly with you, who I dont know if you have what we call sentiments? Sentiments I have, of course, or I would be not doing this.- She said, leaning unto him and kissing his lips very softly. Nice.- Captain Shilar said, accepting to pay the fares she wish to mention; the rest of the afternoon they were busy on a cheap hotel at the surrounding area. At 23.00 hours, she said: well, dear, I must return to my place; my boss will be very enraged if I dont come back before twelve hours. Of course; Ill call you tomorrow.- Shilar said, looking at her naked body over the bed. Yes, you do that.- She said, and after a brief shower, she dressed and went away with a smile. Shilar stays at the Hotel until the morning, and then he calls on Chinfong, through a telephone on a booth. Captain! We had half the cargo already! Could you advertise something more down there? I could use some help in this.- Chinfong said. Of course; Ill see to that immediately.- Shilar said, thinking he was not working but idling on the city of Hobobern. He passed the next five days talking with general managers with products to export out of the planet; some of them had stopped to export, for the delay in the recovery of the money; but Shilar was saying to them: Ill be your money collector! You just tell me where you want your deposits made, and Ill see that they do it- no money will be received by me- Ill be asking them to made deposits at your companys name. In that way, he gets the rest of the cargo he needed to sally forth from the Holobarnium IIIs orbit. He takes a shuttle to the orbit two days later; at the lock, Chinfong was waiting for him. Hello, Captain! Welcome!- Chinfong said. Hi, Chinfong! You look pale- guess you are not taking enough Ultraviolet rays!Shilar said. Yes, no time for that.- Chinfong said, smiling; then Shilar went to the holds, revising the cargo was affixed properly to the walls; in outer space no bumping objects were allowed. He also takes a look at the twin engines, and smiled; this time no Chinese product was going to hinder him from success. Captain, I need you at the lock.- The voice of Chinfong resounded on a wall; he walked to a intercom and said: All right, Im coming.

When at the lock, he saw several persons waiting; they were dressed with the new astronaut suits- light and with all the surface shining softly in green; he notice the visitors were with the helmets off. These people represent a University team on voyage to Earth, Captain- they want places on your Freighter.- Chinfong said, and immediately Shilar said: I could carry you only if you went under deep freeze the minute I said. We have no need to be awaked but to arrive to Earth, Captain.- A tall man said, with a profound voice. Perfect. I need the necessary documents, and your names and addresses; I need to present the data to the authorities not only here, but when arriving to the Solar System.- Captain Shilar said, looking at the rest of the team; five men, and only two females; all of them very young, except the man who spoke that were older. I am professor Fudge and this are my students: Mary, Eleanor, Cantogar, Fishburn, Gotogo and Askiforgion. Our present voyage will carry us to the University of Cambridge, where they are going to end their studies on Exoarcheology. Shilar mentioned the price for each of them, and professor Fudge finds it acceptable; they were lodged on two separate cabins- a bigger one for the males. Captain Shilar said: Chinfong, you call on the Orbital Station for our departure; the sooner the better. Yes, Sir.- Chinfong said, smiling- he was happy to be of service, and in ten minutes he obtained the authorization to depart. Captain Shilar asked the passengers to remain on their cabins, and the Freighter begin his trek, accelerating to leave the orbit. Now well see if these engines are reliable.- Captain Shilar said, from his seat. They better are.- Chinfong said, very serious- he was also worried, after the last experience with the Warp Engine. Other spaceship was also deploying, at high velocity; soon it was out of view. Four hours later, Captain Shilar told the passengers to go to the capsules and so they were in Deep Freeze soon afterwards; Shilar returns to the main cabin, and said: We are freed of those passengers for now. Good, Captain! Less expenses- we now must give some throttle to the machine- are you ready?- Chinfong said. I am ready and with fingers crossed!- Captain Shilar replied, strapping to his chair; the hands of the Chinese moved above the console, and the Kongovelga jumped forwards; soon they were traveling at Warp 4. Good velocity! Wish those engines dont fail.- Shilar said. They cannot, Sir! They are very well tuned by the engineers.- Chinfong said. Shilar went to the Engines room, and then to the nacelles; he saw the temperature was the correct one, and the indicators were showing nice performances. Two days later, he said: Ill go down to Deep Sleep! Wish you have a nice ride. Of course, Sir. I will awake you if something goes wrong.- Chinfong said. Wish that never occurs, but of course, if you feel the Freighter is in jeopardy, you just call me to the land of the living.- Shilar said, yawning. Chinfong helps him with the pod, and soon Captain Shilar was freeze for the rest of the voyage. The Chinaman smiled, and walked to the main cabin, where now he was the master.

CHAPTER FOUR. Horse head nebula Five weeks later, when the Kongovelga was passing near the Constellation Leo, the star number 6548, exploded with force and the first hints were scanned by the radar with long range capacity; automatically the driving systems calculate the safest way to put the Freighter out of danger, and full throttle was given to both Warp Engines; at that moment, Chinfong was asleep on the controls, but with the jolt he awake and reads the indicators; a sudden brilliance engulfed the whole ship, and he lost conscience due to that motive. On the run and guided by the master computer, the Kongovelga receives a mighty impulse with the first and second energy waves that sprouts from the disintegration of star number 6548; the velocity indicator stuck on Warp 9, but the true velocity was plus 18, that makes the objects translucid inside the Freighter, for more than seven months. The cadaver of Chinfong rested at the same posture for all that period of time; exhausted the increased velocity and now out of danger, the Main Computer search for a suitable planet where leave the Kongovelga orbiting out of any danger; he finds it on a small planetary system on the middle portion of the Horses Head Nebula Constellation; a place no Federation spaceship has never arrived- because of the extreme distance. The energy from the Dylithium crystals diminished, the main Computer awakes all passengers and crew members on those pods, so Captain Shilar went out of his Deep Sleep together with his passengers; he walked to the main cabin, hoping to find his first mate ready to explain what was happening, when his eyes discovered the mound and heap of rags that was all the remains of his First Officer Chinfong the Chinese man. What the hell!- He piously say, looking at the filthy seat. What happened, captain?- A voice resounded from the other side of the cabin. Professor Fudge! What are you doing here? I forbid the passengers to come to this place.- Captain Shilar said, noting that his voice was coming out slow and difficult by the emotion of that decease. Pardon me, Sir, but I want to ask you about the termination of our voyage. How many days to arrive to Earth?- Professor Fudge asked him. I am still gathering data, so I cannot tell right now. See that rags over there? That is our First Officer and companion Chinfong! As you can see, he is quite dead, and from a long period of time.- Shilar said, trying to cope with the moment- he was looking at the energy field- as little as a mouse, and diminishing by the second; soon the lights will flicker out and soon the cold of space will reign supreme- he reach a conclusion, and said: Go and tell your people that I need them all in here as soon as you can move your legs! I fly.- The professor said, as the artificial gravity was failing in right that moment; so he jumped out of the room as a small rocket. Shilar was not willing to think in his economic future any more- here was the end of all his ambitions; he decided Fate was appointed him as a looser- that was a sure thing, he said to himself, formulating the idea without words. The lifesaver boats- that was the ultimate opportunity they had- three old models attached to the underside- he jumped from his seat, and begin searching for a spacesuit, and once he puts it on, he went back to the control room- the students and the teacher were there, talking loud and shrill; he said:

Listen to me! We suffered an accident while we were in Deep Sleep! Now we must safe our lives! This vessel has no energy to sustain our lives here! But what do you want to do? Cant you ask for help?- A woman asked him. Yes, we are hailing in all frequencies now! But we are way out in deep space- I doubt they could hear us!- Captain Shilar said. But they could hear us in time to save us! What do you pretend to do, instead?- The other woman asked, with keen eyes. There are three lifesaver emergency boats- in them we could arrive to a planetin here, we will freeze very soon.- He said, sensing the temperature was dropping fast. You are the Captain! Tell us what we do now!- A man said, eagerly. Accompany me! There are some spacesuits for you- not everyone as comfortable as the one I am using, but itll do, for the present circumstances.Captain Shilar said, realizing that they were in real danger. They fumbled with the spacesuits while he was dressing them one by one, until the last one- the professor, with blue lips- was finished. Then he set the ideal temperature- 18 degrees Centigrade- and guided them to the small shuttles. Now you are going to be inside of this vessels until I give the order of departure; I must return to the control room, in order to position the Freighter as close as possible to the nearest planet.- Shilar said, looking the despair creep on their faces. At the control room, he said: Central computer: set course for the nearest terraformed planet. Impossible, Sir. The energy is not available- I am using the remnant from an emergency source right now.- The Main Computer said. Where are we heading?- He asked, looking at the stars through a monitor. We are approaching the third planet of the nearest planetary system, Sir. This has been going on since I decided the energy was not sufficient to keep on returning to our previous destination point: Earth. Very well, then. Time to reach the orbit around the third planet?- Shilar asked, and he heard the answer as from very far: Five weeks, Sir. We cant be waiting for so long! Im using the emergency shuttles- at top speed, how much to the third planet?- Shilar asked. Four days, Sir. Top speed will be acquired in one hour and half at full throttle, Captain. After that, you will glide as you can. Guess we had little chance to reach the planet alive.- Captain Shilar said, abated. Twenty per cent of chance, Sir. Good luck. AB 3990 saying good bye, energy worn out.- Was the last phrase of the Main Computer of the Kongovelga, that now was moving in a large orbit without any impulse power. Very well, I will not die without a dire fight.- Shilar said, and in a bag he takes what he thinks it will be needed after the landing. When arriving to the shuttles, he said: I will set the departure in automatic; every shuttle will be directed to the nearest habitable planet; be confident, we are going to live pass these moments of peril. Of course, he said to himself, this was a bluff; with 20 per cent possibilities, the end result was very dark. Professor: I told you this space freighter was going to collapse before our arrival to Earth!- A lady said, in shrill tones; the professor moved his head, and

said: We are in the hands of our own personal destiny; let us hope we will be rescued before long. Shilar takes his seat at the front of the first shuttle craft, and managed to program the other shuttles to follow in line after some minutes- then he pressed the red button, and the machine snapped free from the Freighter, and raced ahead top speed; the passengers were not prevented, so they were very frightened; to talk in those circumstances was non useful (by the roar of the engines) so he just stay silent during the acceleration period- that as the main computer had predicted, lasted for an hour and a half; then the engines used the last ounce of combustible and stopped. The silence was amazing, for those people not accustomed to the rareness of space; Shilar looked on the controls, and he was sure the planet was not going to pass away; the matter now was not to go head on unto the atmosphere, as the risk of to became a shooting star was very high. You can stir your legs as you could, people! We have a large journey ahead.Shilar said. How large?- Professor Fudge asked him. Four days, Sir. I brought some food, so you will be not starving- any of you . But water we have not much; so please take what I will be offering, and dont ask for more- plenty of water at our arrival to the planet.- Shilar said, not knowing if there was water at the end of their trek. The professor and a student was all there were in that shuttle- it was a man, and while they talk, Shilar remembered his name as Gotogo. From the other shuttles begin to be received messages by radio; mostly about food and water; Shilar told them how to find it on shelves that existed on the small cabins behind panels. And dont forget we are going to be traveling during four days through space! Do not eat or drink too much at the beginning.- Shilar recommended, thinking how it would be at the planet itself- food and drink available? Atmosphere suitable? None of those questions could be answered with the limited means at his disposal- the lifesaver boats were not supposed to scan any of those things. Theres a problem, Captain: there are no bathrooms in here.- A voice said by the radio; Shilar looked at the panel and it was shuttle two, the one with Mary and Leonor. There is no bathroom there, lady. You must rely on your spacesuit to receive the depositions; dont worry, there are two bags in there, enough for our trip.Shilar said. But Captain, we dont know how to use it!- The same voice said, after a pause. Just do what it is supposed that you do in this case! The bag its in place.Shilar said, smiling. But I put my dress before this special suit! Did it work just the same?- The lady asked, and someone laughed at shuttle number three. No, Im afraid it will not work, lady. Who are you, by the way?- Shilar asked. Mary, Sir. Well, Mary, you must take off your spatial suit and undress completely- then you put the special suit again. Theres no other way.- Shilar said. Professor Fudge said: Me, too! I must take my pants off too!- And begin fumbling inside the small cabin, under the indulgent smile of Captain Shilar- this action was also accomplished by almost everyone on those shuttles.

The attraction exerted from the planet 3 was speeding the shuttles to its orbit in a small way; it was a blue sphere no greater than a one centimeter wide ball, surrounded by the blackness of space; there was no moon in sight. No moons.- He murmured. Yes! I was looking at the sphere- no moon, no tides and no a lot of things to make life bearable. I must envision such a planet.- Professor Fudge said. Soon there your envision will be not needed; well be in the midst of it.- Shilar said. Of course, to envision its to foresee. Weather will be different- no summer or winter; just the temperature the location of a particular spot on the planet will tell which kind of weather will be in each spot.- Professor Fudge said. Equatorial places will be very hot.- Shilar said. Perhaps unbearable to man! Near the poles the weather will be nice- I suppose.- Professor Fudge said. Too distant now to see if there is ice on those parts.- Shilar said. Soon well be approaching and we will see; from here, a blue planet seems a good place to land.- Professor Fudge said. I like the sea; perhaps we could surf in there.- Mr. Gotogo said. First, you will need to carve a surf table.- Shilar smiled; he had seen the brave young men surfing the waves in Hawaii; nice shows and find women in that island. No problem with that.- Gotogo said, smiling- he was a professional surfer, and what he does not know about surf could be written on the surface of a fingernail. The freighter is following us? Professor Fudge said. Yes, it will be orbiting the planet soon after we land.- Shilar said, thinking the landings were going to be real difficult. A metallic sound was heard; Mr. Gotogo said: Do you hear that? Yes, a ping.- Professor Fudge said. Perhaps some micrometeorite; this place is unknown to man- no navigational charts had been made, to avoid those perils.- Shilar said. In the next four hours, several more micrometeorites banged against the hull, and from the other shuttles they were calling for explanations; Shilar said to all of them by the radio: I hope this will not continuous, as this lifesaver boats are made for small runs only; but we are approaching the planet, and soon this will be over. From shuttle number three the voice of Askiforgion comes: I had received several big meteorites that rock the ship! Can I move this vehicle to the side, in case I see some bigger one coming my way? Shilar said: This shuttles has no fuel, so you cannot make a move with them! Hope this shower of micrometeorites will end. And that was all he could hope; no action was possible for them all. That night was like someone was knocking to get inside; the micrometeorites hits the shuttle at a rate of four per hour; Shilar was really worried, as a puncture will forced them to use the special suits- where oxygen was storage just for two hours of breathing! At the next day, the shower diminished to a occasional hit; hope increased, they begin talking by the radio in a communal way; Professor Fudge was lecturing them at hearts content, much of it very boring; Shilar knows much of it, being on his field of knowledge: meteors, planets and distances; radio waves, infrared light and the like.

At the afternoon of their second day on space, the meteorite shower ends; they were looking at the planet 3 every now and then, and it certainly was bulging on the distance. Time passed and the first shuttlecraft arriving to planet III was the one where Shilar, Professor Fudge and Gotogo were traveling to. CHAPTER FIVE. PLANET III ON A UNKNOWN PLANETARY SYSTEM ON HORSE HEAD NEBULA CONSTELLATION. On his Cretaceous period (Like Earth 145.5 - 65.5 million years ago). The Cretaceous was a period with a relatively warm climate and high eustatic sea level. The oceans and seas were populated with marine reptiles, ammonites and rudists; and the land by dinosaurs. At the same time, new groups of mammals and birds as well as flowering plants appeared. On Earth planet, the Cretaceous ended with one of the largest mass extinctions in Earth history, the K-T extinction, when many species, including the dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and large marine reptiles, disappeared. The small chrome lifesaver craft speeded down at 125.000 kilometers per hour. The front side became sparkling red, while the temperature rises at the interior several degrees Centigrade. The spacesuits on, the occupants perspiring and waiting for the worst. The shuttle appears from the clouds to a shiny world in its midday. The object plunges to a shallow sea and at the bottom (twenty three meters) hissed until its exterior was again cold. We depart, now. We are under water, but the space suits will protect us from drowning and from decompression problems.- Shilar said. Gotogo broke his neck.- Professor Fudge said, after looking the body of his pupil. Shilar moves to the rear and revise the body of the unfortunate boy; his head was certainly moving sidewise like the head of a puppet.. Broke it is! Certainly its pivoting now. It is a pity, he was a good young fellow. The Captain was well aware that the splashing into the waves was real hard, and Gotogos neck didnt stand such a pressure, perhaps because of his age. Be ready, professor Fudge! Now is when we depart from this spaceship!Shilar announced through the radio communicator that each helmet had inserted as standard element. He pulled the lever to the external air intake- that let come in the salt water inside with great pressure; soon everything was flooded and bubbles were dancing everywhere. 66 Shilar opened the lock and said: Now, Professor, for the big ascension! Just go out and drift! The air on your suit will take you up. Dont unscrew your helmet and all will be fine! I get it! Good luck to you, too!- The professor Fudge said, leaving the cabin. Shilar looked how the professor Fudge raise enveloped by the bubbles; the obscurity was so dense, despite the feeble light from the rear part of his helmet, that the Captain was not sure if he could see or he was only imagining things.

He went out of the Shuttle, and closed the door- so it could rest there as a tomb for poor Gotogo without the interfering of fish, so he could rest there in peace for almost ever. He let the suit takes him up- slowly at first, then rushing up with force- he sensed a strong current- bubbles everywhere- until his head was above the waters. A cloudy sky and waves all around, some of them toppling over him, foaming with the rushing wind. Many a time was immersed deep into the sea, by gigantic waves; when that happened, he try to form a ball with his body, not to be dismembered with such forces. Hours later, the submarine current throws him unto a rocky beach- his strongly built astronaut costume ripped; he crept on dry land, beaten and with two broken ribs and a swollen knee. Rain was pouring from high, and he rested among the black rocks for many hours, until the night came and with it the fiery rays streaking like silver lances. The cold of the night makes her head tingle, and his thoughts were on Professor Fudges Whereabouts; could he had landed safely or was he out on the sea, struggling with those mountains of water? He slept and at dawn the roaring of the sea awoke him to another cloudy sky; he stands up looking at his helmet-smashed where the battery was located, the radio transmitter no longer able to work. Communication with the rest of the castaways was no longer able, by that means. Past the beach, a big forest was there, dark and ominous- he could breath that salty air, with gushes of rain and flying foam from the nearby sea. The tree trunks were covered with lichen, and the ground covered with leaves and branches in decay. He shivered; now his body was only covered with rags and one of his boots was missing. The pain in the chest was hot and pungent; he could only breathe in short inspirations, or else lances of fire shook unto his chest. His swollen leg permits him to walk only by short periods of time- it feels like broken glass was inside. The light was enough to see around until a hundred meters- beyond that, a pail of gloomy gray exist. Suddenly, an animal big as a house crossed by his left side very rapidly; he crouched unto the moist ground, the stomping was powerful and terrifying. Dinosaurs!- He mumbled in terror- he knew the beasts, being a man from planet Knapp, but always the approach had been by holographic videos or at the big zoos. Now, he was among them! He walked carefully soon other beasts appear, their hides streaming water from the rain. After a day of walking, he rest under big roots that could hide him from predators- he had seen them- not everyone was an herbivore on those woodsthe difference was the predators announced their presence by that big roaring that almost immobilize their preys for some seconds- enough for them to take advantage while running at a charge- bumping over those herbivores, stumbling them to the ground, biting and gnawing at them viciously until any possibility of escape was nil. Captain Shilar!-

Shilar heard that voice and turns around. It was Professor Fudge, attached by whitish cords to a tree. He run to help him but professor Fudge said: Dont touch me! I am condemned already! Why? Who had tied you? This cords looks like plastic or something very similar!- Shilar shouted back. Its a beast! It tied me to the tree trunk! I have a wound on my back and its burning go away before the beast comes back!- Professor Fudge said. Shilar pulled a cord- strong as a root, it didnt bulge- he search for a stoneamong the wet leaves he finds one with a cutting edge; with it he returns. Professor Fudge was looking greener- the stone cuts one, two cords and when Shilar looked at the face of Professor Fudge, his mouth was opening and opening in an horrible way. What is happening to you?- Shilar asked, terrified- from inside that throat, out of the mouth comes a thing- locust-like or spider- with large skinny legs, the color of a frog, bleached- like, the head was large with a mouth protruding with tiny teeth- many of them. Damn it!- Shilar said, backing from that body, where more and more creatures were running out- hissing and with blood still on their shielded bodies. Panting, tears running down his face, Shilar kept going at a trot, with that image glued to his brain- the body of professor Fudge still attached to that tree trunk, with the cavern that was his face giving birth to a swarm of spiders. The terrain descended to a swamp- Shilar avoid it, going by a side, reaching a promontory- a river was pouring its waters down in a brown cataract. On a rock, Shilar seats for a while- black clouds were over the gloomy landscape- he was alone and sad- the sole survivor of the shuttle craft. The wind became a gale, and he seek refuge under a big rock, near a ravine full of vegetation. Shrill sounds come to his hears- not only the wind and the rain, but also from animals that roams the territory, moaned and belched of their own individual circumstances. The rain was now a downpour. Thunder and lightning rocked the land. Three lightings struck the forest almost at the same time, and roars of terror and fury followed suit, dimmed by the rattling drops. He spotted some figures running among the trees- larges than men, but their legs were obviously different. They disappear among the bushes like a vision. Shilar grabs a stone- he had no weapons to defend himself, only in his inner self he was reputing them as useless against the big predators. The night obscured everything for Shilars eyes but not impaired his olfactory and listening senses; when a growl that sounded not 30 meters away startled him almost out of his senses, as a wet and stinky smell hits his nostrils- terror grips his mind, and he begin recoiling from it- he heard how that animal was also hearing him and trying to meet him fast; he begin running and turning direction, as well as falling to the ground a couple of times, until he lost his pursuer. At dawn, he was already awake and looking at all sides; soon he spotted a brown figure, lying flat on the ground, but big enough to raise two meters from the surrounding area. Shilar was looking at that creature, trying to discern what to do, when the animal stands from the ground in a quick movement and begin racing against another animal, sleeker and smaller than him. To Shilar, the new prey was one of those bipeds he had seen the day before.

Shilar didnt waste another minute, and departed in other direction, at a trot he maintained until his side aches too much from exertion. His knee was almost recovered from the bruise, only his ribs still were aching. Then he was on marshland, where lots of big insects abide; slow moving because of the cold weather, they produce mounds and stretches of dry land, pathways over the salty waters by which Shilar could walk without wetting his feet- now he had discarded the only boot left. He smashed a locust like creature thirty centimeters long, and eat its flesh- hunger diminished, he drink water from the rain. He saw big crocodiles and huge snakes on the water; also fish- brown and scaly, shinning on the muddy swamp. Later that stretch of swamp ends and Shilar was again on the woods, where food was not easy to get- big animals in all four were there. The smaller ones were like lizards and he was not tempted to kill them and eat. Before dusk, he saw three Utah raptors drinking on a pond and several Sinosauropteryx fighting and biting each other. Shilar searched for a big stick to defend himself, and it was a good idea, because minutes later the same pack of Utahraptors appears running against him Shilar runs in circles using the stick with force he sense how bones cracks each time he hits a Utahraptor; soon they escape, with some of them limping or stumbling to the sides. The wood passes through two enormous mountains- Shilar saw two big Polacanthus that like guards were there to eat whatever went by their side- so he climbed to a mountain; rocks and pebbles and not a tree was there; the rain was heavy and Shilar was moving slowly because of the mud. He was able to see how the forest keeps his course after that passageway through both hills; dark green, the trees lived there in great profusion. Shilar descended to the open forest wet and muddy. At the first pond he found, he takes a bath, and revised his clothes- a ragged pant, a piece of shirt and nothing more. Tears flow to his eyes, mingling with the rain; he had accepted his bad luck, but something inside of him was crying. He eat some small round eggs he found among roots, and its sour taste makes him drink some water- it was that or nothing. No fruits available there- in fact, he has not seen fruits in all the days he was living as a castaway. He jumped to a tree and moves fast up- a green bipedal creature three meters tall and five meters long almost catches him while passing near several close rooted trees- the creature resembles much to a Stygimoloch and gnawed at the tree trunk in fury. Shilar looked at him until the creature went away- it was green scaled, big arms and his side and a head full of spikes- that an its red eyes makes him appear to the old Earth creature named Satan. Four days later, he arrives to a series of mountains that stretched to the horizon- impossible to surpass, he begin walking by the borders between forest and hills- he finds many eggs that were laid by Pachycephalosaurus . He seats on a rock, at midday, and suddenly he saw a sphere or balloon coming above the forest; he stands up, amazed. Under the balloon, attached by cords, a basket. Shilar waved to the occupants- he notices they were humans, and the balloon passed directly over his head- at two hundred meters high. Obviously, the balloonist didnt love to land where the point of return to wherever they traveled was too far for them- but they throw him a small brown bag- Shilar finds a

woven sweater and two bread-like objects- inedible. That makes him think about the real nature of those balloonists- were they really humans? He keep on going by the side of the hills, searching for food and sleeping in holes that he made, half covered by stones, not to freeze by night and not to be surprised by a meat eater! AT the next morning, Shilar saw three more balloons heading to the mountains; this were flying very high so his waving and yelling makes no impression on them, that in an hour time were out of sight. Shilar saw a plume of smoke at the next hill- when approaching, he saw a man seated on a rock, staring at him. Cantogar!- Said, approaching and reading the fear on the face of that man. Who are you?- He asked. Captain Shilar, of course! Well, I was the captain; now Im plain Shilar.- He said, and of course his outer appearance was very different: half naked, bearded and with entangled hair. Captain Shilar! Really!- Cantogar said. Are you alone, in here?No, Captain! Im with Mary, Eleanor, Fishburn and Askiforgion; their ship also landed near the one that brought me here. And they are? Hunting. I cant hunt- my leg was broken when landing- now its soldered together, but not in the correct position.- Cantogar said. Pity to hear that, but at least you have good friends that helps you survive. Yes. And you was traveling with Professor Fudge and Gotogo. Where are they? Dead. Professor Fudge was captured by one insect and his body serves as the host to the eggs- I found him at his final stage- when those locust-like creatures begin crawling out of his head.- Shilar explained. Very horrible indeed!- Cantogar was terrified. And the other passenger was Gotogo all right; he died when the shuttle landsin fact, plunge into the sea- we come out of the shuttle using our special suitsa terrible storm play with us for hours, and there it was the Professor Fudge and I split course, separated we were.- Shilar said. You were lucky to arrive here, then! Possibly. Have you seen the balloons? Which balloons? Those manned by humanoids! They passed above my head- two hundred meters high- they throw me clothes- see? This sweater was made by them. Incredible! So there are people in this planet? People, yes, but homo sapiens, who knows? With the sweater comes a pair of sandwiches made of grass. Ants? Dont know. They could be a number of things! They keep on talking and before dusk, the rest of the team returns to that place, carrying some lettuce-like groceries and two small dinosaurs- Oviraptors. Hes the captain Shilar!- Cantogar announced, and the others left their trophies on the ground to greet him. Shilar saw in their eyes a glint of hope he was not sure he could fulfill.

I had traveled for days through woods and mountains. I had seen dinosaurs and dangerous insects- also balloons piloted by humanoids._ Shilar said to them. Fishburn said: We are happy to have you back! But, where are your companions? Gotogo died when crash landing, and Professor Fudge was captured by some creature that uses him as a host for a very large number of spider-like bugs.Shilar resumed. How pitiful!- Mary said. Do you believe help could arrive to us soon?- Eleanor asked. I dont think so- the message will take so many years arriving to the known parts of the Universe, That we will be all dead by then.- Shilar said. The night is coming. Lets go to our refuge.- Cantogar asked, and the rest helped him walk to the cave four hundred meters up hill; the entrance had logs and rubble, that was put aside to get inside; then they close the hole again with rubble. Were you attacked?- Shilar asked them. Several times! But we defend ourselves.- Fishburn said, pointing to several lances that lie on the ground. What kind of animals were they?- Shilar asked. Troodon, small but numerous- we killed seven and then they stopped coming here.- Askiforgion said. A faint glow was produced by some pieces of equipment salvaged from the shuttles, so they could see inside the cave. Cantogar and Fishburn skinned and chop the Oviraptors and in a helmet they cook it over a fire- with some vegetables. The smell makes Shilars mouth watery, and he said: Cooking! I had been eating eggs and roots since I set foot on this land. Now youll have soup.- Mary said, smiling. The night, for him, was not the terrible loneliness he was enduring since his arrival to the planet. Now they were snorts and familiar sounds he breathing; he was no longer alone. At dawn, Fishburn awakes him by saying: Do you want to join us? Its our turn to fetch the meal. For sure!- Shilar said, yearning to get a position on the social group- he was not going to take advantage of His former position- and he was seeing the ex students of professor Fudge were of the same idea. Do you think those humanoids have some city close to this place?- Fishburn asked. I dont think so! I saw those aerial vehicles coming from the forest; and as you saw, this forest seems to be very large! And they were trying to traverse the mountains by the air! Possibly there is flat land at the other side.- Shilar said. I had climbed the nearest mountain, and theres no flat land in sight! Just mountains filling the landscape until the horizon.- Fishburn said. They were now by the forest; they found eggs and they put them on bags; after three hours of walk, they arrive to a place where a stream was dwindling among the ferns.

This is hunting land! Pay attention! We are going to be on the other side of this small place where Hypsilophodon appears! You try to guide them where we will be. Dont be scared of them- they are timid and will not attack you, only if you dont show them youre afraid. All right! I think Ill manage it.- Shilar replied. The rain begin again to fall, and in minutes everything was wet- included Shilar; he sneezed a couple of times, and then, amid the mist, he saw a heard of Hypsilophodon advancing. Immediately he yelled, running against them and waving his arms. For a moment, those Hypsilophodon stared at him, and then begin to run to the opposite side; Fishburn and Askiforgion appear, sending several lances against the creatures. Two of them were stabbed, and among every hunter was finished with stone blows. Now we have dinner!- Fishburn said, panting. They return camp with their trophies- Cantogar and the two women begin butchering it with metal pieces brought from the crashed lifesaver shuttle craft. This was young.- Mary said. Lit the fire!- Eleanor commanded, and using the crystals from the wreckage, they used the sun (star of that system) to start a fire. Soon they had a barbecue. I see you are smart with the lances! In a short while you had acquired real skill!- Shilar said. Well, Fishburn was a sportsman! He teaches us.- Mary said. Really? - Shilar asked, looking at him. Yes! I was in training before I have the luminous idea of to start traveling with professor Fudge.- Mary smiled. Well, it was certainly of help for the rest of us.- Cantogar said, looking up- in the distance, he saw an object. Look! Another balloon is coming!- He signaled with his outstretched hand. They all waved and Cantogar increased the fire, to put green leaves there, to make a smoke signal. The balloon keeps on in its course and altitude. They are trying not to be hindered by us. They are prone to cross the mountains up on the sky.- Shilar said. Whoever they are, knows better. If they land in here, they could get marooned.- Fishburn said. I think they could rise again! Its a matter of weight!- Cantogar said, thinking the balloonist could leave weight and soar up again. Could be that they have reasons we ignore.- Mary said. Of course.- Fishburn mumbled- in some way, the happiest of that barbecue had vanished. After eating, Fishburn and Askiforgion went to bury the rest far from the refuge, in case the smell could attract the possible scavengers. Shilar was called to watch for any danger, as some Maiasaurus were seen on the forest. Those animals could sense our doings here- possibly they will approach to see what we were digging.- Fishburn said. Truly enough!- Askiforgion said, sniffing rain keeps on pouring, and the hole was soon a pond; the remains thrown were covered with stones and branches. That will suffice! Fishburn said, straightening up and became immobile, eyes transfixed on the woods. Shilar looked to what he was staring up, and he saw a Carnotaur standing among the trees. Stay immobile!- Askiforgion said.

The head of the Carnotaur moved to the sides and suddenly spotted them; with a grunt, he moves forward. Start running!- Shilar said, and they all begin the race to the place of hiding; three seconds later, Shilar looked back and the Carnotaur was half the original distance closer. We will never make it!- Askiforgion said with despair. Shilar decided that he could run faster downhill no matter the Carnotaur was between him and the woods, and started running down at break neck descent. He noticed the seven meters long and the frontal looking eyes; the pair of arms dangled at the sides, totally useless- they were small and with four fingers. The animal produced an angry bellow, and some Caudipteryx went flying up from some trees. Shilar sensed the stench of the creature- a mixture of perspiration and male organs. Askiforgion followed him on his idea, but in other direction; the Carnotaur was now heading towards them. Shilar run past a leg of the Carnotaur that almost chop his head off with a swift movement of his tail; he jumped to the ground and the scales burnt a trail on his back; then he keeps on running, seeing that the beast was targeted Askiforgion, snapping his head seconds later; then he produced a growl and started upShilar was on all fours, has he stumbled on some branches head on. Correct.- He told to himself, disentangling from those bramble bushes. The night was close, so he ascended to a big tree and waited there for the morning; long hours of raining weather made him think what was the point of so much struggle, when his percentage of survival from the woods was minimal; but life was strong in him and didnt give up; he stay there perched on a branch until the light of a new day shows him the beauty of vegetation at his fullness; colors and smells slowly being discerned through the mist. He went down after some more time; no need to hurry, he said to himself- the tragedy already produced, there was no point in a swift return to the cave; he arrives to the point where every eye on the forest could spot him easily ascending the mountain, but it was no other way to return there but risking his life; fortunately, the fiery Carnotaur was already in other feeding grounds, and the rest of the predators werent hunting at that hour- the cave was still secured by the inside, so he yelled to be heard; soon the rocks begin to be putted aside, and the head of Mary appears, wide eyed. Hi! Its me, Shilar.- He said to the dame. Hi! Where are the rest?- She asked, while still working to widen the entrance. They are all dead.- Shilar said, helping her with the rocks. I cannot believe it! Are you sure?- Mary asked, paled. Yes, I cant make jokes with this matter.- He said, seeing the others coming out of the cave and looking around. What happened?- Cantogar asked, looking puzzled. We were digging to hide the bones of our last dinner, when a Carnotaur come unto his at full speed; I escape by the width of an inch.- Shilar said, showing his ripped sweater and the wound recently received on his back. I will clean that wound; those animals are poisonous.- Mary said, walking inside the cave. Which animal it was?- Eleanor said, weeping. A Carnotaur seven meters tall and with a big mouth.- Shilar remembered it.

You are certainly lucky! People die all around you, but you keep on living.Cantogar said, bitterly. Im sorry I am not among the dead, pal!- Shilar replied, angrily. Mary went out of the cave, and seeing they were not in the best of moods, she said: Calm down! We cant begin quarreling among us, now we are all in mortal danger! Let me see that wound, and seat down on a rock.- She asked to Shilar; he seats and she mops the wound with a piece of cloth, using some water she had on a bottle. This is pure water; we had no penicillin or any other thing in here.- She makes it clear for him. Yes, I suppose you want to help.- Shilar said, still angered with Cantogar, who walked to a rock and seats there with Eleanor weeping at his side. She was in love with Fishburn.- Mary said to Shilar, meaning Eleanor. Well, in here life and death means little thing, as I am seeing; the minute we arrive here the deaths begin.- Shilar said. And I dont think its my bad luck, only. Why do you say that? - Mary asked, finishing her job on his back. Gantogar is putting the blame on me.- Shilar explained. Well, forgive his words! We are under big stress in here!- Mary said, touching Shilar right shoulder briefly. Yes, I guess we are all under stress. Is there a safe place in here?- Shilar asked. I assume we had a good place to hide; possibly for ever!- Mary said, in sad tones. While they were there, the rain never stopped, but now several rays begin to tear the sky and Mary said: We better went all inside; its dangerous when rays are falling this way! They all went inside the cave, closing half way the entrance with stones; Cantogar reminds there, looking outside; Shilar and the rest went to the inner portion. This cave measures seven meters long and three meters wide; with a roof of three meters in the highest portion.- Mary said, while Eleanor sobbed in a corner. Nice but small for to be here hours and hours on end!- Shilar said. We slept when we are here; I guess you slept on a tree or in a hole on the ground, last night?- Mary asked, smiling. On a tree, all right; but sleeping was not what I did on top; just dozing.- Shilar replied. Well, time to sleep, then! There is a place where you could sleep awhile; Styrofoam from a wall of our nearest shuttle craft.- Mary indicated, and he went there to sleep; soon she was with him, saying: I guess I will sleep, too- I guess you dont mind me being at your side? Of course not; it will help keeping us both warmer.- He said, smiling happily, and she smiled back; she was almost dressed, with pants and a strong jacket; she retire her boots and said: You certainly has almost no clothes on! Perhaps we could borrow some materials from the shuttle, to make you a fine dress. Ill be delighted.- He said, while she covers both of them with a blanket. I was unable to scavenge things from my shuttle, who now lies a hundred meters below the sea.Real deep.- She said.

I guess its that profundity! It was very dark and it takes a long while to arrive to the surface.- He said. You must be terrified- so thats why you think you were a hundred meters below the surface!- Mary laughed. He likes the way she laughs, but he was real sure the profundity was at the least a hundred meters. He loves the moment and enjoyed it; the lady was warm at his side, no need of sexual exertions nor romantic declarations; just to lay there and sleep. He slept. Several hours later, he awoke and Mary was still at his side, sleeping; Eleanor was not weeping any more- she was on the floor, sleeping under some blankets- and Cantogar was nowhere in sight- possibly still at the door, keeping watch. He was laying there, with that soft heated air- no good ventilation there, but that was good, as the exterior temperature was not of his liking- too cold and too wet. He stands up and went to the entrance; Cantogar was not in his post- rocks were laid aside, so should be outside, Shilar thought Outside it was almost dark- too many rain drops to bear, makes the day as night- the rocks were polished with water. Shilar walked around the entrance, and Cantogar was not to be seen; a wave of fear strikes him, and returns to the interior; he put stones on the entrance, blocking almost all the hole- and return to his bed and Mary; who said: Do you went outside? Yes, but I didnt see Cantogar- guess he went to do a walk.- He said. Possibly! We use not this hole as a bathroom, you know- or it would stink horribly.- She said, while he bedded again. Oh, well, I close the entrance with rocks- guess I should go there and takes them out?- He half questioned the matter. No, dont worry! He know how to remove rocks; come, Ill heat your body now.- She said, but soon they were kissing, and the previously ascetic scene dissolved in a turmoil of fire and passion- the woman was really in need, and for a moment, they both forget where they were and steps right down the hallway of Paradise itself. Later, they heard the sound of rocks pulling over, and they stand up together with Eleanor, who said: That must be Cantogar! And indeed he was; wet and with bad humor, he said: Its all mud, out there! We should think about leaving this site!- And he went inside, to sleep. Shilar went out with the women, and said: We should let him sleep; why dont we explore this side of the mountain? Perhaps we could find a better place. Mary said: Better place in here? We had seen it all around this place! Nothing of value! We should walk to the Equator, dont you think? We are way down south, in here- perhaps the weather could be warmer, at the Equator. Shilar had already give some thought to that, so he said: We should walk for miles and miles! I remember this planet its a bit larger than Knapp- and Earth. So we should walk thousands of miles to arrive near the equator. Lets walk until we find no rains.- Eleanor said, and the rain was pouring over her face, giving her a weeping look. With Cantogar wounded? We would walk at a turtles pace, dont you think?Mary asked them, taking Shilars arm.

Of course, we should go without him.- Shilar said, expecting rebuttal, but it was nothing of it; instead, they agreed with him- the guy was ill mannered and with eternal bad temper, since his leg was twisted. I assume he will be better without us! You know how he looks at us! With hate. Perhaps one day he could decide to kill us all in the night.- Mary said. Lets go, then, now he is sleeping.- Shilar said, and they begin walking along the side of that mountain. As it was clouded, the north was not discernible, so they just walk away from the cave, mostly to get away from the lame man. At midday, they were three mountains away from the cave, and Mary said: Wish we could find somewhere to sleep tonight; I dont want to walk into the woods to sleep perched on a branch. Lets find a cave.- Shilar said, looking up; plenty of rocks and boulders were there in sight; they climb and found some holes on the rock, but nothing like a cave. Guess we could climb a little more.- Eleanor said, walking to the summit. The cold was great, and the rain makes the ground slippery; they found a small cave, with a rocky ceiling. This looks rather fine.- Shilar said, looking at the women. They smiled back, and Mary said I cannot give anymore steps! Wish we could remind here for the rest of the day. All right.- Shilar said, while Eleanor spread the only piece of cloth on the floor, saying: Guess we are going to sleep together- we left the rest of the cloth on the other cave. No problem.- Mary said, leaning down; soon they were all sleeping there, exhausted by the climbing; when Shilar awoke, several hours later, they were in utter darkness; he look out of the cave, seeing almost nothing outside; the rain keeps on pouring, with an occasional thunder in the distance; the cold air was blowing downhill. Suddenly, he heard a rhythmic noise, and a small vehicle with a searchlight was coming up hill; he waved at this apparition, sensing it was their salvation; soon the vehicle stops near the cave, and two persons dressed in yellow suits descended; their faces were saurian. Shilar recoil a couple of steps, astonished; the occupants of the vehicle were staring at him with round black eyes, set on a green scaled face. One of them opened his mouth slightly, and produced a muffled sound; a dark red tongue was visible. I need help- shelter and food.- Shilar said, feeling himself ridiculous; those persons obviously were not going to understand him. The saurian were 1.60 meters high, slender and their suits has no shoes; just only enveloped their feet, somewhat bigger than usual for a human their size. They approached, and take him by the arms; with gentle pressure, they urged him to get close to that vehicle- Shilar signaled to the cave, trying to convey them the idea there were more people inside; they let him walk inside, and he said: Wake up! Theres help outside! The women went out in astonishment, and were afraid to look unto the saurian; Mary said: They are not humane! Perhaps they want to eat us later! The two saurian remains with them for a while, and then they leave the place without giving them more attention; their vehicle keeps on climbing the mountain.

Lets get out of here! Why do you call on them? Now they know where to find us!- Mary said to Shilar. They spotted me first! What could I possibly do, then? Lets go, if you are so afraid!- Shilar said, taking both women by the hand and descending to the woods; the silence on it was not good for their nerves, and Eleanor said: Theres something evil lurking around here! I hear no sounds at all! Could be a big hunter.- Mary murmured. Shilar was on the look for any threat, and soon they arrive to a stream; they drink water from it, apparently pure. Tastes good.- Mary said, smiling. You were very afraid, up the hill.- Shilar reminded her. Of course! You know that Saurian eat people all the time! But I had never seen intelligent saurian before.- Mary conceded. They looked smart.- Eleanor said. Well, they are making cars and suits! They must live in a city.- Shilar said. What they were doing over the hill? Prospecting for minerals?- Eleanor asked. Wherever they were heading to, it was not us.- Shilar said. I dont trust saurian, intelligent or not.- Mary said, jumping above a rock. I have hunger.- Eleanor said, looking at Shilar. Yes, me too! Lets try to catch some bug to eat.- He said, smiling. Try to do a lance! With your bare hands youll never catch anything!- Mary said, laughing. Shilar did as told, and they catch two small Caudipteryx soon afterwards; the problem was to start a fire- they chipped stones, and while Shilar was trying to make sparks lit some splinters, Mary produced a smoke column and then fire using two wood pieces. See? Just a quarter of hour effort, and bingo, you had your fire.- Mary laughed, and he kissed him with gratitude. The rain begins soon afterwards and they moved the fire under a big tree, where they finished roasting the chunks of meat. Its tasty!- Mary said, chewing the not too edible Caudipteryx meat; Shilar smiled, thinking it was the second time on the planet that he could eat a hot meal. Eleanor was looking at the surrounding area with fright; she sensed danger but said nothing to her companions, not to spoil their meal. They extinguished the meat and Shilar said: we have several daylight hours still to walk! Perhaps we could find some shelter on our way. Yes, perched on a tree!- Mary said who was not happy to be inside that forest; they begin walking again, and they saw several Therizinosaurus ripping trees around a clearing; the big seven meter dinosaurs used their long claws to slice through the bark, and chew it afterwards. They look ferocious, but they are herbivores.- Mary said. Lucky for us.- Eleanor said, walking fast. Look! Eggs.- Shilar said, signaling with his hand to the left- several big eggs were inside a circular hole on the ground; Mary said: They must be of this giants! Better not even think about stealing one of those. Why not? They are very occupied ripping bark to notice we take one or two of their eggs.- Shilar said, walking to the hole; but soon he changes his mind, as a big Therizinosaurus gives a cry of alert, looking at them, and start striding to them.

Run!- Mary said, leaping forward; soon they were out of catch, and Eleanor said: Certainly they were in the alert! Yes! I will not try such a silly thing again!- Shilar added, with his heart bumping hard inside his chest That night they did slept on the branches of a big tree; Mary was laughing until late, perhaps because she refuses to think their situation was very desperate; Shilar looked at the sky, hoping to see some balloon coming to their rescuesomehow, he was also expecting for a way out of their situation. At dawn, they heard Centrosaurus roaring one another and smashing near- by tree trunks; Mary was terrified and said: wish we could be at our refuge at the mountains now! Shilar embraces her, sensing she was trembling with fright; Eleanor was also pale, and said: We must remind in here- no way we could descend now. They waited for an hour, and the Centrosaurus moved their quarrel some dozen meters away; Shilar said: We are going to descend and escape; follow me! They descended by the opposite side of the tree, and running fast, they put a considerable stretch of land between them and those Centrosaurus; when they hear their bellowing from afar, Shilar said; Guess we better find some river and try to reach the sea; I had never heard of dinosaurs near the coast. That you hadnt heard about does not mean they cannot live and thrive over there.- Mary said, but she was following him as one choice was like the other. For three days they marched, until they found a river; it was not much of a river, but it certainly will takes them to the sea- wherever this could be. The weather was bad, but the wind was replacing the rain until cold was more threat than dampness; the scant cloth they were using makes them catch colds and coughed most of the time; Shilar worked hard making a raft, and after seven days he finished it and using long branches they begin sailing by the river- it was hard work, but when arriving to the center of the river, the current takes the raft and makes it almost fly away; they were hanging on the ropes not to be washed away; the waves sweep the logs and they were very frightened; the branches they were using to guide the raft cracked with the strong force of the current, and in a day they covered a long distance ; but then the river widen and the current became soft and mild; they wait until they landed on the same side of the river, and went ashore very scared. I will never step on a raft in my entire life!- Mary said, leaning to a tree. Me neither!- Eleanor said, coughing; Shilar was smiling- the river was a good rider but also they could get drowned too easily, by lack of experience in rafting. They search for food, and having lost the lances, they eat some small eggs they found under a bush; later, they saw a big Edmontonia eating ferns; his head was like a small Flier and his eyes were round and shiny; the big beast didnt pay attention to them. A nice creature! Look unto his legs! Round and strong like a big log.- Shilar said with emotion. We are like ants at its side. I wonder how many of them are around this place.Mary said. They walked along the river, arriving to a place where the wood recede and only a wide expanse of long grass was in sight; the wind blows over it and the green leaves moved like waves in the sea. Beautiful landscape! Wish I had a camera to record it.- Eleanor said.

Soon the night will come, and we must search for a place where to sleep protected from meat eaters.- Mary remembered them. Lets seek refuge on the wood.- Shilar said, walking ahead; the grass was moisten with the occasional rain, and soon they were wet; a thunder resounds almost over their heads, and a strong rain beguine to pour down on them; they reach the woods and it was hard work to climb a tree, because of the streaking water. Lightning and thunder along the night makes them be on the alert almost every hour of the night; when dawn comes, they were sore eyed with the lack of sleep. They descended and walked, to make the muscles relax from the forced position above the ground; Shilar searching for eggs on the high grass, finding several small round and black eggs. whose species could it be?- Mary asked them. Who knows? Lets taste it.- Eleanor replied, eating the first; she made a grimace, saying: Tastes horrible! Lets search for some others! I will not taste them- too black means evil lurks around those eggs.- Mary said, walking away; soon they saw another black eggs nest- this was occupied by the mother, who hissed against them. A lizard!- Eleanor said, with distaste. Lizards- they all are lizards! But this one- is small and ugly.- Shilar said, throwing a stone to the female critter. The stretch of grass keeps for several kilometers long; the river was always at the right side, and a rumor was heard. What is that sound?- Mary asked, looking to the horizon. It seems a cataract.- Eleanor said, moments later- half a quarter of an hour later, they were looking at a big cataract, several kilometers wide; the fall was no less than 300 meters a great basin was down there, where the splash of the waters rocks the ground; several Pachycephalosaurus were grazing there, with their irate eyes looking towards them from time to time. Watch for those beasts! They had very dangerous heads.- Shilar said, feeling the moist of the waterfall on his face; Mary takes his hand, saying: A very wild world, this is it! And I could be your Eve. Oh, you knew about the myth Earth people still remember?- Shilar said, embracing her for some moments. Yes, I also went to school.- Mary said and laughed. Eleanor said: We should go down by some other way; here its too stiff! Shilar accented and they walked to the forest, searching for a pathway down hill; three kilometers away, they find a dirt road. People of some kind must use this road! Look, signs of wheels!- Shilar signaled to the ground. Trails of wheels were there to see. This is a Sign of a civilization! We must search for them! Better alien forms than dinosaurs.- Mary said, looking both ways- there were nobody in sight. They keep on walking, and find a sown field- rows of vegetables under the sun were there, two meters high; the seeds were inside a husk, hard to bite. Must be cooked in some way, possibly.- Eleanor murmured, after opening one of it. The farmer could be somewhere around here.- Mary said, and they keep on walking some more and then they saw a small village, with a dozen round houses with tile roofs.

Green people were there, a meter and half in height; when they saw them coming, went inside the houses and didnt come out when knocking on their doors. Afraid of our presence! Perhaps there are humans in this planet, too!- Mary said, blinking an eye. Yes, perhaps we are the enemy for them.- Eleanor guessed. Several gallimimus were tied with ropes to trees; they take a calf and went with it along the dirt road. Well roast it away from here! This people will not look on us with sympathy if we roast it in front of them.- Mary laughed. They are afraid of us. Perhaps human raiders go by this road, too.- Eleanor said. They certainly look like dinosaurs, dont you think? Not mammals at all.- Shilar said. Evolved dinosaurs; they are something like men.- Mary smiled to them. They roasted the gallimimus and after eating at hearts content, they went back to the river- after the cataract, the river was wider and full of vegetation their borders; Maiasaurus and Euplocephalus were on the banks, eating ferns and bellowing from time to time; they found several egg nests, but they were full and didnt eat them that day. I wonder how far the sea it could be.- Eleanor said. It must be somewhere.- Mary smiled, hugging Shilar, who was resting with his back to a tree. The sea is a good provider- clam and other species must be on the shore.Eleanor said. The weather was cold but the rains had stopped; huge clouds were to be seen on the sky. They walk for hours and though they did not stop for food or rest, the afternoon was so fresh and the landscape so gentle that they felt no fatigue. They cover at least thirty or forty miles, the dull grey glow on the horizon became darker until the night was on them. Lets sleep in that outcropping of rocks.- Shilar said, and they didnt fight the idea- otherwise dangerous- as they were feeling exhausted. Mary said, when lying on the grass: Will we journey across this plain forever, searching for some help that never come? Why not? It is pleasant to walk with a goal in mind with pleasant company as you both. Shilar replied, caressing her. But nothing is truly endless, not even our journey, and everyone has a destination, whether they know it or not. - Eleanor said, at his other side. Of course, Eleanor; soon our luck wills change- man was not created to be alone.- Shilar said, and both women get close to him, with the night all around them and occasional bellowing from the big dinosaurs. At the next day they walked by the forest, and in a clearing they saw a slight irregularity on the ground as we move closer they make out a building. It was constructed of black marble and resembles a castle except that there were no turrets, no windows, no moat, no decoration of any sort. Nothing except a single semicircular opening, a doorway chiseled into the rock at ground level. There were no iron bars, no drawbridge, not even a wooden door. And there were no guards at the entrance, no words carved above the portal.

Shilar peer through the doorway, trying to make out what lies on the inside, but he see nothing---not darkness, darkness would be something. It was as if there were a invisible curtains stretched across the threshold, some barrier that his eyes can not penetrate. Perhaps we could lit a fire- I see nothing inside.- Shilar announced; Mary was able to lit a fire, and soon they were sending inflamed bushes inside; the place was full of smoke, and a big Alamosaurus who was passing by snorted several times, making them laugh. Shilar waits the smoke to subside, and then he enters the place with a log on fire; same thing the women did with sticks, and they all were surprised to see painted figures on the walls; saurian people performing different occupations, the picture of ancient times for them to see. This is amazing! Poor people, where are they now?- Eleanor said, looking at the far corner. Dead, of course- look how old this pictures looks!- Mary replied, and her voice resounded with hollow echoes. Seems smaller from the inside.- Shilar said, pushing some sector of the wall; he was not certain the room was the only one inside the tower, and perhaps he could find a secret passage. Smaller as they did wide walls to support the masonry.- Eleanor opined up. Shilar searched on the floor, but there were nothing pertaining to the ancient builders. Perhaps we could find other buildings around this spot.- Mary figured out. Yes, we could search outside.- Eleanor said, feeling claustrophobic inside that stone building. They walked around the building in a crescent arc; they found another construction, this one was fifty meters long, twenty meters wide; with burning sticks they walked by several rooms, some of them ceiling-less; this time they found saurian bones and skulls, some golden chains and leather objects, that turns into powder if touched. Very ancient remains; this chain seems to be made of gold.- Shilar said, looking at a thick chain twenty centimeters long. Gold and bones; the perfect recipe to get out of here in a rush.- Mary said, shivering; she was nervous inside the building. Shilar guided them outside, and said: Wrecks of some industrious community! But there is nothing here for usexcept this chain. What are you going to do with it? Give it at a pawn shop?- Mary laughed, and a Maiasaurus growled by the forest in response. They walked on, and Mary said: Wish we could move to a safer place! Me, too!- Eleanor said. Theres not a safe place in this planet!- Shilar laughed. Where to go? We could search for a better weather; increasing number of beasts will be in better and warmer places.- Mary said. The point its Im not staying here any more!- Eleanor said, so they decided to move they abandon the known areas and followed the hill sides. They walked for ten days, and arrived to a river; soon the rain stop for a moment, and they heard a rumor. Water falling: cataracts!- Shilar said, and two kilometers away there it was, a big waterfall up to the horizon- several rives were there, pouring tons of water three hundred meters down below.

They found a pond and some rocks where to fish- large animals were there, living on the water; they resembled pots with eyes; slow and curious, sometimes several of them looking at the humans. These are Panderichthys, a coastal fish.- Eleanor said. It will be a pity to fry them.- Mary remarked. I dont mean them any harm.- Eleanor said, touching the water with her fingers. We had survived on eggs, mostly.- Shilar said, looking at the Panderichthys with hunger. Wish we could make some clothes to ourselves. I am usually freezing.- Mary said. Cold and wet.- Eleanor added. Shilar made some lances and in the afternoon of that day, he hunted for animals, but with no success. Too quick for my arm, these animals are.- He realized. Perhaps you could try with tramps.- Mary said. Nice idea. A lot more cunning, that is what I need to be.- Shilar said, and made some laces to catch animals and also some holes on the ground, with sharpened sticks pointing upwards. In the next days, the obtained animals were two lizards, a rat-like animal and seven Oviraptors, the most common specie at the site. He takes the skins and let them drying on a branch- rains occurred daily, so soon they were soaking wet and rotting. Guess we must adapt to be on the naked._ Mary said, days before, looking at the rags. An Edmontonia appears two days later, herding several calves that drank on a pond and feed on ferns. Shilar hunts for a calf, killing it with a pair of lances; he drags it far from the female Edmontonia and roast the animal over a fire. Pity you kill infants! A new life cut short because you have hungry.- Eleanor said, looking outraged. As always, dear, its them or us. We need that extra proteins, besides, the stock of eggs had dwindled to almost nothing, thanks to those Oviraptors.- Shilar replied, but he also felt that sense of waste, like profaning something clean and pure. No need for excuses! We starve, we eat. They day I could be rescued from this forest; I will not eat another beefsteak in the rest of my life.- Mary swears to herself. The sun appears that day for a few hours- Shilar realized where the north was, and said: We are still way down south. This planet must be bigger than we thought first. And we move very slowly.- Mary remarked. We could move faster but the terrain must feed us! Where we are now its a good spot- animals come here to drink and we slaughter the smaller if we could.- Shilar remembered them. But that night they heard terrible roars and stomping around- the women were more than terrified. It must be a meat eater! And one of the big ones.- Eleanor said. Stay calm! We are safe in here.- Shilar said- they used to sleep under a crevice protected by rocks.

Shilar was well aware he was not giving the ladies any comfort- he was now thinking nobody was going to save them for a life of terror and nightmares. Perhaps to build where no animal could catch them unawares could be the best way to survive- instead of to be in the open. At the next day, he said: We will follow you there. And Eleanor accented with a movement of her head. They walked the whole day, and slept at a tree; the rumor of the river was heard above where they were, and Eleanor almost stumbled to the ground- Shilar grabs her by the arm at the last moment. At the next day, Shilar made some ropes, using lianas, and also as enough skill to hunt a protoceratops, that was roasted on a fire, before dusk. Nice.- Eleanor said, munching a leg. Proteins!- Shilar said, while he bites a rib. That night, Shilar gives them ropes, saying: We will tie ourselves to the tree trunk; too dangerous to sleep over a branch. That night it rains and lightning were occasionally illuminating the forest with their bleached light. Four days raining, and four days they walked by the side of that river- then, Eleanor said: I am hearing something- a rumor. They walked cautiously and then the sea was in front of them! At last!- Shilar said, laughing and soon they were on the water, cleaning their bodies and playing with the waves. There were no animals in sight, and the beach was very wide; to the right of it, the sight had no end and to the left the beach made a long curve into the sea, so the eyes could not discern where it ends and begins the sea. Nice beach! Lets see if there are bivalves!- Shilar said, using his talons- soon he produces several clams, which were carried by the ladies inland. They start a fire and cook the clams on their own shelves. Clams! Wish we could have lemons!- Mary said, while she eats. We will search for a secure place. A mountain would be all right, or perhaps a cliff.- Shilar said, and soon they were walking by the beach and beyond- they easily find a place on the wall of a ravine. Easily to accede! We will dig to make a cavern.- Shilar said, seating on a rock. Too much work to have a cavern in here! We have no picks and shovels for you to work.- Mary said, smiling. Shilar searched by the ravine for a soft spot, but he only found a big boulder with a crack a meter wide and two meters long- not enough for them to live, but he managed to build an extra space carrying logs and stones from the vicinityeight days later, both women said they were pleased with their new house. It doesnt look nice, but its cozy.- Mary said, looking at the heap of rubble. We are troglodytes now.- Eleanor said, laughing. Shilar descended to the ravine alone, under the womens laughter- he was expecting appraisal but he was receiving derision some tears come up to his eyes, and he realize he was being over-sentimental and over-reacting to a small issue. The ravine ends on the woods; he was so hurt he doesnt want to come back where the ladies were- also, he was more relaxed about them, now they had a shelter.

The forest tremble with an angry roar; Shilar climbs a tree and searched for the angry animal- from branch to branch, peeking down, he spotted the creature- a huge Edmontonia, Facing three young Tyrannosaurus Rex; one of then had bite the left leg of the herbivore, that has now a trickle of blood coming out. Shilar wished to help the herbivore, but he was so small and without a weapon he felt useless- he screamed unto the group, making noises with the branch of that tree- but apart from a fleeting glance from those huge brutes, his efforts were meaningless. He saw how the Edmontonia made suddenly movements in circle, hitting now and then the terrible meat-eaters- time passed, and he walks away, realizing he could not help the brute. The ferns were now covering the ground in profusion- a smell of flowers where here, where no flowers were sprouting- that puzzled Shilar about. He walked around the place, when a sound coming from the east startled him- a green machine appears twelve meters high, using caterpillar chains instead of wheels. A slit on top was where the cockpit was set. Shilar waved and the machine stopped- the sound was like a diesel engine. A trap door opened above, and a human head appears. Hey! Im over here!- Shilar yelled, smiling to the man that descended with a gun in his right hand. Who are you?- He asked, in Interlingua (that was the common language among the Federation of Planets). A Castaway! I had been marooned here for more days I could remember.Shilar expressed. The man looked around, and said: Very well, Ill buy it! Come along, quick! There is a big T-Rex trailing my tracks. Shilar crept up a bit scared- a T-Rex means trouble in any language. They get inside and another man was on that cabin, who said: Who is this? A castaway!- The first man said, starting the vehicle ahead- the fumes pervaded the cabin, and Shilar coughed. Im Troking, and this is my colleague, Mr. Dillon- we are scientists on a scientific expedition, financed by the University of Morengo, in Salvadias planet. Ever heard of it? No. Im Shilar from planet Knapp on the Second Brana; we were traveling to Holobarnium III, but our spaceship had a malfunction and ends in this planettotally wrecked.Shilar said, remembering the women on the cave. Certainly a bad luck, dear chap.- Mr. Dillon said from his seat. Where are you heading?- Shilar asked them. We have our encampment two and a half kilometers from here- near the river. If you are thinking to return to the known Universe, forget it at least for two more years- the duration of our scientific expedition on this part of the Cosmos: we arrive here yesterday, for an expedition that must succeed.- Troking said. A lot of days, indeed! But with you I will be better than alone.- Shilar said. Of course, chap! But in here, we all had jobs to do- so youll be busy everydayto pay lodging and food.- Troking said. They arrive to camp- Shilar was amazed to see not a cabin and two or three more guys, but almost two hundred persons and several big land trucks, two Fliers and several minor vehicles, plus several tents for the personnel. I will introduce you to the Director General.- Troking said.

Shilar waits- the chief was speaking with some men about a radio messageand then the chief come to him. Good afternoon, Sir. Im the Director Shafer. Troking told me about your marooning here.- Shafer said. Yes, we had problems with our spaceship and then our team suffered much here with the dinosaurs.- Shilar commented. So you are the only survivor? - Asked Director Shafer, while his eyes scrutinized him. Not the only one, Director: two females are with me.- Shilar said. Where are they? - The Director was amazed. At a cave, some fifteen kilometers away.- Shilar said. Well, Sir, we ought to take them here! Hey, Sampson! Take a Flier and go with Mr. Shilar where he is going to tell you- to pick two damsels!- The Director said and soon afterwards Shilar was aboard the Flier, with the pilot and two other men, flying to the rescue. They arrive to the slope in scant two minutes. Shilar said: You wait in here, no need to frighten the girls. Of course, buddy. Well wait.- Sampson said, smiling- he was interested in the new companions, especially if they were of the opposite sex Shilar went up, seeing the head of Mary, who was on the threshold of the cave; when she was sure who he was, she jumped out and said: You found company! Yes! They are members of a scientific expedition!- Shilar said, and she embrace him, saying: Were safe! Yes, I guess you can say that again!- Shilar replied; Eleanor also went out of the cave, and hearing them talk, saw the Flier at the mountains foot and said: Oh, how lucky we are! Take your things and follow me! They had a camp near by, where we could stay.- Shilar said. They take their scant belongings, and went after him; Sampson saluted them: Welcome, ladies! I am Sampson, your pilot on route to the civilization! Hi, Sampson! _ Eleanor said, smiling, and the other two guys were smiling and appraising the girls. CHAPTER SIX. THE CAMP OF DIRECTOR SHAFER. Director Mr. Shafer Miss Ruhura, second in command Doctor Toinfeld Doctor Ferenge teaches Doctor Faukbor Assistant and pilot Sampson 200 other members of that team

They went inside the Flier, and soon they were flying back to camp; when they landed, everyone went to salute the newcomers, and the Administrator general and Director, Mr. Shafer said: Ladies: your man come here and said you were

alone on the hill; as soon as I heard him saying that, I sent for you to be among us in safety. Feel yourself at home; here we all are members of one team; we have some rules, and work to do by everyone of our members; I know you will be please to help us on our daily routine. Of course, Sir, and let me say we are very pleased also; we were living in the most rustic of conditions, out there- we will be happy to work as everyone else.- Mary said, with emotion. I am Eleanor; she is Mary, and our man, as you said, is called Shilar; all the other members of our team are dead, especially doctor Fudge, who was our teacher and our guide.- She said. I am so sorry to hear about the crash of your spaceship and the following deaths that follows. But stays assure we are going to deliver you back to civilization, as soon as we complete our work in here. Miss Ruhura will take you to your future quarters.- Director Shafer said, and the reunion was over. Miss Ruhura was a black woman in her fifties, a smiling and gentle person. She takes the women by the hand, saying: Being a woman myself, I know how do you feel, after so many days on the jungle; I know what you need: a good salt and perfumed bath. Come with me! And she helps them find the shower room, where they could bathe with soap, shampoo and hot water. When they went out of the bath, she said: Now, forget about your old rags! I have some clothes for you.- And she presents them with new clothes, in green shade, together with socks and comfortable shoes. They looked at each other, and laughed, while Mary was saying: I dont recognize you without the dirt in your face! Me neither!- Eleanor said, smiling back; and Ruhura said; Ladies, you are newcomers here to day! So you are not going to work to-day! But prepare yourself for tomorrow. We are as new born!- Mary said, smiling to the black woman. Shilar was also told not to work but he went to see some people working with plants over a small plantation newly formed; one of the men in there said: hi, are you the castaway? Yes, Im new in here.- Shilar replied. The man was bald and tall, using a white apron; he said: Im doctor Toinfeld and this are doctor Ferenge and doctor Faukbor. We are trying to find groceries out of this jungle, or in the contrary, to make them edible, using genetic engineering. Ferenge said: I do not disagree that genes can duplicate themselves inside a fertile organism at different rates. Cells do the same. My point: neither are actually selected at this contained (nested set multiplicative) level of selection. Genes and cells differentially duplicating themselves in this way cannot empirically allow the fertile organism level to become just an evolving population of fitness independent genes and cells as the Neo Darwinian oversimplified model (but not the Darwinian theory it was oversimplified from), has allowed. This is because the fitness of each gene/cell is _not empirically_, the simple addition of each per fertile organism. Sorry about Doctor Ferenge! He is always lecturing us.- Toinfeld said, smiling to Shilar, who stayed with them, helping in any way he can.

At sundown, everyone was inside a security ring, made with a force field powered by beams on tripods, where lamps were also giving light to the enclosure; Doctor Toinfeld said to Shilar: We probed this system on Earth: not even an elephant could cross the force field. An elephant its a feeble creature when compared with a Seismosaur.- Shilar remarked. Of course; but the builders said this force field could stop a flood without flinching a centimeter! _ Doctor Toinfeld said. The table was set for everyone to eat a simple meal, beverages and to socialize; Shilar realize there were optimists and happy to be there; Mary touched his elbow and said: Long time I missed this, to be among our peers. Yes, its an indefinable sensation, but a happy one in any case.- Shilar said, looking at Eleanor, who was laughing at Mr. Sampsons jokes. A man arrives at a run, saying: theres a Carnotaur trying to get inside, Sir! Director Shafer walked with the rest to see the dinosaur; it was there, in front of a post- the electric barrier sparked from now and then, as the Carnotaur pushed inside. A male must have a lot of energy, to pull like that.- Shilar said to Mary. We had never tested this energy field against a dinosaur.- Somebody said, close to them- it was Sampson, hand in hand with Eleanor, who looked rather pale. Have you any weapon- just in case?- Shilar asked him. Not in our possession, Sir- perhaps the Director Shafer has them on a shuttle craft.- He replied. Dangerous creature- of course, the force fields can stand anythingtheoretically.- Shilar said to Mary, who was shivering in fright. Director Shafer stays looking for an hour, until he realizes the Carnotaur was not able to force the entrance- then he said: dont panic! We are safe in here. Later, the dinosaur went away, baffled by the force field that proved stronger than he was. Director Shafer went to Shuttlecraft numbered One, and with Doctor Toinfeld, Ferenge and Faukbor revised the weaponry. Five laser rifles and a dozen pistols- not too much to stand against a dinosaur, Im afraid.- Director Shafer said. Well, nobody was going to know we were going to land in a planet in the Cretaceous.- Doctor Toinfeld said. The force field stops them short!- Doctor Ferenge said. Yes, but we cannot stay in here behind a force field! We must collect samples, go to other sites, and defend ourselves in case the dinosaurs- well, the meateaters of them- appears.- Doctor Toinfeld said. Lets not panic because of a Carnotaur!- Director Shafer said. We should arm every group that goes out searching samples.- Doctor Toinfeld said. Director Shafer said: You are right; each chief is going to get weapons, when going out of camp. We dont need in here- also; we can take refuge on the shuttles, if the power field stops. Both shuttle crafts were huge and metallic, and so he thought them indestructible. Doctor Toinfeld, call our scout chiefs now; its the moment to act.- Director Shafer said.

Toinfeld went out and summoned the chiefs of scout- four of them arrive to Director Shafers tent, and he said: I had called to provide you with weapons. This is all we got from home- guess it is not strong enough to stop a Maiasaurus, but it will serves to stop the smaller ones. Sampson said: well, its better than to yell at them. I ask of you more seriousness, Mr. Sampson! You had seven people under your command, each time you go out on exploration! See that you are keen on what you do.- Director Shafer said, displeased with his attitude. Im sorry, Director. It will not happen again.- Sampson said, smiling and blinking an eye to the rest. Tomorrow every team is going out to explore- in the four classic directions: north, south, east and west. Distance: five hundred kilometers at the most; try to find something special; we need plants and herbs; shrubs and ferns. Not any animal, by chance?- Sampson said. No need in this early stage of our studies, Mr. Sampson! Perhaps later and for medical reasons. But now, lets stick to basics.- Director Shafer said. But if you find a small animal and you could bring it back alive, Ill be happy to dissect it.- Doctor Toinfeld said, while Director Shafer raises an eyebrow, and dismisses the reunion. Later, he went to sleep at his cabin, looking first at the night; it was raining, and the power field was giving sparks now and then. Shilar close the entrance to his tent, by zipping it up; Mary was seated on the flimsy bed, saying: we are going to be together for the first time in a real bed. Not much of a bed, darling! It looks more like a stretcher.- He said, trying to hear noises from the outside. Are you worried by the dinosaur? They said its gone.- Mary said, standing up. Those brutes had brains, no matter how some guys try to say they dont. They remember; when you swear he is not coming back, there it comes.- Shilar said. Forget it! We are safe in here. - She said, undressing; he was amazed to see how beautiful her body was, and said so. Mary laughed, and said: well, if you like it so much, what are you doing to undress? Shilar smiled and takes his garments away; then he get the light off and bedded at her side- the bed was real flimsy and narrow; he felt the warmth of her body, and she embraced him and kissed hard. Shilar forgets all about the Carnotaur. At the next day, Mary was designated to remain in the camp helping Ruhura in the running of the site; the force fields were disconnected and every team was departing to their working places. CHAPTER SEVEN Exploring with Sampsons team. Shilar went with Sampson on a Flier, together with other six crew members; while they were on the air, Sampson said: We are going to take vegetable samples to-day. I dont want no heroes; if you look something dangerous, run to the vehicle- our weapons are useless against the great carnivores. A while later, they saw three fast Velociraptor running after a Pachycephalosaurus, who was jumping and bellowing in terror through the wood- they were fast yellow strikes under the green vegetation.

Small but deadly creatures.- Sampson said, and landed in a clearing; they descended with rifles ready; Shilar find some eggs, and carried them to the Flier, while others were collecting plant samples. Ferengi oleaginocea A female said, showing it to him. Smells funny.- Shilar said, as the plant smells to rotten eggs; she laughed, and said: You are Shilar, the castaway- I wonder how you managed not to be eaten- as your friends. And you are?- Shilar asked her, looking at her blond hair. Karla- biologist. - She said, turning to some other plants; she was very good looking, and Shilar knew Mary was now his romantic mate- he does not want a row with women, so he constrain himself to go beyond that conversation with the lady- he headed the other way, and once on the jungle, he marveled by the size some ferns had in that place- four meters high and with plenty of leavesthe ground was covered by twigs and smaller plants. He climb a tree, up to where the neighboring area was open to his eyes- there it was the Flier, and two or three male members, working their way scientifically- no signs of the Karla woman. To the other sides the trees were visible like a green sea of verdure- the smell was sweet and rain had stopped; big dark clouds were traveling up there, hiding the blue sky as almost always. A chirping was heard, strong and sibilant- Shilar was now attentive to any movement- there! To his right, on a tree, a big black flying lizard was biting something grabbed with its paws. He moved from branch to branch, until he was ten meters apart from the black flying dinosaur- that had spotted him already. The beak was yellow and ends in a dagger-like tip, now with red stains on it- the meal the creature was taking was meat! Damn!- Shilar said, recoiling- he had no weapon on himself, so he descended to the ground, and walked swiftly back to the clearing by a path on the ferns- he was about to walk on the open, when he heard a terrible roar and the ground seems to shake before his feet. He crouched and looked out to the clearing- a Carnotaur was there, trying to devour those small hominids he find lurking at his hunting area. Karla!- Shilar yelled to the woman, who was looking at the Carnotaur chasing a man from the Flier, who was running for his life. She turns to him, and said: But George is being hunted! Run over here, or do you want to get kill?_ Shilar said, grabbing her by the hand after a short sprint. She gasped and said: Hes coming this way! Yes, two are better than one!- Shilar said, realizing the beast was leaving the man alone and heading their way; he run to the same tree he had climbed early- and help the lady climb with him to almost the top of it. Here we are safe.- He mumbled on her hear, afraid even to speak- as the meat eater could hear him. Thanks for saving my life.- She said, kissing him; her lips were sweet and her breath was warm- Shilar looked at her green eyes, and said: For this kiss, I could save you a thousand more times! She blushed, and said: But you have a companion already. Certainly true, but it is because I met her first.- Shilar said, rising his shoulders a bit; she looked at him for a second and smile. Her teeth were white and small- an angry snarl wake Shilar from his adoration, and looked down- because of the green leaves, he could not discern where the

beast was roaming the place, and Karla said: Im afraid, Shilar!- And embrace him tightly; he said: Im in Heaven with you. Dont speak, please? The brute could hear us.- She said, trembling, while Shilar tighten his grip on a branch, not to slip and went down in that romantic interlude he hadnt sought for. They heard the Flier taking off and away; the growling Carnotaur crashing against some trees- one of them toppling down, and yelling of men in terror. Shilar said to her: Please, stay here perched on! I will descend to see if I can be of help to somebody! Yes, go.- She said, grabbing a branch with both hands. Shilar descended to the ground and begin searching for the missing crew- he found a foot dangling from a fern, but no other sign of the body; he missed the Carnotaur eyes for a second: the dinosaur was between two trees, silent and on the watch for anything moving- he recoiled as silent as he could, and made a detour, avoiding the meat-eater and searching for clues- he stop at the sight of a big pool of blood on the ground. Must have been one of our team. Poor guy.- He said to himself, and walked back to the tree where Karla was waiting. What do you found down there?- She whispered in his hear, and he replied in the same way: I found signs of killing- no way to know who they were.- Shilar said, and she embraced him again, sobbing. I am sure they will be back, later. Dont cry.- He said, embracing her shoulders with his spare arm. Could we get down now?- She asked, after a while. Not possibly yet; the beast is on the look out- I wonder if this is his territory.Shilar said. Half an hour later, they heard the Flier returning, and she said: Well, guess they are coming for us! Let us descend and be saved. Of course.- Shilar said, helping her descend- when they were walking to the clearing, they heard a terrible roar and the ground shake under their feet- a crashing sound, and ripping of metal ensued. The Carnotaur attacked them!- Shilar said, and when at the border of the clearing, he saw the Carnotaur ripping the front side of the Flier with his bare teeth; two men jumped down of the artifact, but they were grabbed by those fiery jaws and swallowed. Come, Karla! We must get away from here, or well be the next meal of that beast!- Shilar begged her; she sobbed and followed him at a trot- he run for half an hour, and seeing they were already tired, he takes her below some roots and crouching there he said: We must return to camp! I guess I know in which direction it is. They will never know where we are!- She sobbed, looking at the surrounding area. But we are going back to camp! Dont you worry: I survive once, I can survive twice.- He said, totally insecure of his words, but aware he must put some confidence on her mind. The rain begins pouring down and the hole begin to flood very quick, so he said: We must walk now, darling. She smiled to him, and said: Yes, Shilar. Lets walk. He guided her through the forest- keen eyed, they found a creek and they drink from it; she takes a plant from the ground, saying: A new species! I wonder how many of them are in this planet!

Possibly thousands!- Shilar said, looking at the plant; a twig was broken at his right, and he look to that place: ferns and plants were abundant in there. He takes her by the hand, and said: Do you see that big tree in front of us, six or seven meters away? Yes, Shilar, I see it. Why do you ask?- She said, puzzled by his question. We are being hunted- now we are going to run there, and climb as fast as we could. Ready? Go!- Shilar said, taking her by the hand; soon they were climbing, and a shadow appears at his right; he almost jumped to the next branch, and then she was looking down in terror. A dinosaur!- She said, climbing some more on the tree. Shilar looked down and saw a big female Velociraptor almost touching his leg with fiery fangs. He climbs some more, and said: We were lucky this time. I wonder why we didnt saw him first!- She said. Oh, this dinosaur knows how to hunt! Millions of years doing it give them the twist.- He smiled, relieved to be alive and not dead as the poor guys from the Flier. And you knew it was there! Do you saw him?- Karla asked him, while seating on a branch. No, I only heard a twig being broken! I realize it was a large animal- twigs didnt broke with hot air, you know.- Shilar said, touching her on her left arm. No wonder why you are alive! You are very clever.- She said, smiling with gratitude. A scratching sound was heard; Shilar said: Something is going upwards! Oh, Im so scared!- She said, sobbing- Shilar descended some meters, and saw Sampson climbing with difficulty- one of his hands was hurt. Sampson! Big boy, you are alive!- He said, helping the man seat on a branch. Yes, and you too! I saw you and a lady climbing! I was sure I was the only one alive!- He said, panting- Karla heard them talk and descended to where they were at the moment, and said: Sampson! You save yourself! Yes, Im safe- by the moment! We are in a terrible situation! Far from camp and the forest teaming with dinosaurs!- Sampson said, looking at them. What happens with your hand?- She asked, seeing he was touching the wrist. Seems it is broken! I must bandage it.- He said, with a grin of pain; she rips her sleeve and bandaged him with care. We are about a hundred kilometers away, isnt it?- Shilar asked him. More! We are 890 kilometers away! But I managed to talk with the Base! They know already about the dinosaur attack- and our general location- what they dont know; its that the dinosaur munched the Flier to a state of no return!Sampson said. I am sure Director Shafer will send another machine over there.- Shilar said, meaning the clearing. Yes! But they are not going to find much of it- guess we should return there.Sampson said. The Carnotaur seems to own that place.- Shilar remarked, while Karla turns very pale. Yes, indeed. But you can stay here with Karla! I will return there, and wait for them, and then we could search for you- perhaps on another clearing, easy to spot from the air! What do you think of my plan?- Sampson asked them. Horrible. I will not let you did the dangerous part- specially with your damaged hand.- Shilar said.

What? Do you want to be the valiant?- Sampson retorted, making a grin. Yes, why not? Im not hurt- you two could find something to eat, while Im there.- Shilar said, descending- they followed him to the ground, and Sampson said: Lets find the other clearing- I remember having seeing an open space over there.- And he signaled to his right- they followed him, and Karla said: Shilar, you are going to have very much care, please? Of course, Karla! I guess the new Flier will arrive here soon.- Shilar said. Very well. I will be disappointed to know you fail to be contacted- but if they didnt appear, please return here.- She said, looking at him intently; Shilar takes her hand and squeezed it a little; Sampson saw the movement and said: Oh, romance its in the air! And laughed hard while he keeps walking- soon they found the clearing, and the place had a rock on the middle of a thirty meters radius. The rock will be as a mark! Now, we are going to hung around this place, buddy! You run and tell those guys we are here- hurry!- Sampson said, as he was sure the new Flier was already coming their way. Shilar kissed Karla good bye- on a cheek- and trotted back to the first clearinghe was using the undergrowth, and in some occasions he felt he was being followed, so he climbs to trees and walked by the available branches, to loose his tracks from whichever creature interested in a free meal. He saw the remnants of the Flier on the ground; twisted and bitten, it shines under the son, who was now giving its heat to a humid forest- vapor was swiftly rising from the ground, making contours dimming on its embrace. Shilar stays under some ferns, without showing himself out; soon he heard a faint sound that grows until a shiny Flier appears over the clearing; he jumped up and wave to the artifact to land. What happened here?- Director Shafer said, while he was opening the door. Attacked by a Carnotaur, Sir! Lets move from here, its a dangerous position!Shilar said, jumping up the ladder. Pilot, take off!- Shafer said, understanding the warning immediately- hovering a hundred meters from the clearing, the Director asked: Well, where are the others? At another clearing, Sir! Go to the left- slowly!- He asked to the pilot, who moved the Flier gently forward and to the left: soon the clearing and the rock in the middle was in sight. There they are!- Shilar said, signaling Karla and Sampson, who was waving hard. Why are only two of them? Where are the others?- Shafer asked, with an emotional accent. Dead, Sir. Eaten by a Carnotaur.- Shilar said, opening the door for Karla and Sampson to get in. Thanks!- Sampson said, seating next to the pilot. And you are hurt?- Director Shafer asked him. Yes, but its nothing dangerous! A simple bone fracture.- Sampson replied. How do you know its a crack? You must go to the Infirmary, the moment we land, and Doctor Toinfeld will look that injure.- Director Shafer said shocked by the news: five people killed and a irreplaceable Flier broking in ten pieces. When landing, it was almost dark; the other teams were already landed, and when Director Shafer puts his feet on the ground, Miss Ruhura gives the order to start activating the Force Field around the camp.

Everyone was very concerned about the missing crew- some women cried about them, as the bonds between them were of old- when at the University and some times before that. Pity on them! They were called George Burn, Lois Aberhan, M, Weidemeyer, and Silver Kieesling.- Shafer said, while they all were seated on a row, under a tarpaulin set between two trees. The dinosaur was very smart and quick! It was almost as a blur, when running against us.- Sampson said to the others. Pity we cannot bury them; no remains are ever to be retrieved.- Shilar said, not mentioning the foot he saw dangling from a fern. Adventurers and scientific personnel often pay with their lives the daring explorations they perform! I had lost several of my old acquaintances myself.Doctor Toinfeld said, looking at the newly bandaged hand of Mr. Sampson. Poor consolation we get here!- Karla said, with sadness. We must be very precautious, from now on! I dont want any more victims on this trip! Every pilot must remain with the craft, and only the rest of the team could go outside and find specimens for our ulterior study.- Director Shafer said. After the meal, they went to their tents to sleep; Director Shafer calls on Shilar and the doctors to one of the Shuttle crafts, and at the mess hall- who had a round table and a food dispenser- he said: Lets have a small talk in here, to relax our nerves! This jungle eats the nerves of anyone not accustomed to this environs. Yes, we could use some whisky.- Doctor Toinfeld said, asking the liquor- in plastic cups, the whisky was served for each of them, and Doctor Ferenge said: In my field of expertise, these things would never happen! Yes, but you deal with very highly specialized items, that you dropped instead of our present occupation.- Doctor Shafer said, sipping his drink. Of course- some way or another, space and its mysteries takes the helm of my life! But I can tell you, the cybernetic pioneer who is upgrading the human body - starting with himself Professor Figar Narwin, the world's leading expert in Cybernetics, unveils the story of how he became the worlds first Cyborg in a ground breaking set of scientific experiments. He witness machines with intelligence more powerful than that of humans.- Doctor Ferenge said. No wonder indeed! I suspect human brains, born a primate, are not the wonderful thing we all believe- wait to the moment when we step on smarter animals!Doctor Faukbor said. In planet Sumarain they already have robots, not humans, making all the important decisions. It is a robot dominated world with dire

consequences for humankind. Is there an alternative way ahead? - Doctor Ferenge asked them. I guess I would not like a world where my species has nothing to decide.Shilar said. Humans have limited capabilities. Humans sense the world in a restricted way, vision being the best of the senses. Humans understand the world in only 3 dimensions and communicate in a very slow, serial fashion called speech. But can this be improved on? Can we use technology to upgrade humans? Doctor Ferenge asked. The possibility exists to enhance human capabilities.- Director Shafer said. To harness the ever increasing abilities of machine intelligence, to enable extra sensory input and to communicate in a much richer way, using thought alone. Narwin has taken the first steps on this path, using himself as a guinea pig test subject receiving, by surgical operation, technological implants connected to his central nervous system. A Cyborg is a Cybernetic Organism, part human part machine.- Doctor Ferenge said. There is lots of Cyborg around the known galaxies! People who would be dead if not implanted- tycoons and dictators use their money to provide themselves with extra life.- Doctor Faukbor said. There is a man who is working on a project- he invites me to join, but I prefer to come with our Director here.- Doctor Ferenge said. You told me about it- the guy is halfway to the asylum.- Director Shafer stated out. Well, we cannot say he is mad- but certainly is queer.- Ferenge laughed. Narwin is a dreamer.- Doctor Faukbor said, finishing his drink, and after a moment of silence, Director Shafer said: Now we had only three Flier aerial crafts- Sampson certainly will wish to belong to another of the aerial teams- guess he will have to choose. I was with him, too. I wish I could be on an aerial team, again.- Shilar said, as he was afraid not to fit anywhere else. You said to me you were a space freighter captain- guess you like to fly.Director Shafer said, smiling to the others. Yes, Sir! I can drive any of your aerial vehicles you have in here. Perhaps you could use a Shuttle Craft as a scout ship- and I will be delighted to man it.Shilar said. I bet you would!- Director Shafer said, and the rest at the reunion smiled with fun. The energy they use last almost for ever, as you know- so you need not to be worried by the extra expense of energy in those flights.- Shilar pressed a little more. Ill think about it- you know, our University of Morengo its not a big one, and this expedition cost a good chunk of its funds.- Director Shafer said, not sure to use a Shuttle Craft for aerial exploration. Perhaps our Director is afraid some Dinosaur could wreck a Shuttle Craft; indeed he is right, if he thinks so.- Doctor Ferenge said, and Shafer gives him a half smile, and soon afterwards the reunion was over; Shilar went to sleep at his tent with Mary, who said: Where were you? I try to find you, but nobody knew where you were.

Yes, I was with the Director Shafer, trying he could permit me pilot one of the Shuttle craft, in expeditionary jobs.- Shilar said. You want to pilot Shuttle crafts around this jungle? You must be out of your mind! What did he said?- Mary was surprised. He said he is going to think it over; of course, that means no.- Shilar said, bedding. You should had take a shower, dear. You smell.- She said, wrinkling her nose. That is a thing I forget; but I will go immediately to take that shower.- Shilar said, embarrassed; he dressed himself again, and went out of the tent- the air was cold and a chilly wind replaced the usual rain. He went to the Shuttle craft near his tent, and to the Guard he said: I am going to take a shower inside; my lady thinks I need a bath.Of course, Sir. Carry on.- The man said, smiling knowingly. He takes a warm shower, and he dried his body with a hot current of air; then he went outside to his tent; Mary was already asleep, so he went to bed without further conversation. At dawn, he heard noises and went outside the tent in a hurry; several Pteranodons were flying low above the sentinels, and some firing was going on. Shilar saw Sampson firing a LASER rifle without much success- and said: Whats happening with those flying bats? They attack the guard! One bite and they could crack your head off! Take care!- Sampson said, firing his rifle against the big creatures. The Force Field was on, but it was a cheap one, so the force field has the figure of a wall, encircling the camp but didnt building the classic bubble that all encompasses- that was why the Pteranodons now could almost land on the field. One of the Guards had better aim as Mr. Sampson, and hit a Pteranodons in the head: the flying dinosaur went to the ground with a thud, and there he remained, immobile. The others fly away, scared by the death of his partner Doctor Ferenge went to examine the dead body, saying: A theory [natural selection] which incorporates everything really explains nothing! It is tautologies. Those who survive in the struggle for existence are the fittest because the fittest are the ones who survive." Pity on this specimen! We should embalm it.- Miss Ruhura said, touching the wings. Director Shafer appears with the exploration chiefs, and said: Mr. Shilar is going with Miss Josella on her Flier; and Mr. Sampson on Mr. Cokers. Very well, Sir; our radio operator will be in touch with them while they are on the field.- Ruhura said, and soon afterwards the three metallic birds departed in the East, West and South directions. CHAPTER 8 Expedition of Miss Josella. East direction. Josella was 31 years old, Biologist, and was seated in the three first row at the cabin; at his side was Shilar, excited to be again in flight. We had seen strange creatures on this direction- unknown even on the flora and fauna of the Federation index.- She said, looking at him.

Must be interesting, for you to see those freaks- guess you know every species by name, being a scientist.- Shilar said, trying to be friendly. Of course! I know half the names I would like to know!- She laughed, showing perfect rows of teeth (there were no extractions nor repairs any more- special treatments when young make every male and female get for-ever dentures.) I wonder if I am going to be of service to you, here! I have no scientific background in biology.- Shilar said. But I guess you can shoot and be of service for other things!- She said, looking at him in the eye. Of course, lady! Ill do my best.- Shilar said, admiring her beautiful eyes. I will be giving you direct orders- so youll be busy all day long.- She said, smiling. Shilar was getting attracted to the woman, who seems rather clever- about Mary, he could forget women as soon as they were not around. Josella said: During the Cretaceous, in Earth, there were numerous animals identical than we had in here- as long as I had seen. The Cretaceous is a period of the Mesozoic, and also the last and longest period of that era. Reptiles continued to rule the seas, pterosaurs remained successful and grew to extraordinary sizes, and giant sauropods were less important, with the arrival of ornithischian herbivores, heavily armored ankylosaurs, iguanodons, hadrosaurs, and horned dinosaurs. I had seen pictures of them, at home- Im from a planet where dinosaurs still roams the land- pity our cities are growing and taking land from them.- Shilar said, remembering Knapp. Of course I know about your planet! We biologist knows the great diversity you had in your planet! Earth must be envious of your heritage- pity they lost their dinosaurs when a big meteorite strikes the Yucatan peninsula.- Josella said. Lady: we are arriving to the spot we touch yesterday. Do you want to land?The pilot, Mr. Saldias, said. Yes, Saldias! Land in the same spot- Im going to show our new crewmember our findings on the very site we found them.- Josella said, smiling. The place had smaller trees near a rocky mountain; several small dinosaurs with wings were there finding their food from big insects that swarms a pair of lagoons to the south. Josella said: You can see there a Sinosauropteryx together with some Caudipteryx! Over your head goes two Sinornithosaurus, that has enough dorsal vertebrae preserved to restore the length of the trunk. And that bigger one right there?- Shilar said, pointing to a green and yellow dotted flying dinosaur. Oh, that is a Confuciusornis! Rare, even here, I suppose- look, there is no other specimen like him around.- Josella said, while she begins taking videos. Shilar realize that smaller flying dinosaurs had feathers like the birds, and he told Josella about that curiosity. Yes, as they had high metabolism and could conserve heat with those plumes on them.- She explained, while taking pictures now. They walked together; Shilar was having some bags, where she was dropping her findings, together with some lectures of what the specimens were about. Her voice like a singsong makes him feel better; she had some inner force difficult to find in women, and he became more attracted to her; her eyes were

meeting his every time she speaks and soon a special atmosphere surrounded them- mingling with the day and the work they were doing. At midday they take refuge under some trees, and had their lunch- other members of the team were doing likewise in other locations. Its a nice place, here! Hope your findings make dividends to your expedition.Shilar said. Well, I am sure our findings will be studied at the University with care; in any case this flora and fauna is alien to our people.- Josella said. Tell me about you- how many years that you are a teacher?- He asked. About six years- mostly at the University of Morengo- ever been there?- She asked, moving her head sidewise. Never; I mostly traveled between Knapp and the Earth planet- much commerce and traffic around those place, but of course, I knew a lot of other sites as well._ He replied. You must know much about alien civilizations! This is my first voyage out of my planetary system- and look how boring must look to a person like you!- Josella said. I am very amused by you- a person worth a thousand planets.- Shilar said, touching her hand- she doesnt move, and looked at him on the eyes- soon they were kissing- slowly and tender at first, most commanding later. She recoiled, out of breath, and said: enough of this! Why? You are very attractive to me.- Shilar said, and she laughed softly, saying: You have your woman waiting at the camp. Yes, I have a woman there- but now its you that I desire.- Shilar said, kissing her again; she moaned and embraced him with both arms; the place was now with a gentle breeze and the sun was appearing among the clouds. Much later, they return to the Flier, with a pair of bags full of samples; others were arriving also, and Josella was looking very happy and smiling- and said: Well, guess we can rest assured we did our daily work! Skipper: deploy when ready! Shilar takes her hands with his, and said: You are superb! I will make an announcement, saying you are my girl from now on! Do it- Ill compensate for any loss you can feel in your heart.- She said, kissing him before the rest of the smiling crew, looking them so in love. At the camp, Mary was waiting him; he said: Bad news, darling! I have a new love: Josella. Marys face darkened horribly and yelling, she went up to him and beat him with both fist; some people were looking the spectacle, when the Director Shafer arrives and ordered some males to take the woman right to the Infirmary; when the turmoil recedes, he said to Shilar: Your love affairs are producing bad effects in here, Mister! I recommend you to be out of camp for a few days- take a portable flier and use it. Shilar accented, and Alf Coker gives him the artifact, at Shuttle Craft number 2. Do you know how to use it?- Coker asked him. Yes, its a new model, but I guess the software is the same.- Shilar replied, with his scratched face reddening. Ill provide you with some crme- you have some nasty scratched on your face.- Coker chuckled out. Right.- Shilar said, taking the portable flier and carrying it outside. Josella arrives to his side, saying: Sorry about your ex fiance! Ill go with you.

But you cant! You are that fliers captain! And its dangerous, out there.- Shilar said, looking at her embarrassed by the situation. Forget it! I prefer to be with you than aboard a Flier!- She said, walking inside the Shuttle, to fetch a personal flier for her. Half an hour later, they were on the air, heading east. They went past the known fields, and keep on going for two hours- the landscape was always the jungle, and they descended on a clearing that has small bushes all around a pond. That seems to be a nice spot, darling.- Josella said, signaling a spot near the water; where a big boulder three meters high provided a horizontal surface. We will be covered from the big predators; and by night, the Pteranodons didnt fly.- She added. Shilar walked to the water and takes a breath bath- the pond has also lots of insects that give him a ration of biting. Ill bathe later!- She laughed, when he went out of the pond. Yes, it will be better to find some other safer spot.- Shilar said, rubbing his neck vigorously. Using the personal fliers, they went up the rock and he said: Well, it is not already time to sleep! We should walk some more. I have plenty of sleep.- She said, embracing him, so he lie with her for a while, and get asleep in her arms. Shilar awoke with the night breeze- the landscape was dark but with faint gleams of light on the near by bushes- occasionally grunts come from the darker areas, probe that there were animals in there. A sign of Josella was none, and also her personal flier was not in sight. Damn!- He said, searching for his equipment- it was three, all right, and in good function, as the LED indicators lights went on when pushing the activation button. He stays there, looking at the sky, which was dark and gloomy; no sign of stars, due to the clouds. He mused about the disappearance of the lady- perhaps she returns to sleep at the Camp- she was not banished from it, so she was able to be there without problems. Shilar begin to imagine a whole week alone on the woods- perhaps they will find his bones in a heap of dung- if they search enough! He was dozing when he saw a dark figure appears overhead, and then some lights indicates him that a big aerial ship was descending- he keep on looking, and a voice yelled at him: Shilar, what are you waiting to come here? It was Josella voice- he puts the personal flier on his back, and descended to the aerial ship- he recognizes the big bulk of a Shuttle craft, and he laughed while walking up the ladder. Josella close the lock after he was inside, and embracing him, she said: What, do you think I was deserting you? Not in a million years!- Shilar said, kissing him, and thinking he had told her a big lie. I wasnt sure my plot was going to work! That is why I didnt tell you about my plot: to grab a Shuttle craft- the one that was not in use- and come here to sleep in comfort.- Josella said. You are a clever woman!- He said, stroking her hair while they were walking by a corridor; once at the main cabin, she said: Look, now, we must leave at once! I am sure they are already trying to find this spaceship- I dont want to have a quarrel with them!

Of course, darling.- Shilar said, and soon they were speeding up into the night sky; in fifteen minutes they were already in orbit. Nice view, isnt it?- Josella said, looking by a porthole. Dawn is the most beautiful sight a man could wish.- Shilar said, looking how the sun was appearing in the far horizon, while the curvature of the planet was providing a pale blue haze. Now we can sleep.- She said, turning her head towards him. Chapter 9 Knowing the Planet III The shuttle craft, 29 meters long, five meters wide and shining under the sun, keeps traveling over the planet at 38.000 kilometers per hour; Shilar and Josella, now asleep, were breathing aseptic air 18 degrees Centigrade for a time lapse of seven hours and fifteen minutes; then the alarm awakes them with its bass sound. What is happening?- Josella asked, with wide eyes. The alarm was started for some reason! Ill check on the computer.- Shilar said, walking to the console- they were at the Captains cabin, so there was a full set of controls there, in cases like this. Another ship is coming. They are hailing us.- He said, putting a shirt over his naked torso. The relief spaceship cannot be!- She said, dressing with a one-piece. Shilar gives the code number of the shuttle craft by the radio, and said: We are listening. From the loudspeaker, recently opened up in service, a voice said, in Interlingua: Explorer Unplug communicating! Im captain Zubasch; we are on a safari trip- I request a meeting. Very well, captain Zubasch: come to my vessel.- Shilar said, looking at Josella. All right- coming in!- The captain said, ending the conversation. Right to the point! Must be military men- we better be prepared- take weapons and well use on our belts.- Shilar said. Do you think they are robbers from outer space?- Josella asked him. I cannot say- yet. Ill talk with him at the lock.- Shilar said. She search for a couple of LASER guns, and when the lock was opened, they saw a solitary man coming in, dressed in a yellow space suit; the man stepped inside the normal atmosphere after the doors were opened, and takes his helmet away, saying Im captain Zubasch! I come alone and in peace! All right, Sir, we are Shilar and Josella- we are part of a team of explorer- the rest is on the planet.- Shilar said, looking at the man- he was in his fifties, blue eyes and with a short hair cut. Oh, scientific personnel! From where, if I can ask?- The man asked. From the University of Morengo, in Salvadias planet.- Josella said. Planet Salvadias: yes, beautiful planet indeed- been there a couple of timesnice people- well, we are here to hunt! I realize you scientific people could look on a safari with knitted brow, but we must provide fun and entertainment to rich people- with a profit, of course! You cannot image how bored a tycoon could become to be!- The man laughed, with humor. A Safari? So far from the commercial lanes? - Shilar asked him.

Of course! We come here twice a year! Nobody to get harm, no government at all- we dont need hunt licenses!- The man repeats his laugh. Of course- you are on your own, here!- Josella said, knitting her brow. Yes, lady! Say, dont you have some liquor for my thirsty throat? I have a sore throat, especially when breathing air from this can.- Captain Zubasch said, patting the air tank of his spacesuit. You can take off your spacesuit, Sir! And come with me to the mess hall.Shilar invited, seeing the man apparently had no bad intentions against them. Yes, I was expecting you say so!- Captain Zubasch said, and begins to come out of his spacesuit- Josella helped with the gear, and soon they were walking by a corridor towards the mess hall. nice Shuttle you have here! Model 9023- 3! I know this machines- pretty old, but reliable.- Captain Zubasch said, chuckling. At the mess hall, Josella asked: What do you prefer: whisky, pisco or tequila? Pisco, with lemon- a Chilean flavor, please.- Captain Zubasch said, smiling. A real surprise, to find you visiting this planet.- Shilar said. Well, as I said before, we are from the Unplug Tourist Agency; specialized in luxury voyages for rich people! Now we have seven couples in that spaceship, do you imagine? A billion kilometers of travel, just to hunt some specimens! Some people have expensive tastes- I realize they deserve it.- Captain Zubasch said. And where do you will raise camp?- Josella asked him. At the Triangle Continent- we cannot see now- at the other side of the planet we are- soon well be on plain sight- here names means nothing- yet! Bureaucrats hasnt come in!- Captain Zubasch said, emptying his drink and looking at the dispenser with intention- Shilar serves him another shot, and said: We have our team working on this side of the planet- hemisphere west. Interesting! Well, we had revised this place before- mostly woods and some dinosaur species- colder than the one at the other side- too many rains where your team is located.- Captain Zubasch said. Indeed! A lot of rains, but we hadnt catch any cold.- Shilar said. Thats because you cannot locate the cold viruses in this planet! Not enough visitors with infections in here.- Captain Zubasch said, taking some liquor from his glass. We are collecting samples here, for the University; two years we are going to be in this planet.- Josella said. Interesting. We are going to be a couple of months, only! See, you can go with me! Or do you are performing some task in orbit?- Captain Zubasch said. We were finishing collecting data- cosmic rays and ozone layers.- Josella said, looking at Shilar with intention. Oh. Well, you can follow me down below- when ready. My guests will be hunting all the time- you can join us- not much agreeable to speak with tycoonsespecially with their women!- Captain Zubasch said, making a grimace. They talked some more, and then a sonic alarm resound on the Captains wristwatch, which makes him say: Time to leave! Follow me! Well have fun.And he was aided by Shilar to get inside his space suit- he went swiftly away and inside his bigger spaceship that soon was moving towards the surface of the planet. What do you say? Did we accept his invitation?- Shilar asked her.

Why not? We can learn something of the other continent, while Director Shafer explores the continent he is in.- Josella said, starting the engines; soon both spaceships were slicing the atmosphere as brilliant daggers, approaching the terrain at 19.000 kilometers per hour. Shilar knew that continent by films; but to be landing there was another thing; Captain Zubasch knows where he was heading: a rocky platform on the last stretch of a mountain chain; it was like a ship cutting the waves with its prow The spaceship was now in a vertical position, resting on four wide beams; a box begin to descend, carrying the crew to the ground; Shilar descended by the ramp with Josella, who was happy to see the light of the sun without so many clouds- and not raining. Oh, I was forgetting what it was to be out in the open without a perennial rain falling down on me!- Josella said, running in circles. Guess I miss it too!- Shilar said, looking how the men from the other spaceship were approaching, with Captain Zubasch in front. Nice spot, eh? Wait to see what we could find on the woods! Mostly herbivores- easy to hunt, with plenty of meat to roast!- Captain Zubasch growled to them. Shilar and Josella was looking at his crew, and were spellbound- everyone of them had perfect features, and moves easily around dressed in green suits. This is my crew! Every one of them is a electro man- or electro woman! Cheaper than cybernetic entities!- Zubasch said, smiling. They are all- synthetic humanoids?- Shilar said, surprised. Yes! No risk of a mutiny on board! Reliable, they dont eat nor breath- the Company prefers them to a bunch of humans with all the troubles we could give them! Thats why I was feeling so alone- not anymore, with you around.Zubasch said. Perfect! I have no trouble with this.- Shilar said, and Josella whispered: Im scared of their looks! Dont be! The third law of robotics is ingrained on their positron brains! Give them orders, they will accomplish with a smile of gratitude! Only in case of malfunction they could get very mean!- Zubasch said, only to inflict some respect for the Electro men in this couple. Malfunction? I thought there was no such a thing now, in the field of robots.Shilar said, who had known of perfect robots in the past. Perhaps you forget accidents! A blow on the head of chest of this apparatus, and the whole system went amok! Accidents happen, you know.- Zubasch said, and sends one of them for drinks; soon a table with three chairs was posted under an umbrella; they drink and eat some fruits and cookies. Well, I guess I must bring to life the tycoons and their damsels! Certainly I will be busier than I wish, so Ill leave a synthetic humanoid for your special service only; hope you enjoy this tour.- Zubasch said, walking to the spaceship. Its a nice guy- and he is not asking for money, either.- Josella said. The tourist were taken from the pods and carried to the reanimation chambers; Shilar was present together with Josella, while Zubasch said: This is a new version; instead of to be awakening on a pod, this people is carried to their cabins and with special apparatus, they are awakened with all the comforts science could provide in this era! They will not suffer of an head ache, nor

dizziness will be present- any pain you know its attached with the process it is erased with drugs! Must be expensive.- Josella said, taking Shilars hand. Very much! But this people pay to live in a special world- youll see them afterwards!- Zubasch said, walking out of the cabin he had entered- they followed him, and at the ground, Zubasch said: This people are very jealous of their prerogative- if they knew you are my guests in their luxury voyage, certainly Ill be having problems- so I will beg of you to pretend to be another pair of automatons- with the same uniform this people of mine are using! I expect you not to be offended by my requirement! Dont worry! We understand your position, and we thank you.- Shilar said, while Josella remained silent; at the dressing room, they were provided with new suits- green in color- and shoes that were part of the uniform. You look nice.- Josella said, looking at her mate. And you look beautiful.- He said, kissing her tenderly; they walked out to the ground, seeing a pair of Triceratops was in sight. Nice creatures! I hope they didnt kill it.- Shilar said, meaning the tourists. These creatures are land animals although they had close relatives both in the water and in the air.- Josella said. Of course; I had seen them.- Shilar said, smiling. This species has skulls with two extra openings behind the eye holes, to make them lighter- this Triceratops had tough reptilian skin that could stand a Pteranodons attack without a scratch.- Josella said, while the animals move at the border of that clearing. Herbivores.- Shilar said. To think that in some other planets this beautiful species are all extinct! Not because they are big they are not vulnerable.- Josella said. I wonder how many hours we are going to wait until those tourists touch the ground.- Shilar said. They will be eager to begin hunting- perhaps sooner than we think.- Josella said, looking at the spaceships entrance door. You know a lot about dinosaurs.- Shilar said, hugging his mate. I love to speak about them! When I was a child, my bedroom was full of dinosaur toys instead of the traditional dolls!- Josella laughed. I wonder how they could walk- I mean, the bigger ones! They weight tons of flesh and bones!- Shilar said. Hip, thigh and ankle bones tell much about dinosaurs. Straight thigh bones with a sharply in-turned top that slotted into a hole between the hip bones suggests that dinosaurs walked erect like horses and did not sprawl. High ankles and long foot bones prove that they walked on their toes. Long, thin shin bones imply speed. Stiff ankle joints suggest that they are at home on level ground.Josella said. The Electromen were working with poles, surrounding the area with a force field- sparks were on the air, when the system was tested; one of the Efemales approached and said: Beware not to get near the force field, please! We are going to test it for some time more. All right- I was not intending to meet the Triceratops over there.- Shilar said. Where is the Electro man Captain Zubasch was going to assign to us?Josella asked her.

I am the one, lady! Sorry I didnt appear sooner than now.- The Electro female said, smiling gently. Very well! Tell me: when the tourists are going to descend to the ground?Shilar asked her. Tomorrow, I presume! They are already awake and departing at the leisure chambers! Mr. Bushjunio is playing cards with lady Garona; the rest are dozing under ultraviolet lamps- too tired they seems to be.- The Electro woman said. Tell us your name.- Shilar asked her. AB-3930, Sir. Model AR03.- She replied. Impossible! I will call you by a human name, instead. How about Glarea? Josella said. Very well, lady! Glarea is my name now.- AB-3930 M AR03 answered. Its an old name.- Josella informed her. I know, lady- it means small stone- in Latin.- Glarea said. Captain Zubasch approaches them, and said: Care for a walk? This people are not going out to-day! I left them being attended by four Electro men and their own servants- because they also brought some of them on board! We have all this afternoon to roam the woods. Shilar looked at Josella, and she accented with a movement of her head, so he said: we are ready for adventure, Captain! Lead the way! Captain Zubasch laughed and patted Shilars shoulders, saying: this kind of talk I like! Ready and to the point!- And he said something in a small gadget- soon four Electro men appears from the innards of the Spaceship, carrying guns and other gear. We are going to hunt those Triceratops we could see grazing on the verge of the woods! Any complaints about my plan?- Zubasch asked them. Not for my part!- Shilar said. Not for mine, either! I am sure you, men, are going to shoot at them no matter what I said!- Josella said, receiving a LASER gun from the hands of a Electro man. We are going to kill just one of them! We are not here to aim to the right and left sides!- Captain Zubasch said- he had heard what they were talking all the time, with an hear implant he had on his head, and with the transmitters those suits had on their fabric They approach the Triceratops, while seven Electro men were flying with personal levitators; they were taking videos and sending information to the rest of Electro men who were working in the first hunting game of the seasonCaptain Zubasch fired the LASER rifle, maiming a Triceratops while severing a leg. Good shot!- Shilar said, shocked to see how the blood was pouring out of the wound; the Triceratops run to the forest, followed by the rest of the heard, among the sound of tree crashing. They will be followed by my men! Lets keep on following it!- Zubasch said, running after the beasts- soon he was out of sight, as Josella was not running as fast; Shilar takes her lover by the hand, helping her while they walk. I cant run as fast as that madman!- Josella said, panting. Its not necessary for us to be at his side! Possibly the Triceratops is kilometers away by now.- Shilar said. Two and a half kilometers, Sir.- The assigned Electro man said, as he was receiving the necessary information through radio waves.

A creek was some meters away, flooding the surrounding area; they went into the swamp and soon they heard a horrible roar that makes them stop. What was that?- Josella asked, paled as a death body. Deinonychus, lady. 30 meters away- there.- He pointed to the left- a horrible face was in plain sight, behind some bushes and the eyes were looking straight unto them. Shilar takes her hand and said: We must run away from it, now! He run with the woman, sensing the second roar was nearing; he turns his head to see the dinosaur, and then he saw Glarea standing before the beast, while weaving his arms to attract its attention; the Deinonychus grabbed him with a paw, while biting at his head; with a sucking sound, the head went inside the mouth and disappear in its voyage down the stomach of the beast; the body fall unto the ground, while the beast searched for the rest of its prey. Now Shilar was out of his sight- but not out of his olfactory system; the Deinonychus followed the scent and soon he could spot the pair of feeble animals running desperately ahead of him. A LASER beam cracked suddenly; Captain Zubasch was returning from his wild run, and seeing the Deinonychus, he fired at him at close range. One of the eyes of the beast went off in a puff of smoke and water; the Deinonychus charged against the group; arms and artificial legs went a-flying; Captain Zubashs men were defending him with their own bodies! Zubasch, seeing he was needing a much bigger rifle to stop the creature, hide himself under the water, using a reed to breath- he saw the beast appear not ten meters away, searching with his keen eyes around the site- soon he was out of sight. Zubasch rise from the mud and saw the couple not fifty meters away, dripping mud just like him. Guess we had the same idea.- He told the couple. Yes, Captain! What a terrible fright we had suffered- Josella said, approaching. We cannot stay here any minute longer! I know those brutes! He will search and search, no matter how many times! We must return to the camp immediately!- Zubasch said. Where are your men?- Shilar asked him. Spread among the bushes! The brute smitten them in small pieces! _ He said, beginning the return to camp at a trot. Both Shilar and Josella were now running after him, with repeated glances to their backs. And did you spot the Triceratops again?- Shilar said. No, it is lost for our expedition! Those beasts are very strong! Surely, the maimed one will live to replace the damaged parts of his body! Beautiful beasts, a Triceratops is.- Captain Zubasch said, comparing the dinosaur with a human body- there were no comparison at all! The aerial Electro men zoomed ahead, radioing the trouble for the rest of the Electro men in camp; soon a dozen new servants appears, armed with several big guns; Zubasch said to the Natural persons: They are protecting us for good! Dont you worry: the aerial guides are saying me that there are only four dinosaurs ahead, and all four of them are herbivores. Shilar said nothing- Josella was very frighten and he was not going to talk about dinosaur threats right now. The weather changes and it was very cold in a time lapse of minutes. Have you any cold?- Shilar asked her.

Right now, Im ice cold!- She said, trembling. He takes his coat and put on her shoulders; two hours walk, and they were arriving to the spaceship; they had a glimpse of the tourists laughing under a tree- Captain Zubasch said: Go, go inside! I will entertain our guests of honor now. Shilar walked up the ramp with beautiful Josella, and a Electro men approaches them, saying: I am your new servant, Lady and Gentleman! My name is AB9903- 3 All right, Ab! Why dont you prepare a hot soup for the lady? Well be at our cabin.-Shilar asked of him. Of course, Sir. Chicken soup, I guess, it will be very suitable for the lady.- And the Electro man walked hurriedly to the next food processor, to comply with the received order. That night humans were sleeping in safety, while the Electro men were the custodians of their spaceship and gear ware. Josella awoke at 03.00 hours and takes a second bath; she felt herself filthy, after those hours on the jungle- when coming back to their bedroom, she stays some minutes staring at her present mate, Shilar, who was half naked on the bed. She had memories of other men in her mind, and she hopes those memories could be erased completely- she wants this new sentimental relation as white as a sheet of paper- perhaps asking the Central Computer of that alien spaceship could do the trick. She went to the communicator desk- on the first section of the cabin- and asked about that service to play. The Central Computer said: Request denied, lady! I have an eraser so powerful, that your mind could be damaged by the softwareprovide you have a chip number 930 on your organic carbon-based body. Well, I guess you are outdated!- Josella said, touching the screen for digital recognition. Five years since last overhaul, lady! But I can offer you a alternative option: I have a nice small program that could block your undesired thoughts. How about that?- The male voice said, in tempting tones. You devil you! You are offering it after you close the door!- Josella smiled. Im San Antonio 834-FIC0, lady! Terabytes of information on my inners! The offers include a complete course on painting.- SA 834-FIC0 said. Ill take it! You see, I want to be like a brand new woman for the guy lying on my bed at this minute! I dont want intruder ideas while loving him.- Josella said. Very comprehensive approach you have there, lady! But dont worry, this is not going to hurt: please insert the red cable with the white plug unto your left hear, please.- The Central Computer said. That donned, she felt herself drowsing for some minutes; then the voice of SA 834-FIC0 said: You can unplug the cable now, lady! The treatment its already done. I feel fine and I am willing to paint something- perhaps a flower pot.- Josella smiled. The painting skills were an anchor to the block out of non desired memories. She went to sleep at the side of Shilar, feeling innocent as a fifteen year old girl, while SA 834 FIC0 was receiving some signals from the guardians of Sector 5. Attention! We have five Carnosaurs approaching pole 8!- Electro men AB 3902 said by the radio. Im looking at them- through the Beam 8. Estimated weight: 730 kilograms the females, 830 the males; the Alfa male weights some 920 kilograms- that is the

main threat- go for it, with LASER beams ready to fire at minimum force- we dont want to kill.- SA 834-FIC0 recommended. He was also looking at the Carnosaurs through cameras mounted on the personal fliers of the three Electro men now in flight. The Alfa male bumped on the force field, and the electric shock was mild but alerted the brute about something in its path; the brain of the Carnotaur felt the threat that was there not to be seen but felt, and bumped again, with greater force- the warp of charged particles gives sparks unto the night. Some Electromen jumped into action, firing the LASER beams to the beast- that recoiled growling from the spot- further attacks on it were made through the aerial Electromen with their LASER weapons; soon the whole heard was galloping inside the woods. Well donned! Guess those brutes will not return here in the future.- SA 834FIC0 radioed to the night watch. AT the next morning, Captain Zubasch went to the air lock, and said to AB 9034: See that you get those tourists to the main tent; Ill be there, polishing details. Yes, Sir.- AB 9034 said, bowing in the German manner _ a thing Zubasch liked very much. The air was warm and the clouds were traveling black in the sky- Zubasch was not happy to see those clouds- they were presaging bad weather, perhaps a downpour- he does not to roam the country with wet socks. At the tent, he find a map and some chairs for the tourists; he was sure those tycoons will begin with eagerness the haunting process, to slowly relent unto boredom- usually it was so- tycoons loves business and bursarial emotions- the change to fire against dinosaurs were only a propaganda- induced necessity made by tourist agencies- and of course, the delight those tycoons will receive when, at social parties, boast about their athletic and bold conditions while on the safari. Soon the four tycoons arrive; only one damsel was present: Ariana Gorbingo, the ex model, with a tiny kaki dress that was not protecting her from the cold. She had green eyes- and a superb physical condition to match. Figornio Pervoluto , Askalet Inoculo, Jufanog Cuncolus, Rastern Veraltet and Gagoger Pfad presents themselves there with high pitched voices and arrogant faces; Gagoger said: Well, small captain Zubasch, are we ready or are we not? I am tired to be waiting for a good hunting! Yes, Sir! We are ready now! I had here a good map from this region! You see, the forest is crossed, some four kilometers to the south, by a wide and winding river; we are sure the dinosaurs are there by the thousands!- Captain Zubasch said, turning red with anger- he dislikes to be called small. Very well, you know where you must take us! But let us depart!- Gagoger said. Darling! I wish not to be walking like a camel! I wish to travel in some vehicle.Ariana Gorbingo said, hanging on his arm; her blonde hair cascades to a side, while her big green eyes stared unto the aged face of Gagoger. Of course, darling! You cannot stain those beautiful shoes! Captain! See that the lady is carried by some aerial vehicle!- Gagoger ordered. Yes, Sir! We have some personal fliers- are you familiar with those, Lady?Captain Zubasch asked her. Not in the least! I find them very dangerous! I prefer some bigger vehicle- had you not some Fliers?- Ariana Gorbing asked him, with a half smile on her face.

Yes, of course! Ill call for it right now. Gentlemen! Lets start the hunting season!- Captain Zubasch said, and two Electro men offered mild drinks to the men; they drink and went out of the tent talking among them about the lousy weather. A black Flier was deployed from the spaceship, and Zubasch help the beautiful Ariana inside it; two servants and a pilot were also manning the vehicle. You follow us without loosing our path!- Zubasch asked of the pilot; he saw Shilar looking from the spaceship door, and said to AB 932-3, who were near him: Tell Mr. Shilar we are going out hunting! See that he does not enter the woods alone- very dangerous creatures lurks in there. Yes, Sir.- AB 932-3 replied, and went to deliver the message. Zubasch guided the tycoons by the soft ground under the big trees, while 40 servants were patrolling around them, and five others were mounted on personal fliers, on the look for any danger. This is great! Good air, the emotion of to be in an alien world- just great!- Mr. Figornio Pervoluto said, with his piping voice, while touching a big flower that snapped shut missing his fingers by two centimeters. Beware! Blondina Carnivorous has a great delight for soft tissues!- Captain Zubasch said. I wonder why you dont tell us there were dangerous plants in here!- Mr. Figornio Pervoluto said, blushing in anger and a bit scared; Captain Zubasch didnt reply to that, as he knew the guy was not delighted by loosing face before his peers, whom where laughing between their teeth. Suddenly, a flash of light and a thunder roared through the woods; Figornio and Askalet Inoculo jumped in fright, and Zubasch said: soon it will be raining; but true hunters didnt pay attention to a small rain. Of course! I am sick to be waiting at the spaceship! I rather prefer to be here than looking some silly teleplay!- Gagoger Pfad said- the true of it was- he never look an entire film- he just dozed until the end of it. Several other thunders ensued, and then a message by radio, from the aerial scouts Captain Zubasch! Several Oviraptors at your eleven oclock- fifty eight meters away. All right! Gentlemen! Prepare your rifles! Game is approaching!- Zubasch said to the tourists; they immediately get their rifles from their backs, and start to walk to the left; soon they spotted the Oviraptors- they were milling around a nest, defended by a scared but determined Ouranosaurus. Fire at will, before they run away!- Zubasch said, while he was firing already against the small Oviraptors; two of them left their heads on the ground, and the rest of them went out of sight with shrilling sounds and much wing weaving. Askalet and Gagoger were appointing the game as theirs; Zubasch was certain they missed their targets- his was the aiming LASER undoubtedly- but said nothing- they were paying for the whole show, and they deserve some merit. Two of the servants begin butchering the animals; the hide and the head went to the camp inside sealed bags and with a temperature of 8 degrees C below 0, to preserve them until some taxidermist could work on them. I tasted blood! Now we keep on searching for bigger game!- Gagoger boasted, and then he was communicating with his fiance through a cell phone. Darling! Im flabbergasted! You hit the monster!- Ariana said, looking down by the windshield; the forest was in plain sight, at 120 meters below her feet.

You wait and see! I pretend to kill dozens of animals with my rifle!- Gagoger yelled by the phone. You have a wonderful shot!- Ariana said, smiling- she knew that appraisal was more than solid gold for his lovers ego. Zubasch said: well leave our servants here- they will carry the meat to our spaceship- the rest, come with me! And he keeps on walking through the forest- now all the tourists were aiming at everything that moves, criss-crossing the LASER beams in a dangerous wayZubasch pays not attention to their yelling, as he was accustomed to hear his clients gets exited while on the hunt. It was, by all means, of short durationsoon they were hungry, and as some of the servants were carrying food on canes, they all eat under the shadow of a big tree. I wonder how could it be to kill a Tyrannosaur! I wish we could stumble on one of the big beasts!- Gagoger said, while eating a chunk of meat with some baked eggs. Your rifles could blind a Tyrannosaur, but not to kill it! We should had come with cannons instead of rifles.- Captain Zubasch said, making a draw on the earth with a stick. You should had told us about that! I want to kill big game; next time you provide us with bigger rifles.- Figornio Pervoluto said. I can provide you with hand grenades! Those could maim or kill a big dinosaurof course; this is not permitted by the law.- Zubasch said. Law? There is no government in here!- Askalet Inoculo said, laughing uproariously, so the rest keeps on with the laughter- it was (for them) a release of the tension they always had present while on the society of men. Zubasch smiled and went into the shrubs, saying: Pardon me, Gentlemen! I must do something biological now. He search for a place where to do that, and then he heard strong footsteps close to where he was crouching- the shadow of a big beast fall upon him, and he thought his final hour has come, but no- the Corythosaurus keeps on walking as silent as he could, while munching on pine needles, magnolia leaves, seeds, and various other plants. His size was nine meters long, weighing 500 kilos. Harmless.- Zubasch said to himself- the beast was an herbivore. He walked out of the under bush, and saw the head crest of the Corythosaurus projecting ahead; then he heard a lot of shouts and the vivid red LASER beams begin to criss cross in front of him- some of the RAYS cut leaves and branches not twenty centimeters away from his head, so he ducked fast, or else he could be hit by the hyperventilated tourists- that keeps on shouting. The bellowing of the big Corythosaurus thundered above all other noises- the herbivore was not going to let those small creatures keeps on prickling his body with those ardent needles, so he sweep the area with his big tail, sending several tycoons flying among the shrubs; ayes and yelping ensued, while the Electromen begin to repel the attack, making the dinosaur go away growling and kicking. AB 994-E approaches him, saying: Captain Zubasch! Several imprudent tourists had been killed. Please help us organize the come back. Of course.- Panted Zubasch, giving himself to all the devils in Hell- now his Guide tag was going to be jeopardized by a board of inspectors! The Electromen had the Naturals rounded up in a heap; Gagoger, Rastern and Jufanog Cuncolus were with twisted heads- dead as a fried egg. Mr. Askalet

Inoculo and Figornio Pervoluto were untouched, but in shock- they looked all around them without opening their mouths, with their rifles hanging from their hands like twigs of hair. Sorry to see this! I was doing piss.- He said to Figornio and Askalet, who just moved their heads in assertion. To the Electromen he said: Take the corpses to the Spaceship and freeze them up! Ill be giving excuses the rest of my life! The Servants takes the corpses and carried them to the spaceship; their women cried and some of them- like Ariana Gorbing- speak about money and suing the company. You had no security in this safari! I knew something was going to happen to my husband!- Ariana said, among her tears. I was doing something far from them, but they fired unto a harmless animal, scared it and they get what they deserve, lady!- Zubasch retorted. You is the one that will get what you deserve, inept guide! I will sue you until kingdom come!- Ariana said, enraged- Lamadia, the widow of Rastern Veraltet, said: Now you carry us back to our planet! I dont want to spend another day in this damned planet anymore! I will prepare the spaceship for our return.- Zubasch said, looking sad; at the main cabin, he summoned the skipper and the crew- he said: Now we are going to return Mars planet; are the corpses well preserved? AB 938-3 said: Yes, Sir! We have them in the cold store already. Fine, we must take care of those ladies, too- see that they receive some beverages with mild tranquilizers- I need them pacified for the time being- I dont need hysteric women round me.- Captain Zubasch said, walking out of the main cabin; at the corridor, he find Shilar and his woman. Captain Zubasch! I heard you have an accident on the route.- Shilar said. Yes, some damn dinosaur gets in the way- but all was this tourists fault! They begin shouting at a five hundred kilo Corythosaurus, that all he did was waving his tail- they send this tycoons sprawling into the ground! Pity on them, of course.- Zubasch said. I will help you in any way you want, Sir. As a witness, if its necessary.- Shilar offered himself. Yeah, right. But dont worry; this kind of thing happens.- Zubasch said, walking out of the spaceship- he saw the damsels seated on a fallen tree trunk, moaning and talking about their deceased men. AB093-3 approaches and said to him: Several dinosaurs are coming here from the south side, Sir. We are going to divert their direction now. Of course. Go.- Captain Zubasch said, looking in that direction- and seeing nothing, as the forest was dense in all directions. He went to his tent on the terrain, seating on a canvas seat; he was worried and he needed a drink- he takes a bag hanging from a beam, and takes what he thought was the last drink at that place; then he dozed on his hammock, trying to erase what he saw at the forest. Meanwhile, Shilar and Josella were on the woods, searching for souvenirs to carry back to civilization; she was saying: A pair of dinosaur eggs worth a fortune on any planet! As this is a private ship, we have the opportunity of to smuggle the things we want! Yes, darling, but only if we put them on a safe place! Remember the Custom officers revise the spaceships.- Shilar said.

One out of a hundred, darling! Too many traffic now, for to be revising one spaceship after another! Not even with the help of Synthetic people they could do a thorough job.- Josella smiled. In fact, we are going to arrive to a civilization where money moves the world! Without money, well be a pair of unemployed among many.- Shilar said. They saw a solitary Monoclonius standing near a cicada, munching at hearts content- they made a detour, just in case- those horns looked rather sharp. Some serpents were hanging from a tree, their beady eyes on the alert; they were three meters long, with green shades of color over their elongated bodies. Thirty meters after the serpents, several black eggs were lying under some big leaves; Josella said: Should be of those serpents- we rather not touch them. Shilar accented; those eggs really look weird. He saw some spiders weaving over some roots; fat and of red color, their black legs moved very rapidly while working in that shadows. A gust of wind and then the rain makes the distant trees almost disappear under the downpour; rivulets of water appear everywhere. Its good not to get cold in this planet! I wonder why.- Shilar said, touching her right arm. She said: Look unto that clearing! I guess Im looking a big egg! They went there, and alas! There it was, a yellow egg 40 centimeters round, with brown dots all over it. Shilar looked around, saying: the mother should be somewhere near this place! And by the dimension of this treasure trove, we are in the presence of a big mothers lying egg nest. Right. Take it and lets go to the spaceship right now, before it comes back!Josella urges him, and he obeyed, wrapping the egg inside his jacket. They trotted back to the spaceship under the rain; when arriving, the Servants had all the tents inside the spaceship and Captain Zubasch on his captains seat, waiting for them to depart. Oh, my dear visits! Where were you?- He asked, from his seat. We were having our last stroll on the forest.- Josella said, blinking an eye to Shilar, so he does not change the version. Very well, you two! Get on your seats right now! We are departing from this planet.- Zubasch said, making a signal to the skipper to start the engines. Shilar and Josella walked to their cabin, and she patted the egg, that was hidden under the bed and inside a backpack. The floor trembled and the spaceship levitated over the ground; when at 300 meters altitude, the main thrusters begin to work and the big machine soared high into the sky; soon they were orbiting the planet. Pity we didnt stayed any longer.- Shilar said to her. Well, its a nice planet- only a bit too savage for my taste- remembers that my companions are all buried there.- Josella said. Yes, it is dangerous for us humans.- Shilar replied. The spaceship main computer located the correct coordinates, and shows the information on the skipper console; soon it was speeding out of the planetary system where dinosaurs reign supreme. Shilar went to talk with Captain Zubasch at the main console, and he said: Well, visits! We are heading to our tourists planetary system, the Solar; there you will disembark. We are very grateful of your kindness, Captain Zubasch; if anything we could do for you, in order to repay your favors, just told us so.- Shilar said.

Zubasch smiled, saying: Dont worry about that, please! Its an obligation of any civilized captain to rescue people stranded on savage planets. Hours later, all Natural were on deep sleep, inside the cryogenic pods, while the main computer and the Synthetic personnel take care of the spaceship while in transit. Computer 834-FIC0 said to all personnel: The visits had a Diplodocus egg on their chamber- we need to preserve all life- take it to the incubation roomdoesnt let it die. Ill do it.- AB9903-3 said, and taking the egg, he left it under a lamp, at a sealed enclosure. The spaceship traveled through the stars for 2.5 years, appearing in front of the Solar System rusted and old because of the passing through several space storms or clouds of debris while traveling. The Naturals were awakened and soon they were chatting while seeing the Jupiter planet passing by the monitors. Well, we all are in good shape! This is good.- Askalet Inoculo said, patting his lady. We had been a lot of time in deep space! Well find our planet really changed.Gina Fidona said, smiling- she has great expectation for the moment she could be at home and attending some social event: all her friends will look five years older than she- thanks to the time expended on the cryogenic pods. You are not of this planetary system, I guess?- Figornio Pervoluto asked Shilar and Josella, who were on the sightseeing room with them for the first time. I am from planet Knapp, in the second Brana, but my lady is from Salvadias planet.- Shilar explained. Askalet knitted his brow, and said: Well, I am sure you are out of the water in here, so to speak! What are you going to do, when Captain Zubasch told you to disembark? Find a job, or take a spaceflight to your respective planets? I was the captain of a fine spaceship, now lost for ever! Not even a Shuttle craft I own- not possible to tow it here, said our captain. So I guess I will pledge for a job at the spaceport- perhaps somebody need a captain or perhaps a first officer, in one of those hundred of vessels that are landing here.- Shilar said, knowing the work will be a sure thing, here at the Solar System, where the commerce between the known Universes makes a starting point. And the lady? She is a space engineer or something?- Ariana Gorbingo asked, from her seat. I am just a student in Archeology and Botanic! Guess I will try to return to my home planet- using the services of our Embassy here.- Josella said. Or at the Consulate.- Figornio Pervoluto said, while smiling comprehending the ladys situation on that (for her) far away planet. Ariana Gorbing said: You should make a collect for this people, seeing they were our companions in this voyage- surely you will not miss some hundred Credits in their behalf- Ill give five hundred Credits- now I am the inheritor of my beloved Gagoger. They said they will, but when arriving to the Mars Station, they just disembark without even say goodbye- lady Ariana Gorbing gives those 200 Credits, saying: I cannot give you more than this, now, but as soon as Ill get my inheritance you just call me and Ill be glad to be of help for you two.

Thanks._ Josella said, looking how the newly widowed woman takes a shuttle down the planet and disappear from their lives. Captain Zubasch called them to the bridge, and said: End of the line! Hope you could return to your destinieswherever that may be. I must present myself to the Agency now, so this is good-bye. We thank you very much your kindness. Good luck._ Shilar said, and they take a Shuttle craft to the surface of the planet Mars; the landscape was very arid and deserted except for Mars City, a wide expanse of circular domes, under the which several buildings and parks were to be seen- and visited. Tunnels between the domes connected peoples buildings and industries. Seven million beings inhabited Mars City, and it was the only big city in the entire planet. Shilar went with Josella to the Salvadias Consulate- there, they offered her a lodging place and the option of a future trip to her planet in the next spaceship departing in that direction- meanwhile, the Consulate gives her a small room at the same building while she waits. At the exit door, Josella kissed Shilar on his mouth, saying: Good bye, dear friend! Pity we cannot stay together, but you have your destiny written in the sky, and I have mine, possibly digging for fossils in my own planet- I had no further desire to explore far away planets. As you wish, dear love! Youll live for ever in my heart.- He said, embracing her, and trying to retain the memory of the smell of her body in his mind. He walked away without turning his head back- he knew she must be staring at him, perhaps trying not to follow him wherever he could go. He turns around the corner and breathed his pains away- now he was again the bachelor astrogator prone to live in freighters and the like He takes the pneumotube in search of Mars Space Station- surely he could find something in there. The place was teeming with tourists and custom officers, bellboys and damsels in short dresses- he went to talk with space agencies, giving them his name and cellphone numbers, just in case they need an extra crew member, and after four hours in there, he went to a cheap hotel, renting a room for five days- the whole 200 credits went away in that payment, and he rested on a creaking bed the rest of the night; a radio was on at the next room, and he heard it through the night- with occasionally some sleep; at dawn, he takes a shower and went out to search for a job at the Spacedrome. A guy in the pneumotube said to him: Do you hear the news? No, I dont- Im a foreigner here.- He replied. Well, it also seems like a particularly clear case of projection, what they are projecting at the holographic videos. Christianity, if I may lump such a diverse group of people into one institution, seems to spend a lot of time effort and money trying to foist" their limited worldview onto the rest of the world. I don't see what the problem is, assuming we're comfortable with letting people make up their own minds.- The guy said, gloomily. Shilar went out of the vehicle with the word Christianity resounding on his hears- he had heard that word before, but he cannot connect it with nothing in particular. When at the Space field, he went to the pilots resting room; there he start conversations with anyone who could care to listen- asking for a job after a few remarks- they all said he must apply at the managers office ( a thing Shilar already did the day before) and wait.

Wait is what I cannot do! Im a foreigner and I havent money enough for a long waiting!- He told those workers and pilots that suddenly became not interested any more in a conversation. At noon he went out of the Space field, and walked around the bars- finding several drunkards who lend him some Credits for to eat a sandwich and a glass of beer. At night, again at his room, he heard the radio and enjoyed the musicthis time more relaxed. The cellphone resounded the next morning- a man was saying: I have your name here, asking for a job. Yes, who is this, please?- Shilar said, jumping from the bed. The Managers office at the Space field. Presents yourself immediately here; we have a job for you.- The man said, and hung up. Shilar dressed himself as in a trance, and takes the pneumotube after begging for some coins at the corner- soon he was in the presence of the clerk who called him before. Im Shilar, the ex captain. You called me for a job to do.- Shilar said, nervously. The phantom of hunger was flying above his head. Yes, its a simple job, nothing important, but you write in here that you accept any job, am I correct?- The man asked, with a bored face. Yes, you are correct. Tell me more.- Shilar said. Its a simple job: to deliver goods in a tugboat- you piloted it from one planet to another, towing a train of cargo boats- and then you return with another train of cargo boats- simply.- The man said. Yes, I accept the job! - Shilar said, eagerly- he was not going to wait for a good job, with not a Credit in his pocket. Heres the address- present yourself immediately- and call me back, saying if they hired you or not.- The man said. Very well, thanks you.- Shilar replied, walking out of that office; he saw where that address were located, in a public map of the city- and as it was not four blocks from the Space field, he walked there on foot. The building was small and well kept; a lady in brown uniform received him and after the necessary introduction, he was guided to the general manager, who was seated behind a big desk, where several screens were flickering. Im Shilar, space pilot; I am here for a job.- He said to the bald man who was stared at him. Yes, you seem to be a pilot; that strange look on your eyes- I had seen it before. Well, Sir, take a seat, and tell me what when were your last occupation, and why did you quit. Shilar saw the name of the guy on a banner on the desk, and said: Mr. Obinor: I was the captain of the spaceship Kongovelga, destroyed in deep space some months ago; it was my own spaceship- later I was rescued from the planet where we managed to survive for some time, and here I am- without money and without my spaceship. Sad story, of course- Ill check it, in any case- I dont like liars under my command- if you told the truth, the post is yours. Now, what will be your job, if I accept you? Plain and simple: you depart from here to Jupiter, with a train of freighter wagons; you deliver the space freighters in orbit around Jupiter, and takes the new train of space wagons to our orbit, here in Mars; we are dealing with a big mining company there, and we provide them food and stuff, and we carried here their minerals.- Mr. Obinor said.

Shilar understand the kind of job this guy was offering- like a trucker, he was going to be traveling from one planet to the other endlessly- a bored stuff, but now he was not in a position to bargain- he accepted it, and the Manager said: Ill call you to-day- dont go away too much, in case I need you fast. Very well, Sir. Thanks you.- Shilar said, and went out of the office; he seats on a near-by park, looking how the dome curved up, reflecting the buildings and the trees planted in rows- there were no Fliers no private cars- only the pneumatic was allowed there, and people were get used to this system of mobilization. Chapter Ten The Space Tug Boat. Shilar gives throttle to the main engine, and saw in the screen the tension increasing on the unions between cargo shuttle and cargo shuttle- still in greenthe options were orange and red- the idea was never reach the indicators in red, or the train would collapse and the cargo shuttles, freed of the locking system, would wander alone in the space. That was all the trouble it could be caused by a lousy manage; Shilar was certain he will never be such a clumsy skipper in his life. The velocity was not great- plenty of traffic all around the solar systems planets- known courses must be attained and information exchanged between the automated station and his tug space ship. Four weeks of loneliness makes Shilar begin to talk with his shadow- he saw his face on the bathroom mirror, and he decided to awake some Servants to conserve his brain in a lucid state. He pushed the necessary buttons, and the 20 servants were busy in less than five minutes; Shilar ordered them to revise all systems, to went out and revise the unions, the hulls, everything and kept him informed- in that way, he was talking to them all day long- at night, he ordered them to remain on the corridors and at the main cabin, on the alert. A sense of fulfillment arrives with those actions, and he smiled to himself before getting asleep The rest of the voyage was similar to that first day with the servants working for him; at Jupiters orbit, he was contacted by the mining orbiting station and ordered to fly alongside it; soon the train of shuttle crafts were carried away, and replaced with new carriers, this ones fully loaded with radioactive materials brought up from the surface of Jupiter by automatons capable of to resist the enormous gravitation field the giant of the solar system was capable of. While those works were performed by Electro men, Shilar visited the Director General, Mr. Zariguen Gurford, a large man in his fifties; the mess hall was ten meters long and five meters wide, and several other Naturals were there, having their dinner. Zariguen Gurford presents him to them, saying: this is the new skipper we have in the Company! Say hello to a brave man! They all saluted and more than one laughed a little; Shilar was puzzled by the remark- he, a brave man? Why? And he asked the Director General, when seated at his table. Why did you called me a brave man? To guide a train here from Mars is no big deal!

Yes, but you are going to find yourself in trouble when returning there! Do you know what are you bringing back to those guys in Mars?- Director General asked him. Well, the ores you are loading unto my tug spaceship, of course!- Shilar replied to him. Yes! And its highly radioactive! Not a man had getting near it- nor they will! All the job is made by Synthetic humanoids, pal! A crack in one of those hulls, and your life will end painfully! Thats why I called the newcomers brave; only a fool or a very brave man could ignore the threat those ores represent to his life.- Director Zariguen Gurford said. All right, guess Im a stupid.- Shilar said, drinking from the glass he had in front of him. Almost here had begin like you! Guiding tug spaceships is the first step of the ladder! But before a year you cannot ask for promotions! Wait with clenched teeth for a year, and youll be able to ask for a promotion- no need to worry about money! Here they are earning billions of Credits each month!- Director Zariguen said. Money is not all- I wish to have my own spaceship again- I lost it when traveling with some tourists! Now Ill know better.- Shilar said. Forget it! We spacemen will never learn! Just try to stay alive- thats what counts.- Director Zariguen said, departing; another man seats in front of him, saying: Did our Director bothered you? Dont pay attention to his words! He is a grumpy old man, thats all- Im Simpson, the engineer.- Said the man, and handed him his hand, in the traditional salute. Thanks; Im Shilar, the new tug spaceship kid.- Shilar said, not without grace. Dont sub estimate your tug boat! Because the quantum Aether unit is quantified specifically as 1.419 x10^12 kg*m^3*sec^2*coul^2. The dimensions work out to the unit of rotating magnetic field. A potato is a vegetable, which is a superstructure of subatomic particles. They are two totally different orders of reality It has nothing to do with the viscous-elastic substance that Maxwell and other physicists believed existed and filled all of space. The spin of the Aether unit is determined from scientific observations. By using the scientific method of dimensional analysis and applying it to empirical particle data, we can absolutely quantify the Aether as having two-spin. This is actually agreeable with GR, which states that the graviton must have two-spin. The Aether unit is the same thing as the graviton. The quantum of gravity is the same as the quantum of magnetic fields and the quantum of electrostatic fields. Shilar looked at the man with awe, and said: I really dont get it! I am more of a skipper than a scientist. For an introduction to the math, which demonstrates the spin structure of the Aether unit, you can read: http://www.16pi2.com/files/NewFoundationPhysics.pdf In your spare time.- Simpson burped out. Shilar went out of the mess hall, and a Servant from his tug spaceship said: All ready now to depart, Sir.

All right, lets go.- He said, walking to the pneumotube and inside his tug boat; he managed to start the engines and sending a message to the Director, thanking for his welcome, he turns around and headed to the planet Mars- a very tiny speck in the windshield. Two days later, he read about the gravitons and asked AB 830-3 about it. Do you know what are Aethers and space and time?- Shilar asked the Synthetic person. Only basics, Sir. I know about that M-M experiment failed because both light courses were rotated in a single plane. As a result, both light courses times of travel didnt change. Said another way: M-M didnt have a CONTROL, light course to which a TEST light course could be compared. Compare something to something else that is identical, and the difference will always be nil.= The Synthetic person recited. Well, I know Space has three physical dimensions, not four.- Shilar said. TIME is a variable for describing an objects location in space, but isnt a dimension. Ether is VERY compressible. The ether units called IOTAs get all tangled and form subatomic particles. Arrange those just right and you have atoms; then molecules; then ponder able objects.- AB 830-3 said. I read about some examples with a potato. Do you know what that means?Shilar asked the robot. Indeed, Sir! Ether can form meniscuses! That is: surface tension of IOTAs joined magnetically, end to end. The shape of the Universe within the bubble could be potato shaped, or one that is constantly changing like a huge soap bubble. Pressures in ether, like in a gas, flow from high to low. Light can pass through ether easily, because light and ether are one and the same. A typical photon is likely a small clump of tangled IOTAs. The IOTAs in the ether adjust their viewer specific rotation (clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on which side of the IOTA you are viewing) very quickly to allow the train of photons to pass without resistance. Thats because the tangential velocity of an IOTA is c. As a result of the friendly rotation of those IOTAs being passed, the velocity of light traveling over long distances remains at velocity c. Light isnt waves. It is just photons. Light will travel perfectly well through the Swiss cheese voids between galaxies, where there is little or no ether. There could be other universes. Ether explains every observation in nature except how that energy came into existence. - The Electro man said. Right; once, Branas were not believed to exist- and I come from one of them!Shilar said, dozing. Perhaps you should go into deep sleep, Sir! You are dozing.- The Electro man AB 830-3 told him. Yes, you are right- numbers are dancing on my brain. Please start the processIll be right there in a minute.- Shilar said, going to the bathroom first- he detested to be nursed while in deep sleep- it makes him feel so helpless! Weeks mounted to months, and then he arrives to Marss orbital station 3; there he was told to wait for to deliver the shuttle crafts to bigger spaceships, that will carry the radioactive materials in a safer mode, to Earths moon, where the end process was going to proceed. Mr. Obinor receives him at his office, and said: well, your first delivering was a success! I receive note from Director Zariguen, recommending you as an able

captain; well see about that- in a year span of time- we cannot bypass the routine and tradition of our Company.Thanks you, Sir; I understand the situation- Im a newcomer without much merits- yet. By the way, I wish you could pay me some of my wages- Im almost in zero credit at my bank account.- Shilar asked him. By all means! You deserve your wages, of course- Ill make the deposit in your Bank account right away.- Mr. Obinor said, and dismissed him from his office with a movement of his left hand. Shilar went out, and checked at the first Automatic Bank service he found at Mars City, where he descended in a Companys shuttle. There, in black numbers, the sum of 70.000 Credits cheered his heart- he went to have a good meal, and then to buy new clothes and also a pair of shoes; then he enters a Cabaret, near the Mars Space field; the place was full of astronauts and hangovers, plus a good chunk of beautiful ladies- most of them Synthetic women (or Ewomen, as they called them). Drinking alone, sailor?- A brunette said to him, approaching with a smile on her beautiful face. Yes, want to give me some company? I need company.- Shilar said, with watering mouth. Ill provide you with company, then! Too long on the route of the stars, sailor?The woman asked him. Yes, five months alone in a tin can! If not by some Synthetics to speak with, I guess I would have become mad as an apple.- Shilar said. An apple! Good joke, sailor. Buy me a drink:- The brunette said, smiling professionally. He asked for a drink to the lady- soft drinks that makes no difference in her behavior, and then he heard a row at the back of the Cabaret- a man was with his back to him, fighting three thugs in brown jackets- he stands up, startled. Dont mess with those guys, sailor! You will end in jail- or in the morgue!- The lady asked of him, but Shilar didnt pay attention, and run to the rescue of the solitary man- he detested the unequal fights- two to three was better than one to three opponents. He hit one of the thugs, sending him sprawling to the floor; the lonely man looked at him, saying: Thanks you, pal! Help me with those thugs! Shilar was annoyed: the guy was his old acquaintance, Captain Zubasch! They fight the remnant of the thugs, and when finishing him, the Police enters the Cabaret- the brunette takes him by the wrist, saying: Come along with me, sailor! I know of a second exit! They followed the brunette and ends up on an alley; the police car was at one side of it, but at the other extreme there were nobody. They run away, thanking the girl, and soon they were out of sight from the Police. Guess I owe you one!- Captain Zubasch said, panting by the running around with the flimsy atmosphere that was on those cupolas. Never mind! I didnt know it was you!- Shilar said, walking by a corridor between cupolas. Where are you living now? I had a room at the next cupola.- Captain Zubasch said. No, I havent any room yet! I was on a mission on the sky- first day in town.Shilar said.

Well, you really know how to start your vacations!- Captain Zubasch laughed, and when at the next cupola, they find a small Bar, with the sign Bens Tavern in front, where they talked in front of a bottle of whisky. Tell me about your new job.- Captain Zubasch asked him, while drinking from the bottle. I get a small job on mining organization- I deliver goods to Jupiter, and come back with radioactive ores here. No big deal.- Captain Shilar said. But dangerous! Those tiny shuttles are prone to be hit by asteroids and leak their content on the poor crew that is towing it! Well, guess it was nothing better for you- a man who owns a spaceship in his better days!- Captain Zubasch said, remembering what they told him about Shilar in the precedent voyage. Yes, you are right. Ill collect as much money as I could- possibly in twenty years of hard work I will be able to buy me a new spaceship- this time I will not travel too far as before.- Shilar said, smiling. Yeah, you are right!- Captain Zubasch said. But tell me about you! When will you depart in another exploration to that planet on the Horse Nebula? I cannot forget the dinosaurs that inhabit that wonderful planet- so similar to my own.- Shilar said, remembering Knapp planet. Yes, it was a real nicety, that planet! And dangerous as hell! Too many deaths to remember.- Zubasch said. Perhaps you could find me a job like yours! I love to make long trips- this Jupiter business its good only if you think it takes me out of the line of the unemployed ! But to think of it as a nice future, forget it!- Shilar said. Bad news, my friend! But tell me about that woman of yours- the blonde one! Where is she now?- Zubasch asked him. At her planet of origin! She kissed me good bye and departed! Better for her, of course- Im a loser, and at that time, I was poor as a rat.- Shilar smiled acidly. I understand the situation- women are expensive creatures, and the best way to have them pinioned to us is only one thing: money.- Zubasch said, laughing. Perhaps you are right with the majority of them! But there are some who didnt care about money.- Shilar said, jumping to the defense of the weak sex. I dissent with you! Beautiful woman detest a poor man! The ugly ones- well, those I guess they will stick to a poor man- in the absence of something better!Captain Zubasch said, spitting on the floor. Shilar asked for another bottle of whisky, and after a toast, Captain Zubasch said: Remember those tycoons that were killed at the third planet? Well, their women sue me and the Tourist agency fired me for good! They give me a thousand Credits and an advice: the minute I step on their buildings, they will fire me- not with a paper. Why, are you requested by the Police, or something?- Shilar asked him. Worst! They are searching for me- the widows win the lawsuit, and I am prone to pay them the modest sum of five million Credits!- Zubasch said. Five million Credits! Certainly, not even working thirty years could you get that sum.- Shilar said. Five millions to each of them! Three widows, fifteen million credits! So you know, I cannot put my name in any contract! And at the time being, removing a chip from the skull means certain death!- Zubasch said, referring to the implant every man on the civilized world obtains at the moment of birth.

But, with forged papers you could work as an officer, in some space freighter!Shilar said. Not enough money to buy forged papers! Remember they only pay me with a thousand Credits! Those forgers ask five grand for a new identification!Zubasch said. Shilar was silent for a short while, and he offered to lend him the thousand Credits to Captain Zubasch. Well, guess you drop from Heaven, to me! I accept! And surely, I will work until I pay every credit as soon as I could.- Zubasch said. The thousand credits change hands, and Zubasch said: tell me the address where to find you, so we dont loose contact. Shilar gives him the address (Gerhard Borf Company) and saw Zubasch hurrying by the corridors Shilar was called to duty four days later; he begins his second trip to Jupiter handling almost all the work to the Synthetic personnel; he just administrates everything. He felt that this second voyage takes less time than in the precedent time, and he said so; AB 830-3 replied: Sir, its the orbit! Jupiter is being chased by Mars; every month they are closer and closer, until they reach the perihelion! Then, it will be more and more distant, until youll be traveling months on end just to reach the planet! Oh, I see! Those guys at the Administration office said nothing of the sort!Shilar said. Lots of other pilots had resigned, Sir, just because of this! But you seems not that kind of person.- AB 830-3 remarked. Shilar didnt reply- he needs the money, and as a bachelor, for him it was the same thing to be in deep space or bored on a Bar. Weeks later, he receives an email from Captain Zubasch, telling he already had a job. Shilar felt relieved- he was not so because his money was going to be reimbursed, but because Captain Zubasch was already working and feeling himself part of the society again. Jupiter planet approaching, Shilar begin talking with the mining base about the imminence of his arrival; Mr. Zariguen himself said, through the radio: Welcome, Mr. Shilar! Hope you arrive here without any hindrance? None whatsoever, Sir! What, is it something I dont know?- He asked the Director General. No, of course not! Just wondering about the new war our forces are having on Nekar on Bootes. They are saying the Nekarians deployed a great fleet and he is coming to our Solar System! Here we are like sitting ducks.- Director General Zariguen Gurford said. And he explained what all was about: Nekar on Bootes was one of the first settlements made by Earthmen with Chinese population; from a 3 million original settlers, in three hundred years the amount of populace raise to 300 million people, through inbreeding and also by the continual flow of immigrants from the mother land (China). Their government was a dictatorship of the people, just like the old China in Earth had been- reborn through indoctrination from the major political party, the Red China Mao Is Alive party, or RCMIA. The RCMIA begin by forbidding their people to travel out of the Nekar planetary system; then it forbids non Chinese people to be able to live on Nekar III, and now it was the time to forbid all foreigners, tourists or no tourist, to enter the Nekar P.S.

The Federation of Planets had something to say about this: no planetary system could ever forbid the entrance to the free people of the Federation in their midstand after several recommendations, the war begins in May 30, year 3774 C.E. Its a pity we fight each others! Humans against humans, when there are so many worlds to conquer and colonize.- Shilar said. Thats the whole point! We colonize and then every planet must contribute to the general welfare, or not? If we colonize to have islands isolated from one another, which is the purpose of it? To be alone and split in a thousand pieces?- Director General Mr. Zariguen. You have right; hail to war! I remember some earthman President who earned the Nobel Prize, while he was sending warriors to an occupied country.- Shilar said. Oh, yeah, that man! I remember it, too! Well, if you want to make an omelet, you must crack the eggs!- Director General Mr. Zariguen said. Five days later, Shilar had the new train of freighter shuttles attached to the tug spaceship, and he departed after another amiable chat with Mr. Zariguen, who said: Take care with this trip! You are carrying radioactive material! Shilar thanked him, knowing that the trips were always having radioactive materials capable of to leak and kill him in a matter of minutes. AB 830-3 said: you can rest assure of our experience, Sir. If you so decide, I could prepare the sleeping pod for you. Shilar smiled, and said: Thanks you, but I guess the Company wished me to be awake during all this flights, just in case an important decision must be made. I know it, Sir, but if you permit me an inference, every pilot on this line of work sleep the entire trips! Occasionally, some major problem arise, but also, nothing that you could solve, awake or not.- AB 830-3 said, and Shilar understand it pretty well: a leakage from a shuttle craft will give him two options: to fly away in his special suit and hope some other spaceship could rescue him before the air supply runs out, or just seat waiting for a quick death. All right, Ill take the deep sleep! But see that I am awake when nearing the planet Mars! Or any other anomalous affair.- Shilar recommended, and four hours later, he was inside a pod, with a smile on his face. AB 830-3 said, by radio: Companions! The Chief is asleep; everyone alert on your work stations; well communicate with other Synthetic personnel along the way. Soon they were talking and receiving every bit of information they had; and they had a lot: politics, new advances in science, the state of the art pertaining to robotics, and the like; they were busy and we could say happy until the day Mars grew on the screens; AB830-3 went to the pod and awake his master. When Shilar opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the face of AB830-3 at attention. Hi, Abe! Well, guess this was a long sleep I had this time! How near we are from our destiny?- Shilar asked him. Four days, Sir. I hope you are happy with our work: every section of the ship was revised, and fuel economized. The cargo is O.K. and you just have to call on Mars facilities saying you are arriving soon.- AB 830-3 said. Shilar went to the main cabin and called to the Company, saying: Freighter 930 arriving from Jupiter, Captain Shilar speaking!

Some cracking at the loudspeaker, and a female voice said: Gerhard Gorf Company here! Laisa speaking; welcome home, Captain! You can dock at our new Orbital Station now! Coordinates on your screen! Thanks you, Miss Laisa! Perhaps we could meet when at the Station!- Shilar said, smiling to the beautiful face on the screen. Of course, Captain. Laisa out.- And she ends the communication. AB 830-3 said: Do you like the female, Captain? Yes, of course! Too many days away from human society makes myself longing for human company- especially women.- Shilar said, sighing. Miss Laisa is a Synthetic person, Sir. Sorry, but I must tell you so.- AB 830-3 said. Damn!- Shilar said, disappointed- he love women, but not Ewomen- his thoughts were that perhaps in a serious case of loneliness, he could accept one substitute such as those- but not in the present situation, by all means! They traveled through a throng of different models of spacecrafts, from elongated ones to Orbs, from squares to polygons Shilar saw the new models that were like several needles attached to a sphere. The docking port shines bright ahead- red and yellow colors and with the figure of a cone; several spaceships were already docked into it, and by radio they signaled him where to dock. Dock 4 it is, Sir. Shall I drive?- AB 830-3 asked him; Shilar accepted- the synthetic man was accurate and fast to dock- like well greased machinery. The Pneumotube in place, he walked to the newly orbiting Station; Mr. Obinor was waiting for him, together with some clerks- and a female. Welcome home, captain Shilar! Have a good flight?- Mr. Obinor asked him, while giving his hand to shake. Yes, Sir thanks for your concern! Nice place you have here!- Shilar said, smiling to the group. An investment we could afford now business are going fine! Hope you have no hindrances on your voyage?- Mr. Obinor asked him. None whatsoever, Sir! A piece of cake.- Shilar said, looking puzzled at the man did something happens that he doesnt know? All right, well talk later about that! By now, you must be tired and wishing a good time on the Martian City!- The General Manager said, and guided him to his office- a wide and beautifully lighted one. The female approaches him on the corridor, saying: I am Miss Laisa! We talked by radio. Oh, Miss Laisa! Good to meet you in person! - He said, giving the woman a handshake- her palm was dry and soft, and she has a nice stare on her green eyes. His resolution of nothing with Ewomen begins to wobble inside his brain At the office, he receives the payment- in his Credit Card- same amount as before. The General Manager said: We have facilities here for our personnel, while waiting for refueling or the cargo operations- you can stay here if you want, or went to the surface of Mars; also, if you want to spend one, two or any other number of days here instead of in Mars, just tell my secretary, Miss Laisa.- The General Manager said. Well, I guess Miss Laisa is a new employee?- Shilar asked him. Yes, she is ! Well, this management is expending some of the revenues in this implementations- we are growing as a Company, and our employees must grow with us.- The General Manager said, smiling good bye.

Shilar went to the corridor, not sure what to do next- when Miss Laisa followed him, saying: Are you going to the planet, Captain? I dont know yet! If there is some place where to stay here a couple of days, I would prefer that, and also perhaps to know you better!- Shilar said. Of course, Captain- Ill show you where you could stay while thinking it over.She said, smiling- and sliding by the corridor, she guided him to a small compartment; once inside, she said: You just say what you want in here, Captain! By way of example, Ill teach you how. And at his order of Set bed!- A bed appears from the wall, together with stretchers and a reading lamp on a side. To hide the bed, you just say Bed Away!- And as you see, the bed slides again into the wall- some thing if you want to just seat on a chair, you say so: Set Chair!A table and a couple of attached chairs appear, and she seats there, with him in front. Its nice! I like it.- He said, touching her hand; she smiled and said: I can be with you in two hours more! I must end my shift, first. All right, Laisa! Ill wait for you in here.- Shilar said, smiling; she stands up and disappears on the corridor. The door snapped close and he sighed, looking at the empty wall in front; he felt different- elated and also, waiting for miracles to come his way. A bell resounded on the wall, and a male voice said: Incoming phone call for you, Captain Shilar! When hearing the chime, just speak! Very well.- He said, and then a voice resounded there, saying: Hello, is Captain Shilar at the phone? Yes, I am! Who is this?- He asked, mildly amused for this new kind of communication without seeing who was the caller. Im captain Zubasch, of course! I knew you was coming to Mars- so I decided to invite you for some drinks- same site we saw each other the last time we met. Do you remember where?- Zubasch asked him. O.K., I remember!- Shilar said, alerted by the implications. Very well, well meet in eight hours elapsed time- I have news to tell you.Captain Zubasch said, and hung up. The silence in the room was an almost physical thing for him- what was the so important thing Zubasch was going to tell him? As in precedent times, Shilar try to avoid the curiosity, and so he relaxed, saying: Set Bed! And at the bed, he strapped himself- not to wander through the room with 0 gravity on- and went asleep. He awoke two hours later, by the sound of a chime on the door- he said Come in!- Strapping free from the bed while Miss Laisa get in. She was dressed with a tiny red dress, showing generous portions of bust and long legs- she smiled, and saying: If you prefer, I go away and you keep on sleeping, Captain! No, and by all means, stay!- He said, taking her hand; she looked at his eyes, and offered red lips to be kissed; soon he was in the fifth heavens, with her moaning on his arms- all reluctance to have Ewomen out of his life gone with the wind. Six hours later he said to her: I will be leaving this orbiting station now, Laisa! A friend of mine called me to meet me at Mars City. Oh, the captain Zubasch?- She said, looking at the ceiling with her beautiful eyes.

Yes, him! What, do you heard our conversation?- He asked, amused. Yes! The Company keeps track of every radio or telephone communication between this station and the planet- sorry, dear, but it is standard proceduresnothing against you.- Laisa said. Nice. Well, hope you could help me finding a place on the next shuttle going down the surface.- Shilar asked of her. Three quarters of an hour later, there is a shuttle going to Mars City! Do you want a place in it?- Laisa asked him Yes, please! Try to obtain me a place in that shuttle.- Shilar asked her. Donned, dear! I called by radio- the Central Computer sends you greetings.She laughed softly. You are really demons! Well, guess Ill be back soon afterwards Zubasch tell me whatever he wants of me!- Shilar said. Ill be waiting for you.- She said, kissing him with fire. The shuttlecraft, carrying some goods down, carried several passengers with it, and also Shilar was in there, looking by the screens how unfolds the small passage through the subtle Mars atmosphere- now increased by the machines set there on the surface by man, trying to make a suitable atmosphere for all to breath. The shuttle landed on Mars Cosmodrome, and soon he was walking again under the magnetic field of a planet- difficult at first, not even with pills he could search the fortitude necessary to walk for hours. He went to the joint using the movable sidewalks, under the knowing stare of Martians, who boasted of agility when looking at him The Bens Tavern were open and the waitress was busy serving the recently arrived spacemen that boasted of their trips while drinking beer. A whisky._ Shilar said, seating at a table; the glass of whisky appears on the center of the food dispenser- the waitress looked at him, and said: Do you want ice cubes, sailor? Yes, please!- He said, and looked how she moved to the counter, balancing her body in a very agreeable way. With the ice cubs on his glass, he takes a sip and saw Captain Zubasch arriving with another man to the Tavern- Zubasch saw him and seats on the opposite side of the table, with his companion staring unblinkingly to him. Hi, pal! Here you have your thousand Credits!- He said, handling him a small bag; he opened it and a diamond was there, shining bright. Wow! A beautiful thing.- He said. Yes! And there is more where I want you to accompany me! May I present my colleague, Mr. Dark? He is the owner of a mine- where things like the one you are staring at abound.- Zubasch said. Good to know you.- Shilar said, handling his hand to the man; a big paw takes his and the guy said: Welcome to the raid. Zubasch laughed, and said: Dont pay attention to his saying, pal! If you decide you want to come with us or not, is fine for me. Where?- Shilar asked. First you must say if you are going to be with us or not, pal! I cannot let Captain Zubasch tell our little secret to a person who could open his mouth wide open afterwards!- The Mr. Dark said, with a profound voice. Yeap! I must know how much it will be for me in this business! You know me, Zubasch: I prefer to be on a spaceship than at the best Hotel in town! So, after

this trip of yours comes to an end, Ill be asking for a job inside a spaceship again!- Shilar said. Of course, pal! Lets see: four parsecs away, and in a tiny planet orbiting a red giant. Duration of our trip: minimal of course. I see no danger in our trip- the war is in the other direction!- Zubasch said. And the amount? Im making seventy grand for a round up trip- six trips per year means 420.000 Credits per year! Are you offering that much?- Shilar asked him. More, of course! I guess you can obtain a couple of million Credits out of this one.- Zubasch said, blinking an eye in his direction. All right, a couple of zillions suits me fine! When we departed?- He asked, feeling elated. Four weeks- thats what our mechanic is saying will take to refit our spaceshipan old Orb, of course- not the last model- but I know the ones as reliable machines.- Zubasch said. An Orb.- Shilar said, scratching his head- never been on one of those antics, but he was sure the Orbs were something notable in the old days- no wonder they were repairing it- at the least, the machine must have some fifty years of age The man called Mr. Dark said: I invested a lot on that machine- you can bet your soul the Orb outmatch any known vehicle of the same side you choose against. His voice was hoarse and his words to the point- Shilar said: Ill return to the orbiting station and tell them Im quitting- also, theres a Ewoman there that is favoring me with her charms. Zubasch asked another drink and said: You are being pinioned down! That Efemale certainly cannot be doing things just for free! And besides, the Organization is not going to let you quit so easily! You sign a contract, remember? They will be asking you to stay for one or two more trips. Shilar said Theres nothing in that Contract that forces me to stay for more time than I wish to stay! You didnt read the Contract thoroughly.- Mr. Dark said, bending a coin with his fingers. The Contract said you can provide more of your time if the Organization needs it! And they sure will make things appearing as they are in need! You better dont return there- Im sure they could convince our little voyage is pure nonsense! Especially while you are entangled with those soft arms.- Captain Zubasch said. Everyone is entitled to a woman! But in our business we must be bachelors for the duration of our work.- Mr. Dark said, tossing the coin to the floor. Shilar was not liking this; his job was well paid and he was not totally sure those millions Zubasch were so loosely offering were going to became a reality; by the contrary, the whole operation sounds very insecure, now they were forcing him to let down his work without a personal resignation. Captain Zubasch looked on his wrist watch and said: well, buddy, we must to get going! Too many things to do before our departure! Try to be here in twelve days more! Well be waiting at this same time and place for you.- Mr. Dark said, standing up.

Shilar saw them leave the Bar and he sighed- the job at the Gerhard Gorf Co. was a routine easy to keep, where money could had been obtained for dozen of years without much efforts. He called the Gerhard Gorf Co. by Visophone, and resigned with short phrases; he heard how they change the communication to Mr. Zariguen, who said: Im in the middle of a meeting- and they are telling me you are resigning! What is the matter? They offered me a one trip job, with plenty of money in it- and I accepted it.Shilar said. By all means, man! You can ask for permission, instead of a resigning! Call again, and ask for permission; theyll give it to you: I will endorse it!- Mr. Zariguen Gurford said, and hung up. Shilar obeyed, and it was donned without further problems- when he was about to end the call, a feminine voice said: Shilar? This is Laisa speaking! Shilars heart gives a bounce when looking at her face- she said: Are you going out in trip, darling? Yes- with a friend; its an opportunity I cannot refuse big money in it.- Shilar explained. I will be waiting for you.- Laisa said. That will be nice.- Shilar said, enveloped now in pink clouds. Or I could accompany you in your little voyage- I can do that, you know? There are new laws pertaining our species- I dont know if you are informed of that.Laisa said. I am not totally aware, but yes, something about it I had been listening on the news.- Shilar said. Yes; I can go with you, if you want me- darling.- Laisa said, melting another chunk of Shilars chocolate heart. I dont know- these guys are tough- or at least one of them is- they could be mean along the way.- Shilar said. Dont worry about my safety, dear! I dont want to scare you, but a Natural human has scant percentage of success while trying to make me harm.- She said, smiling gently. All right, dear! Ill talk with those guys and Ill call you back.- Shilar said. Or I could be with you while you wait for an answer? I can ask for permission right now- I knew you are one of Mr. Zariguens protge- he will accept if I ask for a permission, just to have you protected.- Laisa said. Shilar gives it a second thought- where the warm arms and shining eyes of the Ewoman has a huge amount of weight- and said: Yes, ask for it! Ill be waiting your call at Bens Tavern. Fine, darling. Good bye.- She said, and ends the connection. Shilar went out to the street, not sure he was mad or what- to accept a nice Efemale on a males trip was pure nonsense- troubles could arise easily, but he was having an affair with Laisa, and that was guiding the whole scheme out of the tracks. Later, he finds a room at an hotel, near the Tavern; at the service machine, he revised his Bank Account, and there he had 83.390 Credits. Shilar realize those 70.000 Credits they were paying him were not enough for his ideal: to buy a spaceship and return to the world of space freighters as an owner. Before midnight, he went out to the street, refreshed by a cold shower, and enters Bens Tavern, where he asked for a drink- next to his table, several

persons were celebrating something, and he recognize Mr. Figornio Pervoluto and Mr. Askalet Inoculo among them. This last person saw him and stared in his direction, and soon Mr. Figornio looked in his direction, saying: Captain Shilar! Nice to see you! Come here, take a glass with us! Shilar went there, and soon a waiter brings a seat while Mr. Figornio presents him to the rest. This is Captain Shilar, the one rescued while visiting the third planet we had talked you so much! He saw the dinosaurs and can reaffirm all we had been telling you is true!- Mr. Figornio Pervoluto said. A glass of whisky with ice cubes was in front of Shilar, and he drinks before he said: Yes, these fine gentlemen were on that savage planet, seeing how the rest of the tourists were devoured by angry dinosaurs. The other people were five young and smiling women, with scant clothes on. Two other middle aged men were present, looking at him and trying to realize if he was telling the truth of lying for some reason. Mr. Figornio said when Shilar finished his account: This people wish to be traveling there with us! We are preparing a trip to the third planet again! Do you want to take us there?-+ I wish I could! I have no spaceship and I am in the verge of a trip it will take some time to be accomplished.- Shilar said. Askalet Inoculo said: well, we are raising money at the moment- if we went there, it will be not before six months elapsed time. You could go with us, like an advisor. We have two or three spaceship captains available; we need to get some other tourists on this journey. To make some money on the side, I dont know if you understand me.- Askalet Inoculo said. Yes, the need to make money goes with your kind of person! - Shilar said, smiling The most beautiful woman at the table said: This captain is very clever. I like him. And Shilar was amazed to look her really mean it. I accept your invitation! Please wait until my return- I hope you are going to be on the team, lady?- Shilar asked the beautiful lady, and she laughed and replied: Of course I will! What, are you impressed by me? Wait, wait! You are under my personal tutelage!- Askalet Inoculo said to her, and that was the end of that conversation, at least for Shilar, who stands up and said: Well, ladies and gentlemen, I get to go now. Have a nice evening, and well be in contact. He went out of the Tavern and walked under the cupola; the stars werent visible as the curvature makes them a blur- he saw a nice square plaza and seats on a rock, looking at the streets, where people were using the moving ways. He was on Mars, but he could be in any other city of the known civilized universe- except for the cupola 130 meters above his head. He saw the bunch of Mr. Inoculo traversing the site on the moving ways, laughing and hugging the girls with delight; he smiled- those people certainly knew how to make a common day shine as gold. Chapter 11 LAISA.

Shilar went to the lock and puts on a special suit; Laisa followed him out. Here we should find those riches they were talking so much. I wonder where the treasure is! Pity they didnt leave a map or something! I revise the whole spaceship twice!Laisa said, raising her voice.. The vegetation was scarce- the atmosphere was almost devoid of oxygen but for those plants it was enough. Laisa said I guess I could follow tracks, my dear! You mean the meanderings of Captain Zubasch and Mr. Dark?- Shilar asked. Yes. Time had passed, but perhaps I could find objects or signs around this place. Remember that the spaceship landed on autopilot- same place as before, as the memory on the Main Computer is telling.- Laisa said, and Shilar accepted her idea. She walked around very fast, and soon she was going in an almost straight line to some mountains on the horizon. Laisa said: I could go first, darling- Ill be back tomorrow morning. Not in a million years!_ Said he, embracing her tenderly. I dont want to loose you! You are not going to loose me! I see no threat in these environs! No animal is present- oxygen is simply too scarce to sustain animal life!- Laisa said. All right, this is what we are going to do: Keep on the trail, and I will follow you on the spaceship- before dark, you will stop and I will descend near you.- Shilar said. Laisa smiled, while her memory system computed those words, comparing Shilar behavior with some other examples of human reactions- she finds out humans often make follies like those, and then she accepted. Shilar hovered over the terrain, following Laisas advance she had moments when she loose the trail; give ample circles walking, and when recovering it, she waves to him and continuous advancing. This happened a dozen times, until it was dark to keep on going. Shilar descended and Laisa climbed agile by the ramp, saying: We advanced thirty two kilometers, dear! Pity we must stop for the night. For me is a delight to be with you by night!- Shilar said, kissing her; and she giggled. After supper, they lie on a couch looking at the stars by a porthole. Thousands of them filled the sky, and also masses of faint lighted gas clouds. We are seventy two parsecs away. This must be a record.- Shilar said. The record is three hundred and two parsecs away, dear!_ Laisa said, after a brief search on her database. I guess there are no tourists around here- way too far and without much to see.- Shilar said. Of course not, dear! No air and no particular geological curiosities around here.- Laisa said, kissing him soothingly. I wonder if this planet is so desolated as you said.- Shilar said. Desolated!- She murmured on his hear. At the next day, Laisa begin her scouting early in the morning; she walked tirelessly all day long until dusk. Shilar descended and she said, after getting inside the spaceship: Wow! Today we did advance, dear! A hundred and fifty four kilometers! Of course, its two hundred and three kilometers, with the necessary detours I had to make! Shilar said: Take a shower, darling! Look at your garments!- And she was dirty all around.

On the second!- Laisa laughed, and disappears on route to her cabin, where she had a hot shower, where she clean her beautiful body and put on a towel around her body, with a pair of sandals; Shilar was waiting her at the mess hall, with a plate of soup (for him) and an E-milk glass for her. Nice gesture, dear! The milk-E its fine for me, after swallowing so much dirt!And her big green eyes sparkled with delight. Shilar was happy with her on that silent room, and kissed her perfumed lips. She said: We make a good couple, isnt it? Remember Mr. Zuibasch and Mr. Dark? They werent very nice to us. Yeah! I wonder if they were going to split treasure fair share with me.- Shilar said, taking some more tomato soup. I heard some conversations recorded at the time by the Main Computer of this spaceship, saying they were going to pay you a fixed amount, and not a share of the treasure.- Laisa said. They told me they were going to give me a fair share!- Shilar exclaimed. Be thankful they were going to give you a payment and not to kill you to keep their secret secure.- Laisa said, smiling. Shilar was happy now of his solitude, as he has no need to split treasures with anyone. The tracks arent any more.- Laisa said by radio, at the next day. Too many pebbles down there.- Shilar said, in dismal voice. Yes, dear. Its a sea of pebbles. Can you see where it ends?- She asked by radio. Some ten kilometers away, darling. I will descend to the ground, so we both could evaluate this situation.- Shilar recommended, and soon he was grounding the spaceship near Laisas standing point. Laisa climbed the ladder and soon they were hovering over a ravine- the end it was of the stretch with pebbles. Must be inside the ravine- on a side. Lets see it with the ultra red light.- Laisa said, and soon a cave was detected. The ravine its seventy five meters deep, on this side of the cliff. Let me search for ropes, nails and a picket hammer, and I will be going. You can descend near the border.- Laisa said, walking to the warehouse to search for the aforementioned stuff. Shilar descended and landed a hundred meters from the border, and Laisa walked to the border, searching for clues- soon she found nails, eroded by time, thirty meters below the border, a piece of rotten cord still attached to them. We found some thing of importance here.- Shilar heard her reporting, using a special suit with a helmet. Fine, dear. Take care with the incline.- He recommended, seeing how she made a knot unto a nail and descended swiftly. Thirty meters and I am in, dear.- Its a cave all right. The scanners dont lie.Laisa added. Did you see whats in there? Must be dark to see well.- Shilar commented from the border. Not for me, dear! I am seeing through night vision lenses- very filthy in hererocks and pebbles, there is a small mound here- I keep on walking, curveloosed flat rocks- guess they leave the treasure on the mound- getting back.Laisa informed him.

She climbs and looked at Shilar, who was with the full gear on and saying: Well, dear, we are about to get rich. Yes, darling. Take the shove- pity I cannot descend with you.- Shilar said, and she accented blinking an eye- he certainly was able to make the small descent, but he wasnt wanting it perhaps afraid to get injured on a deserted planet with no human company to be of help in case of some accident. Laisa descended very fast, and worked hard- the shovel hits metal at four meters deep. She get the dirt off the lid, opened it after a small LASER kit, and gold and diamonds were shining there. You wont believe what I found!- She radioed. What?- Shilar said, containing his breath. Valuables!- She said, and then she return with a sample of what was there: a bag with gold coins and diamonds sparkling under the electric lamps. By the Big Deeper! Im rich!- Shilar exclaimed, handling those gold coins and the translucent stones. Laisa takes every coin and diamond from the metallic chest, and went to the spaceship, where they weighed and calculated the value of the gold and the carats in sight. Then she said: Eighty million Credits in gold and forty six millions Credits in diamonds- being conservative on the appreciation. A hundred and twenty six million Credits! Guess I could enjoy the rest of my life!- Shilar said, embracing Laisa with joy. We could return now, dear! Nothing else to do here.- Laisa said, and soon they were speeding out of that planet. The way back was hard and troublesome- a class B Star had exploded and several sections on the route were dangerous for human life, so Laisa make detours to avoid it- the coming back takes more years than first thought. At last, Mars was on view, and Laisa makes him resurrect from his long induced sleep that amounts to fifteen years. She tends him like a baby the first five days, cleaning and feeding him until he was in full possession of mind and body again. Fifteen years elapsed time, but here we are, in full sight of planet Mars!- Laisa said. You hadnt aged a bit!- He said, smiling and thinking what could had happened without a synthetic humanoid on board- and remembering how fast Natural women lost their youth and merriment with the running of the years. The gold and the diamonds must be declared. If you do, a quarter of it will disappear inside the hungry muzzle of the government agencies. By the other way, if you dont declare it, youll be in trouble if you buy properties without Explaining where do you get the money.- She informed him. Ill declare only the forty percent of the gold, and a twenty per cent of the diamonds. I dont pretend to buy factories nor castles.- He said, so they set apart what was going to be shown, and get in hidden was not going to be shown to the authorities. Once on Mars City, and with the gold and diamonds, he searched for people willing to do business without the greedy pawn of the Government in the middle of it- and obtained the previously calculated amount. They are offering eighty million Credits for the space freighter- Laisa said, two days later. They were on an expensive Hotel and on the water tempered pool. Tell them I ask a hundred million Credits for it! Its a fine spaceship- an orb.Shilar said, swimming backwards.

They offered ninety millions, no questions ask._ Laisa said, after the brief radio communication with the electronic people belonging to the clients. I will not sell it- I prefer an Orb than any other spaceship this civilization is making! - Shilar said. Dear! The Orb is way too old to resist a long trip again! The traversing by the space takes his share and it would be short of a miracle if you could return again in that spaceship from another voyage.- Laisa informed him. What a pity! Sold it, then!- Shilar said, thinking how nice was to be on board of an old Orb. Youll be able to buy another faster one! - She said, smiling and understanding he was already nostalgic about the old junk. Shilar knew that the space-bug he had inside his brain will soon begin troubling him for another season on space- so he decided to visit some Mars resorts before that bug comes to life again. They lodged at the Marine Syrtis Hotel three days afterwards- Shilar meet several heavy gamblers, who talked about profits on the mountains of Syrtis Major. Syrtis Major is centered near at 824N 6930E / 8.4N 69.5E / 8.4; 69.5, extends some 1,500 km north from the planet's equator, and spans 1,000 km from west to east. It is in the Syrtis Major quadrangle. It encompasses a large slope from its western edge at Aeria dropping 4 km to its eastern edge at Isidis Planitia. It includes a high-altitude bulge that rises 6 km at 310 W. Most of Syrtis Major has slopes of less than 1, a much lower inclination than the slopes of the Tharsis shield volcanoes. It has a 350x150 km north-south elongated central depression containing the calderas Nili Patera and Meroe Patera, which are about 2 km deep. The floors of the calderas are not elevated relative to the terrain surrounding Syrtis Major. The floor of Nili Patera is the less cratered, and therefore the younger, of the two. While most of the rock is basaltic, dacite has also been detected in Nili Patera. Satellite gravity field measurements show a positive gravity anomaly centered on the caldera complex, suggesting the presence of a 600x300 km north-south elongated extinct magma chamber below, containing dense minerals (probably mainly pyroxene, with olivine also possible) that precipitated out of magma before eruptions. Crater counts date Syrtis Major to the early Hesperian epoch; it postdates formation of the adjacent Isidis impact basin. But must be very expensive the machinery and the crews must cost a fortune.- Shilar said, reluctantly. Not much! You can start with five hundred thousand Credits! Of course, revenues will be equally small.- The fat man in front of him on the table said; he was Albert T. Hokes, a tycoon on vacations. Ill study the possibilities.- Shilar said, deploying three Aces over the table and subsequently winning the hand. Good luck again! You must be sad in the field of love!_ Albert T. Hokes said, while loosing 32.000 Credits. Something like that! I have no fiance, but a trusty Efemale.- Shilar said, shuffling the cards. Synthetic people is for the low classes! I wonder which pretty woman will prefer a poor man! But you are a rich man! How comes that?- Albert T. Hokes asked, while receiving his five cards.

Leave the man alone with his delights! I have several Efemale and my wife. The only complaining person is my wife.- Lorton Kutterbrunner said, looking at his cards. Albert T. Hokes coughed, and ask for three more cards. Shilar smiled, thinking how those tycoons loved the thrill of Poker and when loosing, they not even flinch a millimeter on their efforts. In that spread of cards, Shilar lost five hundred Credits- he was always playing with a norm: never keep on playing if the loosing went beyond the thousand Credits. When earning he keep playing to the end, no matter if he ends up with 200 Credits on his pocket.. His idea was to have fun, and never arrives to became a compulsive player. He went to the Bar, with his fellow players- it was a tradition to end card playing at the Bar- the winner usually paid the first three rounds- in that way, nobody has bad feelings against him (the winner whoever he happened to be). Albert T. Hokes said: I invite you to see my mining field! You certainly will became interested in to do something with your money and your working time, while you learn what all is about. I accept the invitation! Perhaps to be the general manager makes me feel good.- Shilar said, taking his glass of Bourbon. From other side of the room, a voice called him: Shilar! He went there, and saw Mr. Figornio Pervoluto and Mr. Askalet Inoculo, eating roasted dinosaurs with Pterosaurs eggs. Mr. Shilar! Good to see you again! Have a seat.- Pervoluto invites him with a gesture of his hands. Thanks, Mr. Pervoluto! But I am with some friends, now. How do you do? Fine, of course! Having table pleasures: the most innocent of them. No pregnant women complaining afterwards.- Mr. Inoculo said, with a big laugh. Come to talk with us! We are at the Plaza hotel, room 303- we will have some guests this evening.- Mr. Pervoluto said. Ill be there! Bon appetite.- Shilar said, and departed. At a later hour, Shilar arrives to the Plaza Hotel, and after a brief confirmation by the Attendant, he was ushered to the presence of Mr. Pervoluto and Mr. Inoculo. Good you arrive in time! There is an important person from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is going to present us with some new information.- Inoculo said. The suite has a wide saloon where some furniture gives the comfort necessary for the guests. Good evening, Captain Shilar! May I present you the Ministry Borgibon?Pervoluto asked him, and a big man in his fifties rise from his seat to shake hands with Captain Shilar. Glad to meet you! I had heard several stories of you, while on a dinosaur infested planet.- Minister Borgibon said. Probably augmented in scope? I had the luck to get out in one piece from that hideous place.- Shilar said. And will you not return there? The hunting process must be tantalizing.Minister Borgibon asked. Well, perhaps if I get bored amidst my civilized pairs I could think on a return.Shilar said, thinking on the deceased friends and companions killed at that planet by ferocious dinosaurs.

Mr. Pervoluto said: Mr. Farthom is about to arrive. Please accept some beverages by the meantime.- And two maids dressed in green uniforms offered them sodas and biscuits. Suddenly, a chime resounds and four guards in red dresses preceded Mr. Farthom, which was a fat middle aged gentleman, with a holographic laptop firmly grasped with his hands. Good evening you all! Sorry I am late, but I get lost in my way here.- He excuses himself. Mr. Pervoluto said it was all right, and presented him to his guests: The Minister, a couple of old ladies, and three other male gentlemen, among them Captain Shilar. Good to know you, Gentlemen! I came in the name of the Philocosmic Club, an ancient organization originally to unveil the pail of mystery from the Face of the Earth, some hundred years ago.- Farthom said. Mr. Farthom is a lecturer from the Philocosmic Club, an institution dedicated to the observance of UFOS and CUFOS.- Mr. Pervoluto hurried to express. Lets hear!- Mr. Askalet Inoculo said, seated on a sofa. Mr. Farthom asked for a glass of soda to have in handy, and he said: Lets talk about a UFO sighting occurred in the year 2007. It involves different persons and organizations, as you could hear. The UFO Reporting Center received an eyewitness report from an employee of the O'Hare Airport in Chicago as early as the middle of November, 2006, stating that an unknown object had hovered over the major airport for several minutes on November 7. The object then shot away from the area, creating an "eerie" hole in the cloud cover. This initial account went virtually unnoticed, viewed as just another report. On January 1, 2007, Jon Hilkevitch of the Chicago Tribune wrote an article titled, "In the sky! A bird? A plane? A U.F.O.?" which broke the O'Hare sighting report to the mass media. Peter Davenport of the N.U.F.O.R.C. had related his findings to Hilkevitch, which listed a number of United Airline employees who had come forward with their eyewitness accounts of that day. When contacted, an United Airlines spokesman denied the report. The employees became upset that the airlines would not take their reports seriously. They reported that a saucer-shaped U.F.O. had hovered above the airport for several minutes before shooting away at great speed through the clouds. The energy expelled from the burst of energy had made a strange, eerie hole in the cloud bank. The question had to be asked, Could this have been something as simple as a weather balloon, or some trick of the eye? Although more than a dozen witnesses had seen and reported the U.F.O. to United Airlines, when first queried by the Chicago Tribune, the Airlines denied that they had any knowledge of the events of November 7. However, the Federal Aviation Administration admitted that the air traffic control tower had received a call from a United Airlines supervisor requesting information on an "elliptical-saucer-shaped craft" hovering over Concourse C of the terminal. FAA spokesperson Elizabeth Isham Cory stated that none of the air traffic controllers had seen the object, and they saw no radar return from an uncorrelated target. She also stated that the FAA had no plans to investigate the incident. They did, however, have a theory - the sightings were caused by a "weather phenomenon." Hilkevitch reported that there were plenty of "chuckles" in the tower over the report. The UFO was first seen by a United Airlines ramp worker who was directing a plane at Gate C17, according to a report by the NUFORC. He stated that his

sighting occurred at 4:30 PM. He and other witnesses said the object was dark gray, and clearly visible in the clouds. The object did not show any lights, and could have been up to 24 feet in diameter. The object made no noise as it hovered over the airport. "I tend to be scientific by nature, and I don't understand why aliens would hover over a busy airport," said a United mechanic who was in the cockpit of a Boeing 777 that he was taxiing to a maintenance hangar when he observed the metallic-looking object above Gate C17. "But I know that what I saw and what a lot of other people saw stood out very clearly, and it definitely was not an [Earth] aircraft," the mechanic said. The United Airline manager stated that he heard reports of the UFO on internal airline radio. "I stood outside in the gate area not knowing what to think, just trying to figure out what it was," he said. "I knew no one would make a false call like that. But if somebody was bouncing a weather balloon or something else over O'Hare, we had to stop it, because it was in very close proximity to our flight operations." Considerations: An important consideration in the matter is public safety, and whatever was in the area at the time posed a risk to planes and passengers. All witnesses to the events of November 7, state that the object was not a weather balloon, helicopter, airplane, or any known conventional flying craft. It is important to note that some of the reports were made by pilots, whose professional expertise involves the identification and observance of flying craft. Some Conclusions: Pilots aboard the plane at Gate C17 were alerted to the sighting by United personnel. One of the pilots opened his cockpit windscreen to get a good look at the UFO. He saw the object accelerate through the clouds, which had a ceiling of 1,900 feet at the time. Because of the fear of losing their jobs, and probably being under instruction to not discuss the incident, all of the employees who have come forward have done so anonymously. There are reports from reliable sources that at least one photograph was taken of the object, but as of this writing, none have been made public. United Airlines had the witnesses make drawings of what they saw, but even these drawings have not been made public. The FAA, which initially told the Chicago Tribune that it had no knowledge of the sightings, has changed their position because the Tribune filed a Freedom of Information Act request. It remains to be seen what will be revealed in this compelling UFO sighting case at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. Mr. Farthom ends his lecture, and they all applauded, fascinated by his memory. He receives his payment, and before leaving, he handled address cards to the guests, saying: For you, gentlemen, in case you need me in some of your future reunions! Good bye! After he went out, Minister Borgibon said: Curious guy! Preoccupied of resolved mysteries! But I have something else to say: the mining operations here on Mars have their days numbered. How is it? I have my mines well administered.- Mr. Albert T. Hokes said. Yes! Nothing to blame on you, owners! But politicians want more money to spend in their projects, and you know how they are! They never stop to create

more expenses each month! So they are pressing for to take the mining operations under control of the State. Not too soon, at least?- Mr. Lorton Kutterbrunner asked him. Not before a year! But they are advancing in their efforts! My recommendation for you, friends, is this: sell while you can! After the law became a certainty, I am sure the Government will pay mine owners with tidbits and crumbs. Small amounts. Up until now, this political efforts seems rather futile 128 But I tell you: they will make that option a reality. Mr. Albert T. Hokes said to Shilar: If you want to invest now, do it in tourism! With a couple of spaceships of your own, carrying people to planetoid Resorts, you will certainly get richer. Well, that was previous line of work, before I lost my spaceship in an accident.- Shilar said, asking himself if he will be forced to be behind a helm in his future. They went to the table, where a real banquet was to be had- meat, verdures and wines to satisfy the most exigent of palates were there. The servants keep the wine to the brim every time the guest takes a drink, and jokes and merriment was exchanged among them. Later, elaborated deserts were offered, and fruits from a dozen planets were lying on silver dishes. A pair of films was projected during the banquet, showing mostly females while dancing. We have bedrooms for you, my guests! No need to drive home until the morning!- Mr. Albert T. Hokes announced, and the concurrence accepted the invitation- Shilar ends sleeping on a comfortable bed on a rented apartment next to Mr. Hokes suit. Later, Captain Shilar awoke at noon, while a servant was preparing the bathroom for him to get into a bathtub full of warm and scented water. Good morning, Sir! Have you a nice sleep?- The Efemale servant asked him, while he yawned. Yes, thanks you!- He smiled, feeling rather well. The bath is waiting for you- do you want me to scrub your back and help you in the bathroom?- She asked him with a smile. Yes, I will appreciate that!- Shilar said, willing to accept the full treatment. She gives him a pair of sandals and he walked inside the bathroom; soon she was scrubbing her back and helping with the soap. After the bath, he dressed himself with his garments and departed to his own place; he was thinking it was good to be known by important people who care for his guests. At his apartment, Laisa was waiting. Hi, dear! How it was at your dinner party?- Laisa asked him, kissing him lightly. Fine, darling! The mining fields are going to be grabbed by the State, so Ill be not doing that kind of investment. Instead, I was recommended to open a tourist Agency, with at least two spaceships- they told me the Asteroid Belt has numerous Resorts where to be carrying the tourists.- Shilar explained. Incredible news! But who told you about the nationalization of mining Industries?- Laisa asked who hadnt heard that news through the Synthetic Community communication system.

The Minister Borgibon was present and he gives the news to the rest of the people at that party. I have no reason to doubt him.- Shilar explained. How was he like? A big guy in his fifties- green eyes, big hands, dressed in a blue suit.- He remembered. It matches my database image- but also he could be a person resembling him, and you could had been invited to just leave you out of the business.- Laisa said. But Mr. Albert T. Hokes was the one who was conning me to be a new mine owner! How could he make a real loony plot just for me?- Shilar asked, highly molested by her doubts. The real Borgibon has three sons- one of them is a Judge on Mars City. Ill be working in this case- we must be sure Borgibon was at your party, and also if he is talking the truth.- Laisa said, caressing his hair. I am not decided to get back to the spaceship trade! I dont like to be enchained to a single planetary system, now I had seen so many worlds waiting in deep space to be visited.- Shilar said. Yes, dear. I can plot a chart for you- perhaps a trip back to the dinosaur planet?- Laisa suggested. First we need a fine spaceship of our own! But Im going to visit a mining camp with Mr. Hokes. Laisa said: Lets go seeing spaceships, dear? I know a place where you could visit dozens of them without traveling where they are storage. All right! If Mr. Hokes calls on me, what are we going to do?- Shilar asked her. The answer machine will be me, dear! Dont worry about a missing call any more!- Laisa said, kissing him tenderly. The place ( Bitpace Underdog Spaceships Company) was a huge megabuilding; it was a place full of holographic videos, where Shilar could choose from a small four seta interplanetary ship, to huge Behemoths carrying thousands of passengers plus cargo wherever the fancy of its owner decides. Apart from viewing the spaceships, he could choose to drive them in virtual world, using a chamber (Holodeck). The Agent, a negro man, said: You can drive up to seven spaceships for day, Sir. More than that, you will have to pay a price to increase the number. No problem to pay fares! Let us see a Negroponte Class B spaceship! It was my last acquisition, and I certainly will be delighted to be on the main cabin of one of those.- Shilar asked. The Negro man opened a gate for them to pass, saying: You can drive all you want in there, Sir. Have a good flight. Thanks you, man!- Shilar smiled, walking inside with Laisa at his side. The place was the interior of a Mother Ship- hundreds of spaceships were storage inside. Shilar could choose anyone and the place changes from the cabin of a mother ship to the one he likes. Instructions appears on screens about the chosen vehicle and ways to drive it- also, he could just and simply press the Mode option, and the trip begins without him to worry about the commands. Shilar was delighted to be using the same controls he knew so well; Laisa helped him when new appliances appeared.

New gadgets! Of course, its easier now than before- twenty odd years had passed, so I dont blame myself not to do know everything this wonderful spaceship can do.- Shilar said. Of course, dear- these models are refitted and could be of use, if you are a nostalgic; but of course, I recommend you to improve. Instructions could be sent to me by the main computer of this place, in case I ignore some item. Just choose another model, dear.- Laisa said. They tested eight other different models (one of them a Behemoth, just for the fun of it) and decided that the spaceship model P130-TP was the most suitable and not as expensive of models with similar characteristic able to travel far into the space. Eighty one million credits! Well, its a fine machine- you could have twenty eight passengers in it at five different cabins; it has seventeen cryogenic pods and five disruptors to smash meteorites up to seven tons each.- The Vendor said, through a holographic projector. Full equipment.- Laisa said- she had all the details on her memory. Yes; two Hughs and one all purpose Synthetic Entity- they are radio connected with the Main Computer for all practical jobs.- The Vendor said. Ill buy it. When it will be ready for delivery?- Shilar asked. Two days, Sir.- The Vendor said, taking the Credit Card that Shilar was offering. Ill be on board. I want to see what they are doing with the spaceship and my fiance here, could record everything.- Shilar said. As you wish, Sir- no problem at all.- The Vendor replied. They arrive to the Spaceship four hours later- with their luggage and personal things included. Shilar went to the main cabin, while Josella supervised everything the technicians from the Bitpace Underdog Spaceships Company were doing on board. There was an enormous quantity of things to learn, and Laisa learned them all in seven minutes; the Technicians from the Bitpace Underdog Spaceships Company receives her cooperation during the day and half they were working on that model. Shilar was happy to know that several extra improvements were inserted thanks to Laisa clever decisions. I refuse several entertaining kits and in exchange I asked for improvements on the guiding system.- She said, while hugging him. Right! I dislike getting entertainments while traveling through space. I prefer to work and create instead.- Shilar said. Laisa shows him several gadgets and appliances along the different chambers; she also explains something on engines and propulsion system an newly developed; Shilar realize there were lots of developments he had no idea Mankind is a clever race. Guess a dozen years changes everything. Shilar said. With the double air of aliens and computers, dear! Laisa said, retuning to the main cabin- We need some more people in this spaceship if you want to take full advantage of this wonderful ship. Laisa added. How many of them? Eight synthetic persons, dear. As we were talking, we nee to have the last models available- you will be not teaching them how to drive this spaceship or use their different parts. This is important, and also they will have lots of more improvements.- Laisa informed. And the price? Shilar asked, worriedly to hear astronomical figures.

In the old days, new models were very expensive, that is not so in these days, A model AB costs a million, a model AB cost a million and half each.- Laisa said. Eight millions are too many millions! Are thy they not older models available Shilar asked her. Of course they are, dear. But I cannot assure you that they will work properly, Laisa said. Well, I it is you who could be supervising them all the time. You are an expensive model I am sure of it. -AB dear. -That sounds impressive to me. Dont make me laugh! I am sure you dont know what models AB could do.She laughed. I guess I have a faint idea.- He said, kissing her and she was delighted to be desired by him. She said: I was the most awarded model on exhibition at the Synthetic Fair in the year 3772; we also get some rewards at the Cybernetic Saloon the same year. Of course, now I am surpassed by a dozen so models.- Laisa exclaimed. All right, I have three million credits for those assistants! See that you bought them from some Knappian reseller! They have cheaper models second hand not to be despised.- Shilar said. Mars has been always a good producer of Synthetic Humanoids- no needs to travel to the planet Earth to obtain good products.- Laisa said. As I said, you better find some Knappian models.- Shilar said, seating in front of the Holovisor to hear the news and learn some more about developments in his field of expertise. He was worried to learn a de-materializing devise was being used by evil brains to kill people by materializing objects inside their bodies- especially inside their skulls. I wonder when delinquents are going to be erased from our civilization! They only destroy and thwarts what others create.- He told Miss Laisa. Why their brains work like that? Because humans are Designed to learn from zero information to their full capacities through time and environment. If their environment is not the adequate, they learn in twisted ways and arrive to full capacities with flaws. That is why governments struggle to give food and shelter, as well as education to people without parents or without proper fathers who didnt sent their children where they should be taught.- Laisa said. Yes, it is a pity we dont change our ways from the deep end.- Shilar said, meaning that all children should be educated by the Government from age four onwards. The spaceship now it was orbiting Mars on a course defined by the Authoritiesseveral other space ships were also seen as mere specks of light on the velvet of sky. I wonder if Mr. Hokes and Mr. Kutterbrunner still are eager to travel to that far away planet.- Shilar said. Theres only one way to find out: did I call them?- Laisa asked him. Yes, do it.- Shilar replied, plunging into what was possibly and adventure.

CHAPTER 12 HOPRO 3 The spaceship was already arriving to Hopro 3- 130 light years from Earth; and the planet was there shining bright while moving fast in pursue of star Hopro, making a spiraled persecution that was now three billion years long. Wonderful planet! I see no man made satellite lurking around.- Mr. Lorton Kutterbrunner said. I already scanned the planet and its surroundings. No man made artifacts.Laisa said, from the pilot seat. Wonderful. A whole planet for our own.- Mr. Kutterbrunner said, beaming up, while the spaceship raced through the clouds- all was gone for some moments, and then the veil lifted and they could saw an ocean stretching far and beyond. After the darkness of space, those brilliant colors were breathtaking for every natural being- the Synthetics on board were occupied on their different tasks. Laisa landed where the sea was near to some mountains and the vegetation was exuberant- the temperature was 30~ C at noon. Laisa sent every Synthetic person to secure the area before the Naturals could descend- they find seven big lizards, eight spider nests, two Ouranosaurus and four Oviraptors, all of them were carried or driven away. The area is securing now, Miss Laisa. Do you want us back on the spaceship?- X30 0034 said. Not yet. Stay where you are. We will see if the area is secure during the next few hours.- Laisa said, and turning towards Captain Shilar, she said: The zone is clear of danger, dear- but remember the beasts moves fast in this environ. I remember quite well, and you?- Shilar asked to Mr. Figornio Pervoluto, who was seated next to his place. Vividly!- Mr. Pervoluto said, while Mr. Askalet Inoculo just only grunted something between his lips. They descended together with the others of that Safari for Tycoons: fifteen of them, with their ladies. Mr. Lorton Kutterbrunner takes his E-woman for a walk, and soon they were out of sight. Shilar called on Laisa, saying: Mr. Kutterbrunner is too bold to go where he could be attacked. Guess we must protect better our investment. Dont you worry, dear! I am in radio communication with the E-lady, and the minute something threats them, Ill send my crew there- armed- and they will defend your investment.- Laisa said, laughing. Shilar smiled, but he was also worried- a fast walking Carnosaurs could easily lunched Mr. Kutterbrunner in less time than a man eats his sandwich- but he was not going to be the water-feast of the group. Nice weather, eh, Captain? Guess we must stay here for a couple of days, before risking our hides on a trip through the forest.- Mr. Albert T. Hokes said to him. Yes, of course, Mr. Hokes. We are arriving from a long term on Zero gravity field and our bodies must get accustomed to the gravity of this planet.- Shilar replied. They seat and talked about the weather. Shilar saw Mr. Lorton Kutterbrunner with his fiance Lady Systa Vagabodanga returning from the woods- Mr. Kutterbrunner was smiling and when he finally arrives to the shadow of the space ship, he boasted of what he saw at the forest.

Plenty of animals and insects! Plants of different shapes; I love this country!He said. His fiance, Lady Systa, said: I love the way he is ! Very brave and bold!- And she pat his prominent stomach in a friendly manner. Laisa send her Synthetic personnel to serves them beverages and biscuits, saying to Shilar: We must keep them happy, dear! This is the first of many voyages- if they like this one, they will be our best propagandists!Certainly true, darling!- Shilar said, looking how nice she looked with a silk dress in a soft violet and sandals to match. Thanks you, dear! Hope you are happy with me?- She asked, merrily. Of course, darling!- He said, while some tourists begin to shout- they were looking at a pair of blimps, high on the sky and traversing with the wind. I will be looking them with the holoscreen!- She said, taking him by the hand and guiding him inside the craft. Shilar could see the objects as close as he desires- the people on them resembles humans. Who are they and where are they going?- Shilar asked. I could follow them on a personal flier!- Laisa said, looking at him as requesting permission. Good idea! I will be with you.- Shilar said, walking to the section where the lock was situated- he promptly was putting a personal flier, aided by some crewmember- she was doing likewise. The Efemale gives orders to the crew (by radio): Protect the Naturals! We will be chasing the blimps! Soon they were climbing towards the two blimps that were almost gone in the distance- the personal fliers were very fast in comparison and soon they were at two hundred meters from the alien aerostatic balloons. Laisa approaches more, and the passengers of the nearest blimp were very excited to see her- traveling apparently without any visibly support, except the square bag at her back. The hissing of those people was heard by Shilar, who immediately believe them to be saurian. He also approaches until he was at 20 meters apart from the nest. The green scales over their faces and arms shone under the light of the star. Seem they are inoffensive, dear.- Laisa declared, seeing they were just only staring at them with long nuzzles and green beady eyes. We will be following them all the way! Guess our personal suits can function eternally!- Shilar said, looking how blue the environ was becoming. These personal fliers could work for more than three hundred years, dear! Do not worry about them.- Laisa said. Right.- He said, preparing himself to be traveling for ever Eight hours later, and in a chilling darkness, Shilar said: I dont see those blimps in this darkness! They are descending as the air on those ballons is cooling up fast! They surely will pass the night on the ground.- Laisa said. Very dangerous for them._ Shilar said, trying to see in the darkness. Well see where they land, and return tomorrow! No need to be freezing in this altitude, or trembling on the ground.- Laisa said- soon the blimps were attached to some trees, and their occupants climb to the branches, to pass the night hanging there.

Now we return, dear! I have a clear picture of where they are! Before noon, I am sure; they will not try to ascend.- And taking him by the hand, she return to the spaceship, where they were all waiting for news. They landed! Those blimps could not fly during the chilling hours of the nightso we are going to get back tomorrow morning to them.- Laisa said to the tourists; they soon have a small barbecue, one of the tycoons having killed a medium sized Oviraptors; Laisa takes care of the security of the group, while Shilar went to bed early, so early he awoke and with Laisa returns to the spot where the Saurian were already pumping hot air on their blimps; at noon, they were rising on the air, and following their previous course with determination. The two blimps were attached to each other by a long cord, now the wind was stronger. Shilar looked down- 300 meters below, the forest was green and shining under the rays of the star, their taller trees reaching altitudes of 80 meters high. Anyone not knowing previously about the dinosaur existence would swear it is a vegetarian world. Shilar said. A shouting start from one blimp to the otherLaisa finds out soon enough the reason for that joy- a shining city was touching his feet on a wide river, that turns there its course to the west. The blimps swiftly descended, and Shilar said: Well, we had unveiled a great mystery- here it is where those aeronauts end their treks.- Shilar said. Laisa said: I couldnt begin to face it, dear, but this people, this city, means we are looking at the true owners of this planet. Not dinosaurs, now tree or insects but transient people. The owners seem to be in small numbers, in comparison with the land they own.- Shilar said. Several centuries are missing yet to see them as the landlords. But the laws of our Federation are very clear in relation to this.- Laira said, while Shilar observed the city while flying over it at an altitude of 200 meters. There were big buildings eight stories high, smaller ones by the dozen, and silos- around the city, farmers were working on the fields- crops were there to see. They used dinosaurs to move around and also to pull carts and wagons. He also saw warriors- they appeared a little moment after the balloonists landed and enters the city among people who cheered them. This city certainly is queer. Dinos runs free around it.- Shilar said to Laisa. In some way or other, they tamed them, and are using to move things.- She said, while her clothes fluttered with the wind. They are from the same species- or genus.- Shilar said. Dinosaurs are they all! Mammals had nothing to do, around here.- Laisa said. Well, we are here as mere tourists.- Shilar replied, and landed on a roof; he inspected the tiles- they were of backed earth- red in color. A soft breeze was coming from the river- the sounds of a city were all around him. Lets see their reactions.- Shilar said, descending to the street- only a dinosaur drawing a cart with some people driving it. Watermelons.- Laisa said, pointing to the cargo. Wish you could grab one.- Shilar said, smiling. Laisa climbed swiftly by the rear of the cart and grabs one of them- seventy centimeters long, and offered him the fruit, saying: Sorry I had no cutlery to offer you! Never mind! I will search for a knife!- He smiled and produced his penknife, an utensil he loves to wear at all times.

While he was eating, she said: Sorry to interrupt you, dear, but a garrison is on our way! Shilar saw more than forty warriors running towards them by the street. He grab his personal flier and raise on the air following Laisa, who was already climbing; they fly rather fast until they saw the familiar contours of the spaceship. Shilar told the tourists about the watermelon and the city they just saw. A dinosaur species capable of to build cities! Rather amazing tale. Wish you could carry there, to see by ourselves.- Mr. Albert T. Hokes said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief- he was thinking that the whole affair was just a tale invented to give them the emotion this Safari was lacking. Lucius Contignatio, another tourist, said: A whole city built by intelligent dinosaurs! Which I could be able to see it too! Your desires will be accomplished, Sirs! We have personal fliers for every one of you! In scant minutes, you could fly over that city and see their wonders.Laisa said. They are an organized society.- Shilar said, smiling, and begin preparing personal fliers and weapons for the crew- Laisa said to him: Four Synthetic Assistants could be enough for this trip, dear! They will take care of the tourists involved. Shilar looked at her and said: Guess it could be easier to move our spaceship next to that location! No need to risk their lives in a prolonged flight. Laisa moved the spaceship with all aboard to a point just eight kilometers away from the city. The tourists climb up and followed the leader- that is, Laisa, while four Guardians maintains a circle of protection around them, with LASER rifles on their hands. They landed on a wide roof, near the center of the city; from there they could look in silence at the busy streets below; they didnt pass unnoticed- horns were heard giving the alarm, and a Garrison was sent to challenge them out. As before, the men ascended out of range- some arrows and lances were thrown to them with great skill; but there were no injured people because the range for those primitive weapons were too much. Mr. Albert T. Hoke said: Lets visit another quarter of this city! I assume those warriors could not move as fast as we could. So they landed on another roof, at the south part of the city; they were on a place where chimneys were being used and the smoke was darkening the air with its fumes. The tourists walked over the roof and find several artifacts that they collected as trophies- utensils and decorations the roof had to be seen from the street- Mr. Lucius Contignatio said: It is amazing to see a dinosaur society, so similar to the ones of our ancestors. From that roof they descended on a very desolate square, and walked among the shrubs and water pools the dinosaur people had located there. Some dinosaur people were on the look out, so soon they heard the horns again, giving the alarm. Mr. Lucius Contignatio pretends to talk to a small dinosaur child, but the brat was not to be contacted, and bellowed hard; this prompt to some female dinosaurs to move against the tourists; three Synthetic persons defends them

while they take off from the ground, maiming three of those creatures on their legs with the LASER beams. While on the air, the Synthetic Assistants were carrying the weight of those trophies the Naturals had captured from the roofs. At the spaceship, Laisa said: We are in safety here, in case you want to visit the city again tomorrow, we could stay in this place. They all agreed- the vision of so many intelligent beings at work makes them wanting for more. But soon they were surrounded by warriors mounted on big dinosaurs (Alamosaurus), and if not because the force field was on, the hull could had been damaged for sure. Those warriors made the beast ram the force field several times until they realize their efforts were in vain. Shilar said: One of those blows must be dangerous for our machine- we better leave right now. We could raise our force field as to repel them ten meters away.- She offered. Do it.- Shilar decided, so each time a dinosaur approaches the force field, it was repelled ten meters away, sometimes toppling the beast to the floor, much to the damage of their riders. The night fell over the city and the surrounding areas; Laisa let the outside lights on all night long; the spaceship glows under the force field as a costly emerald. The awed dinosaur people stared unblinkingly at the eerier sight. We are recording them, dear! Perhaps our videos could serves our tourists to boast about this trip.- Laisa said. As you wish.- Shilar said, not at all calm with the dinosaur in sight. Mr. Lorton Kutterbrunner approaches and said: I know that the force field is mighty powerful, but if something prevents its work, those brutes could smash our spaceship in no time. I guess that if you dont move this vehicle out of their way, I will have a nightmare. Dont you worry, sir! Ill stand at attention all night long.- Laisa said. Thats better. Are you video recording them? Perhaps I will ask you for a copy myself.- Mr. Kutterbrunner said. I will be glad to provide you with a copy, Sir! There will be memory pills of this and other adventures we could have in the future, for you to carry home.Shilar said. Wonderful safari!- Mr. Kutterbrunner said, going out of the cabin. Shilar told Laisa: I will be going to bed myself, darling! See you in the morning. Laisa smiled tenderly and kissed him good night- for her, physical exhaustion didnt exist at all. Hours later, Laisa raise the spaceship on the air and traveled along the coast, landing in a secure bay- she sent four crew members out, with orders of to clean their landing site of any danger. When the tourists awake, she sent them notice that that days breakfast was going to be served on a tent, outside the spaceship. Several of them went to the main cabin, to complain of such an dangerous offer thinking that they were still surrounded by the enemy- but Laisa laughed and show them the site through the holographic machine, for they relief. Fine spot! Are there any dinosaurs in sight?- Mr. Lucius Contignatio said, when going out of the lock.

None whatsoever, sir! The place is secure; also we are eighty kilometers away from the dinosaur city.- An Assistant told him, while helping him descend to the ground by the ramp. Laisa approaches the tourists, who were already having their breakfast inside the tent, and said: we move the spaceship not to worry you with the sight of those warriors on the rampage! That was not too good for your nerves, but as I said in that occasion, the danger of some damage to our ship was almost none. Mr. Marlo Edissero looked at the waves and said: Certainly true, Madam! Perhaps we could swim on this beach some time later? Please make sure there are not dangerous creatures below that surface. All right, I will send a pair of Assistants to make sure there is no dangerous creatures lurking there.- Laisa said, smiling broadly. The Synthetic humanoids Plastic AA806 542 830 and JG model, serial number AJ65 , who was very similar to a human being, and like a male, by the name of Gusgaf, where the ones assigned to do the job, as the rest of the crew was metallic on their appearance and prone to be damaged by the salty waters. They find Prymnetes , Pseudoberyx ,Pycnosterinx ,Pycnosteroides,Ramallichthys ,Rankinian,Salminops ,Sardinius ,Scombroclupea ,Sedenhorstia ,Spathiurus ,Sphathiurus ,Stichoberyx ,and Stichocentrus. All of them were dangerous in their own kind; the most dangerous was Sedenhorstia, with 333 sharpened teeth to bite; they were neutralized by making them sleep with strong lethargic liquids spilled on the sea. When Mr. Marlo Edissero appears with his bathing suit on, Laisa said to him: Sorry to tell you, Sir, but there are several dangerous fish on this section of coast; you cannot go deep into the waters. But perhaps I could bathe my legs in it?- Mr. Edissero said, not willing to be shooed away. Of course, Sir! I will be seeing theres no problem where you choose to enter the water.- Laisa said. I hope you do.- Mr. Edissero said, walking to the beach; he enters the water and four Assistants were around his spot, sending no danger could approach, using sound gadgets to make life miserable around them. The vibrations were made to provoke a severe headache to any sea- living creature that could approach. Lucius Contignatio and Joan Meade, her lover, enters the sea next to Mr. Edissero; some other ladies also went inside the warm sea, laughing and being merry. They all played for half an hour and return to the beach to take sun baths (the ladies) and Pina Colada (the men). By the meantime, the Captain was at the engine room, where the chief officer was AB metallic AA806 343 830 and metallic AA806 303 102 his Assistant general. Shilar was looking on the Dylithium crystals, and AB 830 was saying: We have a 12 per cent of resources. Perhaps to dig for Dylithium could be a great economy for you. Of course. But to mine a hill cost lots of money and efforts.You could sell the extra Dylithium you get, Sir. Most planets administrations lack Dylithium crystals and whole fleets rarely moves just because their ships

cant waste in maneuvers that could use energy that could be vital in a war.AB m AA806, 343, 830 said. I will ask Laisa about this theme. Who knows if there is Dylithium in this planet? It could be worth trying- an all out research for the crystals, flying low above the mountains.- Shilar said. You can tell her through me, Sir.- AB 830 offered himself, meaning he could use the radio communication system. I will wait to have her on my presence.- Shilar said, adding: Here I am, seated on a wonderful planet, but also there are innumerable planets waiting to be discovered also. Take one step at a time, Sir! Find Dylithium crystals first, and fly later!- AB 102 said, with metallic voice. You forget I cannot live for ever! Perhaps five hundred years could be seen as a lot of time, but its really nothing compared with the exploration of a handful of planets.- Shilar said. Raise a country or make something memorable!- AB 806 suggested him. Vanity is everywhere! I dont pretend to be a new Washington, a Pedro de Valdivia or a Carrera! I only want to see new worlds. I leave to others that administration tasks.- Shilar said, knowing how hard was to other colonizers the founding of countries- the tale of how Colon was jailed, Pizarro killed, Valdivia victimized by natives and Carrera killed by political enemies was fresh on his memory. Shilar went out of the spaceship and at night the tourists had a barbecue roasting the meat of a Berycopsia fished by the crew and Laisa, who could kill fish not hindered by the First law of robotics. That night, Shilar said to Laisa: I was at the engine room and I chatted with AB 806 and AB 103; they suggested making me a name by founding a city and afterwards a country on a terraformed planet. But really, I dont want that burden on my shoulders. I will fix them for good! They must not suggest anything to a Natural, less to their Boss, without permission!- Laisa said, infuriated. I guess they are entitled to speak freely.- Shilar said. Of course, dear! But I prefer not to give them free speech! I suggest you stick with our original plan: to make this Safari as good as it can be- then we return to civilization, and with their own money, the money they paid for this trip and that they not fully paid you- we buy the crystals we so much need.- Laisa said, meaning the digging was a stupid idea. At the next day, they all went to hunt- Mr. Lucius Contignatio and Mr. Francois Gypsatus went with their females- Miss Joan Meade and Miss Liguria Permoveo. They were using special caliber LASER rifles. They were prone to shoot at any creature that catches their eyes- with scant success- the LASER usually burned hides and produce lots of cries and shouts from the ladies. They also shoot at a Polacanthus who was grazing on an open fieldThe beast run away with scars on his big chest; his bellowing was deep and expressed pain. Shilar looked at Laisa who blinked an eye on his direction, saying: Next time we are going to have a photo safari only! Right.- Shilar said, marveling about his own emotions- to kill for to kill was not his idea when starting the Safari.

Eight kilometers away from the camp, they found a heard of Iguanodon; big enormous animals that spread an odor of transpiration and feces all around them. Filthy animals!- Mr. Albert T. Hokes said, pointing to some mounds of feces full of flies and other dipterous. They eat and they must throw away their waste disposals!- Mr. Francois Gypsatus said, chuckling hard. Laisa permitted them to shoot at a bit old Alamosaurus who was apparently in his final years. With the Tricorder in hand, she said: 220 years old. He could be spared. Mr. Lucius Contignatio and Mr. Albert T. Hokes were the first in taking aim at the beast and shoot some bursts of LASER beams, searing the hide of that wonderful specimen. Shilar saw how the blood spurted from the animal who gives a profound bellowing; startling every member of his heard and making them disappear in scant seconds from that place of horror. The other tourists who could manage a LASER rifle fired at the legs of the creature; soon the dinosaur fall on his stomps, amid Streams of red blood- the heard moves away, and the Electronic people finished the killing by severing the head laboriously. The meat will be storage on the spaceship freezer for further sustenance of the Natural men and women. The hide will be rolled and dehydrated for the tourists. The head will be videoed and photographed fully.- Laisa told to the tourists. That night, the tourists get drunk and around a fire they danced with their beautiful ladies, while Shilar went to bed, sick of their behavior. At 2:00 hours, Laisa arrives to the bedroom and bedded with him, saying: Mr. Hokes refuses to sleep inside our spaceship, dear. The others were almost dragged inside. I guess they are all drunk with their celebration.- Shilar said, embracing her waist. Right! I give orders not to be molested- previously, Mr. Contignatio was insisting on you being present at their feast.- Laisa said. Sorry, but sometimes I am a bit of a hermit.- He said, kissing her lips; she smiled and dimmed the light some more. At the next day, Mr. Hokes said to him: Captain Shilar! I wish to survey the woods on a personal flier, if you dont mind. Mr. Contignatio is going with me, too. Of course, Sir! Only I will appoint some Synthetic Assistants for your safety.Shilar said, looking at Laisa. Laisa said: I will appoint one Electroman to each of you; they will carry a LASER rifle and I expect you to obey them in any case. You have my word.- Mr. Hokes. Shilar was in the lock section and he saw the departure of Mr. Continagnatio and Mr. Hokes plus the two Synthetic humanoids. The rest of the tourists were asleep, tired of the dancing that kept them busy until the morning. Laisa stands at his side, and said: The Synthetic humanoids that go with them are radioing us permanently, so if there is any trouble they will ask for help, if they cannot handle themselves. Shilar said: Well, guess we must not be too troubled because of them; they will not go into deep waters.

There were two tents and he walked inside one of them, where he found several tables and some half consumed meals on plates. Shilar takes a drink from a bottle and Laisa said: I will make them clean this mess right away!, while looking at some food and garments on the ground, and a vomit on a corner of the tent. Shilar said: We have two more months of this. They hire us for a long time and I am already thinking it was a mistake. She places a hand on his right arm and said: my love, you must realize we are there not only to get some money but also to live our romance. I love you and I didnt want this to happen. Shilar kissed her tender lips sensing the fire that was in her, and said: You certainly are the best of this voyage. She hugged him and said: you are also my best occurrence in life. Pity we are going to suffer because I must return to my master in fifteen more days. Shilar looked at her in amazement and said: But we must remain here for two more months! And we have only one spaceship to travel! You cannot leave me here without my spaceship and you cannot leave this place without the vehicle. Yes, dear, I am well aware of this problem. The solution for you is to let me go with three crewmembers; they will get back here as soon as they delivered me on Mars.- She said. Not acceptable! I will keep you for ever in my 158 Possession!- He said. Not computable, dear. They own me, and the Organization did not sell their Synthetic personnel. They destroy them when obsolete.- Laisa said. And what other course of action could it be, darling? To escape with you eternally among the stars? Shilar asked her. Perhaps if you return and work for them, they could be assigning me to your crew.- Laisa said. You mean- to work for them again? I already am powerful with the money I earned! I dont need them any more.- He said. Mr. Zariguen is fond of you; perhaps he will make ends meet, and we could prolong our romance some more time.- Laisa said, kissing him. In that moment, a radio message was heard: Mr. Lucius Contignatio was out on the woods, and firing at a Coelophysis. Its dangerous! Because those animals hunt in packs!- Laisa said, startled. He sent several crew members to protect the imprudent tourist; but when they arrive, several Coelophysis were already dead, and some more were attacking Mr. Contignatio; when he saw them coming, he said: Good you come here! Help me with this mob! Shilar fired to the rest of the pack; only one of them escaped, and Mr. Contignatio said, moping his brow with transpiration: Good Jove! I was in for a trouble! Did you want this Coelophysis on taxidermy? Or do you prefer them cooked?Laisa said, touching the nearest of them with her boot. I prefer to lunch the beasts! Too small to boast on their hides!- Contignatio said, smiling- he was recovering from the surprise. They have meat for four days; Shilar was thinking on the dinosaur people every day, so he said to Laisa: I wonder how those guys at the city are! I will go there to peek!

Sorry I cannot go with you right now, dear! I want to take care of these tourists as they are going to hunt again at the forest! But you can go with a pair of Synthetic Assistants; Ill send them to you right away.- Laisa said, smiling gently. Of course, darling. Tourists are the first option around here.- Shilar said, thinking the Ewoman was more interested in to give a good service to those tycoons than to be with him. He rise on the air, followed by the two appointed Assistants; at least, they were the best Laisa could afford to borrow: Plastic AA806 542 830 and JG model, serial number AJ65 , that was similar to a human being, a male and his name was Gusgaf. Gusgaf said: Sir, I want to guide you there; I know you have a good locator, but dont bother with it. Yes, you guide.- Shilar said, looking how two big Pteranosaurs were gliding 200 meters up and to the north. Those dinosaurs had good sight, and sensing they were smaller than them, and also mammals, they didnt think it twice, because they beguine to move their wings frantically in their direction. Rise with us, Sir! Those pesky animals cannot climb too high.- Gusgaf said, yelling unto the air. Right.- He said, and they begin to climb at 30 kilometers per hour; soon the Pteranosaurs were around them, and climbing as easily as a balloon replenished with helium. Fire!- Shilar said, taking from his holster the small gun capable of to fire LASER beams the width of a finger- he seared the wing of the nearer Pteranosaurs, making the air stink with a burnt leather smell. The other Pteranosaurs grabs the ankle of Plastic 830, unbalancing him and both grappled in a furious fight, loose altitude and disappear into the woods. Faster!- Shilar said, looking how the Pteranosaurs grabbed Gusgafs head into his beak; the Assistant takes hold of the leathery neck and crushed it into his hands; soon the Pteranosaurs crashed into the ground, not letting Gusgafs head get loose, so they both ends immobile on the ground. Guess I lost my Assistants! No way I could reverse this situation without help! But also, I am sensing a note of anguish in my mind- I must see what is happening to those saurians at the city!- Shilar said, and gaining speed, he arrives to the city near the river in twenty minutes. What he saw makes him open his eyes and mouth in astonishment: the city was under siege! Lots of grey and brown creatures were trying to climb those walls and get inside the city- from the towers, the saurian were throwing stones and burning oil to the assaulting mob. He made a tour around the city; from two points the assaulting enemy was striking hard: from the south and east; the east being the rivers side- a whole navy was anchored in front of the docking yards and many a building was on fire; the walls at that site were smaller and the entrance to the city, guarded by iron fences, were almost overrun. Shilar was seeing by the Saurian, and many a warrior throws some arrows in his direction; they fell short as he was 200 meters away. From a tower a big Saurian appear, wearing iron coat of mail- some other saurian appear after him, looking at the sky for more flying creatures; not seeing any other, the big saurian made a gesture- meaning he descend to his position on that terrace. He

went down, and stands on the opposite side- only fifteen meters were among him and those Saurians armed to the teeth. The bigger Saurian speak to him in an indecipherable language, made of whistling; Shilar replied in Interlingua, knowing it will be out of the question to communicate in that way; the saurian roared and nobody understand the language. Shilar takes his LASER gun on his right hand, and fly to the nearest point of combat, firing against the assailants; many of them fell to the ground, screaming in pain; the big saurian was looking intently, and when Shilar returns to the platform, he was happy, as he hissed more than before. Shilar walks near him and handled the LASER piston in the great paw of that big Saurian, and then he retreat in the air; the saurian pointed to the far corner of the platform and fired- a corner disappear in a smoke of rubble. With it in his hand, the Saurian walked where the battle was the fiercest, and begin to use it with wonderful results; many of the enemy bodies finds their end at the foot of that wall; the LASER pistol being used for three hours makes them retreat and the Saurian hailed the hero of the day: the big armed saurian. Shilar didnt wait to see the result; he just returns to the camp and told Laisa where to send his Assistants to recover the remains of those two Electromen; she said: I knew it was very dangerous for you to go there! Next time you better think it twice, before going out to fly for yourself! Of course, darling! - He said, going to bed, as he was tired to be flying alone. CHAPTER 13 The Spinosaurus Aegypticus. At the next day, Shilar awoke and Laisa was not there- with the tourists, she had managed to travel in another hunting trip, leaving the premises at dawn. Laisa guided them through a ravine surrounded by trees; two scouts were walking ahead of them, when a Spinosaurus Aegypticus appeared from behind a rocky formation; the Tourists begin shouting and firing at will. Kill the beast!- Lucius Contignatio said, firing his rifle- the ray, of a violent red, hit the side of the beast, making it move his legs to the right; his tail hits Lady Joan Meade, who was sent high and beyond some shrubs at his left; then Marlo Edissero hit an eye of the beast, and Laisa said: Very well, Sir! You maimed his vision! Now center your firing to the other eye! Miss Triginta Lucrifuga cried and run away, followed by Francois Gypsatus and his lady, Liguria Permoveo. The two scouts appears from the other side, and fired their weapons against the Spinosaurus, that moved his legs as swiftly as he can, stomping on them in seconds; also Miss Cornelie Borginton and Miss Makra Surongo finds a terrible death, when that terrible jaw closed on them both; a river of blood spurts out, bathing Miss Hellie Astaranoza, whose yelling was cut in two together with his head and shoulders; the remains fall into the ground, but was also sucked in by the Spinosaurus in a swift movement. The red blood of the dinosaur was being also spilled to the ground; numerous wounds were there to be seen, caused by the LASER beams Miss Laisa and Lorton Kutterbrunner were incessantly firing; this time the Spinosaurus walked on them, smashing their bodies as it were marshmallows. Miss Systa

Vagabodonga saw how the body of Kutterbrunner was being smashed to bits on the big mouth and fainted to the ground. Albert T. Hokes, seeing he was alone with Fedra Cocabona, grabs her by the hand, saying: We are doomed! Lets get out of here! But his running was cut short as the Spinosaurus, capable of to run up to fifty kilometers per hour, outrun them and eat them in less than four seconds. One of the Synthetic Humanoids was capable of to send a message to the spaceship, telling some of the occurrences- later, the malfunction of his body ends the transmission suddenly. Shilar takes a cup of coffee and biscuits at the mess hall; the table produced the beverage in its center, and an Assistant appears at the side of the table, saying: Sir, I ad some bad news to tell you. What?- Shilar said, taking his coffee- he imagined some malfunction on the engines. The tourist expedition is in grave danger; they were attacked by a Spinosaurus. Dont tell me! Could they not choose some other smaller target? Certainly yes, Sir. But things happen. Right. Well, you take the entire crewmembers available, take a big LASER cannon and go there on the double! Do you know where they are?- Shilar asked him. Exact position, yes, Sir.- The Assistant said, but didnt move. What are you waiting here? Call the others and go there!- Shilar ordered, standing up, and spilling the rest of the coffee on the table by accident. You see, Sir, I am the last Assistant you got here- the rest departed two hours ago to that site.- The Electro man said. And what happened to them? Smashed to the ground by the big Spinosaurus, Sir. They exist no more. And the tourists? In this minute the last one is trying to run, Sir, but a branch is on his legs- easy prey for the dinosaur. What? They descended from the tree, or fall down? Fall down, Sir. Now the last tourist is being eaten, Sir. No need you go there now. And Laisa?- Shilar asked, reeling somewhat. She was the third person to be hit by that creature, Sir. She was very brave until the end.- The Assistant said. Condemnation!- Shilar said, walking to the main deck; among the controls, he said: Guess I am alone on this planet, now. He traveled with the Plastic AA806 542 830 to the site- the tree was badly damaged, and lots of branches with leaves were all around- pieces of mechanic artifacts and plastic entrails could be seen hanging from some branches; dark stains were what was left of the tourists. I can search for hard disks, Sir. Half her ego was pure electricity on the reflection of some crystals. Well, half a Laisa will be better than none. Search for her, primarily.- Shilar asked, and while 830 was on that work, he observed the footprints of that great creature on the ground, almost two meters long, and with a with of a meter and a half. The size of the brute was really tantalizing.

Suddenly, all small creatures from the vicinity stops to chirp or growl- Shilar knew something big was coming, so he ascended swiftly on the air, and stops at forty meters high; hovering over the terrain, he said: Assistant! Something dangerous is nearing! Fly over here! From a couple of bushes, the 830 appears, with several artifacts on his hands, and swiftly ascended- almost bitten, as the Spinosaurus appears suddenly while trying to bite the right leg of the Synthetic person. Wow! You saved yourself at the final moment!- Shilar told him. Thanks for your advice, Sir. I really appreciate it. Did you find what I want? Yes, Sir, and two other Hard Disks are recovered- crystals are not- once the energy that kept them working is ended, their usefulness is almost nil. Disposable elements! - Shilar growled, thinking why the engineers didnt find a way to save the entire personality of a smashed Synthetic in one piece. Yes, I could take a copy of Miss Laisas memory, for you to see in any console, if you want, Sir.- The Assistant offered. Do it.- Shilar said, gloomily. Four days he was mourning the dead; he also saw the final moments by the hard disks information procedures; AA 830 was very useful in every way, and Shilar relied on him in technical affairs; thats why he said, at the end of his mourning: Lets pay a visit to the Saurian people- I am sure they hadnt forget my help in their moment of peril. Yes, Sir. There is a place where we stay the last time we had the full crew on board- I can set up the force field, also. All right, lets go there- its sixteen oclock, so we have time to spare until some delegation comes to us.- Shilar said. Or a garrison, like in the precedent occasion.- AA 830 said, not without some humor. Shilar seats at the controls, while AA 830 was on the engine room- soon they were hovering over the city, projecting the big dark shadow on their principal towers, until everyone knew they were around. Shilar descended on the same spot he knew best, and soon a lot of citizens and mounted people arrives there- this time, with a lot of hissing and throwing flowers instead of arrows or lances; Shilar was outside the spaceship, with AA 830 at his side- the force field in place, they could see the people only a bit blurred; then a carriage appears, and from it the big saurian descended, using the same coat of arms than before; he was there standing in front of the vessel, with the force field between him and the Natural man and his Assistant. Shilar said; Take the force field down; I will invite him in, but the moment he is inside our precinct, you put the force field in place again- I dont trust too much in gratitude. Yes, Sir.- AA 830 said, and the force field disappears; the big saurian was invited by Shilar (he waved in) and when he gives some steps, the force field was replaced again. Dont worry! I invite you to my spaceship- come!- Shilar said, after some bowing they made to each other; the Saurian walked inside the ship without any fear; Shilar makes him seat at the Mess hall, with AA 830 on the ready, but not using any weapon; the Saurian seats with some difficulty in the (for him) small chair, and produce the same LASER pistol Shilar gives him. He hissed some words, and handled the weapon to Shilar, who takes it out of fear the saurian could change his mind and vaporizes him with a shot.

Shilar makes the Assistant projects parts of the battle, recorded while in flight, and the Saurian hissed several times, astounded to see what was already on his past. Later, Shilar offered him some vegetable juice, and with gestures, he indicated he was alone, and also projected on the holographic visor the last scenes on the jungle, where the whole lot of Naturals and Synthetic persons were smashed to bits by the terrible Spinosaurus. The Saurian hissed again, and moved his hands as in sorrow, then he make signs to him, inviting Shilar to be a guest on his city. Then the Assistant said: I am trying to adapt his language to our own, Sir, with some success; he is inviting you to his city. I got that already.- Shilar said, not because he understands the hissing, but the gestures of the Saurian. Very well, Sir, then are you accepting? My counsel is that you could go there and stay for a couple of days only- we dont know the ways of this city.- AA 830 said. Right! You stay here: I will carry my gun and nothing else; give me a radio communicator, in order to send you messages if I wish so.- Shilar said, and he received a small gadget, to be carried on the neck with a leather belt. When both, human and Saurian, appears from the Spaceship, the crowd cheered them with hissing sounds; then the Force Field was down, and they walked to the carriage- climbing, they were brought to the city entrance by a Diplodocus, and inside a very high castle, the Saurian presents its Court, while seated on a richly decorated armchair. By the radio, the Assistant, who could hear the hissing as well as any other message Shilar could want to sent him, said: They are presenting you to the Court, Sir. Bow after each hissing- its the custom. Right.- Shilar said, moving his head in the known way. Sometime later, the Assistant said: I dont know if you realize, Sir, that you are in the presence of His majesty the King Gorishish! He is the ruler of the city. Good to know it. Pity I cannot talk with them.- Shilar said. Give me time, Sir, and you will! I could talk to them if you use the amplificatory system! Perhaps I could say some phrases already = just touch the middle of the belt, where the transmitter is.- The Assistant said, and it was so that the Saurian begin to understand Shilar ways a little better- he was given two guards and a huge room on the castle- the King Gorishish appointed him as a Savior, and gives him the title of Count. Shilar spent four days in the castle, receiving honors and attending endless meals, where everyone was eating and hissing at hearts content- the King usually have him near his seat, and addressed him very often. When he departed, the King Gorishish sent him on his personal Carriage, while the same Diplodocus was moving the vehicle at 20 kilometers per hour; the Assistant receives him, and the crowd cheered him until he was inside the Spaceship. The Assistant said: I know all the words of this language now, Sir. If you wish, I could present you a general view of the situation they are living now. I guess you are able to do so; but let me sleep some hours on my comfortable bed now.- Shilar said, going to his cabin with weary steps- he was tired to be attending festivities and making bows to whichever addressed him on the court of King Gorishish.

Chapter 14 Rat City. Two days later, Shilar said: We should visit the enemy country, and see why they attacked the intelligent saurian. They must have a reason, or a need to satisfy. Certainly they have, Sir. I will scan the Saurian city surrounding area to find the tracks- only they appear to have used ships to travel.- The Assistant 830 said. Ships, I saw them myself. We could travel above the coast- signs must be present, if we look well.- Shilar said. I am sure of that, Sir. Do you want to lift the ship right away?- The Assistant asked him. Yes, move the spaceship- Ill be seated on my captains place.- Shilar said, smiling- he was also sad because so many people had died while on the Safari, but he was aware the sadness could lead him to suicide, and that was the last thing he wants for himself. On the air, the Saurian city was a jewel under the sun; the sea was shining near by and the scanners working- the Assistant said: I have some readings, Sir. We could follow the course of that Armada from here. How? Small objects and waste disposal still lingers on the sea- those mammals believe the sea is a sewer and used it as that. But it is not, and the cleansing takes a lot of time to act.- The Assistant lectured him. I saw them once- but I am not sure of what I saw. Do you have some record of them? While on battle, I mean- must be more than one sequence on those films.- Shilar asked. Yes, Sir, but let me remind you we are on the air- please wait until we are grounded.- The Assistant said. Soon they saw a river, and the indications shows the river was being used by people on small boats; they descended until they were at 200 meters, and saw them: mammals, like rats, rowing or using the sails to travel by the current; some of them were already signaling them on the sky. They arent nice looking.- Shilar said, smiling worriedly. Eight kilometers inland, they saw several big holes on the ground- roads that were visible from the air, get inside the holes with people and vehicles moving in and out of the holes. They certainly lives inside the holes, Sir. Look: the vehicles are not only dinosaur-drawn but also they are using steam engines! Look the metallic contraptions!- AA 830 said. Certainly these guys are well ahead of the Saurian, that didnt know what a steam engine is! Let us see if we are welcome here.- Shilar said, and they hovered over the entrances for two hours, but not a sign of enmity was shown; people look at them but keep on working just the same. Guess this people didnt see us like a threat.- Shilar said. They didnt know you were helping their enemy.- AA 830 said. I help them because I didnt like people invading countries no matter the reason they have. Countries should act as neighbors and not as enemies, no matter if they are not of the same species.- Shilar said.

Well, Sir, you already met the Saurian- seems good people, or you will be not here talking with me. I was very worried you end up on a steaming pot.- AA 830 said. Very funny. I will send you this time- I dont want to imagine what a rat could do to me.- Shilar said. No matter if I dont return, Sir? I guess you cannot man this spaceship alone through the stars. No pun intended, Sir.- 830 said. Yeah, I know you are indispensable. Lets see, you can try to talk to some peasant- no need you get inside the nest.- Shilar said. I assume that is a very safe thing to do, Sir. Especially if I carry my rifle.- 830 said. Yes, carry your weapons! And using a personal flier could be a good idea, too.- Shilar said. I can fly from this spaceship while it is hovering, Sir. I just open a lock and down I go.- 830 said. Very good- lets put an end to the whole trip: half an hour this first time.- Shilar said. Yes, Sir. Well, wish me luck.- 830 said, departing, while Shilar laughed: 830 had a good sense of humor, after all. He doesnt know the Synthetic person was aware he feel the lack of human company (mammal style) and he was trying to enliven life in some way. The spot he landed was the road- a dinosaur cart was arriving to the spot, and the driver was a huge rat, which sniffed the air, sensing the burnt smell every personal flier gives while in use; 830 saluted him and walked alongside the cart, that was carrying carrots. The rat did talked, make sounds and the chat was being recorded- 830 realize it was enough after twenty minutes of it, and finds another place, where three rats were tending the field- the rats talked very rapidly, and showing no mercy, they try to shoo him away, using the utensils they were on their hands. 830 defends himself by using the LASER beam, a thing that terrorized the rats, that forgets all composure and run away like the wind, but leaving behind their talking, who was recorded by the Synthetic humanoid. 830 returns to the spaceship in time, and Shilar said: I saw you talking with those people- why do you use the LASER beam? They will be frightened of us, from now on. Dont you worry, Sir! I didnt maim a single rat.- 830 said. And what do you get from them?- Shilar said. I know something about their grammar now- but this takes some time, Sir. I must have more encounters, to get the feeling of their tongue.- 830 said. Right. Ill go to sleep now, you must find a nice place- a secure place- where to pass the night.- Shilar said. Dont you worry, Sir. Ill take the night watch this time, and Ill move the spaceship if its necessary.- 830 said, saluting. Shilar went to his cabin, takes a shower and goes to bed- he was feeling tired and lonesome. In the morning, after his coffee and biscuits, Shilar went to the main cabin, where AA 830 was standing in attention. Good day! I see we are at the same spot- what happen with my order to find a secure place?- Shilar asked.

I find it secure in here, Sir. No need to move the spaceship, if you are going to keep an eye on those rats.- AA 830 said without moving from his place, near the main console. I see some commotion down there- what are they doing?- Shilar asked, as the holographic monitor was set on the main entrance to the caves. Some procession or other, sir. Do you want enhancement of the situation?AA 830 asked him. Yes, by all means. Lets see what they are performing.- Shilar said, looking in an attentive way. The procession has several wounded rats, and some warriors were around the carts who had them on stretchers- they walked to a hill, where stone circles were set from old; once they lay the injured on the encircled ring, they begin to replenish the whole place with bushes and rags, until they were all almost covered with it; from the cave appears several torch bearers, and when at the site, they throw the torches inside and the bushes catches fire together with the rags and shavings, and soon the prisoners were set in the middle of a little inferno. Remarkable way to dispose of the severed injured men; a little too harsh for my taste.- Shilar said. Their medical science must be in the beginnings, Sir.- AA 830 said. Certainly so. - Shilar said, while the smoke ascended in the air; the people was only looking until there was nothing to see; the stretchers and their occupants were gone in smoke after some three hours of brim and fire. Shilar moves the spaceship to see how they tend the land; they had herds of Coelophysis and used the Paracephalopus just to obtain the eggs and butchered them when old; Shilar stayed hovering around for a week, and the video cameras takes films of it all. AA 830 descended five times to try to learn the language- he finds an old ratlike creature on a hill, tending a heard of Polacanthus; the rat-man was very helpful and because of it, the Synthetic person could learn the language, ask a few questions, and told Shilar all about them- of course, seen by the mind of a herdsman. Sir: they are commanded by three different queens, that lies inside the cave; they are producing hundred of new rats every two months; the number of females inside the cave is around the two thousands- one thing they dont need to be worried about its extinction- they attack the Saurian people just because they were wanting to have that city for their own.- AA 830 said. Well, not unlike some mammals from Earth and Knapp.- Shilar replied. They didnt have religions- they think they came from death and goes unto death after a brief living- like ants, insects, dinosaurs and what not.- AA 830 said. Well, guess they are smarter than millions of primates I know of.- Shilar said, smiling. You mean your own species, Sir?- AA 830 asked. Of course- man came from nowhere and goes nowhere- his entire life is a struggle to grasp the meaning of life.- Shilar said. From the main entrance, dozens of newborns come out walking and being herded by a couple of she-rats, that guided them to the river, where they were bathed and cleansed of bugs, by the way the female rats bits their bodies here and there. Other groups come out too, and soon that side of the river was

teaming with smaller rats; before dusk, they all goes inside the cave, in the same order that they went out. Warriors were posted in front of the roads, and the night fell over the city of rats. That night they saw fires to the west, and Shilar said: Curious! Who could be making fires at night? Perhaps saurian people, sir. They have the habit of to let fires burning all nightremember their city.- AA 830 said. Well visit those fires now! Move the spaceship closer.- Shilar said, and soon they were hovering at 300 meters from the ground- it was a rocky formation, and fires spurts and die lasting just two seconds each time; AA 830 set the night vision system on, and they saw there were big dinosaurs, that belched fire. The old dragon lore! They did exist, after all.- Shilar said, smiling. The old methane gas in use, Sir; they lit the methane on their throats and thats the fire we see. Pretty showing- guess its make to attract the female of the species.- AA 830 said. Using the night vision system, they realize it was so: the smaller dragons were the males, and the big throwing fire dragons were the females- as in the realm of the insects and others, the female was the bigger of the two. The smaller dragons fight to impregnate the wanting females, and very few were the ones that succeed in those fierce battles for the existence of the species. They must be in the mating season.- Shilar said, while the scenes were recorded for further notice. CHAPTER 15. CAPTAIN SARCINA. A sound startled him, and looking at AA 830, he said: whats happening? They are hailing us, Sir- Spaceship incoming.- AA 830 said, and in the screen the call was received- a female was in front of the camera, saying: I am the Captain Sarcina from the Starfleet Command from the Federation of Planets on a exploratory mission. Please acknowledge. I am Captain Shilar, from Knapp, in a tour.- Shilar said, swallowing hard- in fact, his travel to the planet was a tour that failed in the worst manner. Please authorize me to visit your spaceship, Captain Shilar! It has been several months of travel without seen a new face.- Captain Sarcina said. Of course, Captain Sarcina! Ill be glad to receive you.- Shilar said, and ends the conversation; he told AA 830: Go to the lock and wait for those visits. AB 830 gives two steps in that direction, when they saw three lights became silhouettes and then three persons were with them, not with special suits but with uniforms made of fabric. Wow! I wonder which miracle of science we are witnessing here!- Shilar said, astounded. Sorry if we scared you, Captain! But this is a new device, the Beam Up system. These are my Assistants: Second Officer Tirk Rornfern and Second Engineer Shing Furiong.- Captain Sarcina said, smiling- she was blonde and with green eyes, and Shilar calculates her as having forty years and with not a gram of fat. They exchange the salute a handshake- the other persons were a black man and a Chinese not 1.70 meters high, with traitor eyes.

Well, this takes me by surprise! A fine dame and a wonderful invention!- Shilar said, admiring her face openly. She look at the floor, and smiling she said: I wonder how you dont know this transfer system! Certainly I knew about this, but not seen one!- Shilar said. Thats better! Well, you are invited to my spaceship, any time! I am sure you will find this new system very comfortable.- Captain Sarcina said, looking at AA 830. I present my only Assistant: He is Plastic AA806 542 830 .- Shilar said, and Captain Sarcina said: We come from Earth- our mission is to explore distant worlds and makes them belong to the Federation- this one is already in our files, but a through exploration has never been donned. Be my guest! I already visited the planet, and its a dangerous one.- Shilar replied, looking at the woman, who was beautiful but very severe in her behavior towards the rest. I would gladly accept any indications you may have, Captain Shilar! What do you saw of interest on the planet?- She asked him. A city made by rat humanoids; very interesting. Ill give you the coordinates and I will accompany you, now I am devoid of tourists.- Shilar said, wanting to have more contact with real people. At the forest near the rat city, some people from the starship begin to take samples, recording in films and photograph the different species available there- also, they take blood samples from dinosaurs, using flying devices the size of a pencil. More was performed in an hour of work than a week with the old fashioned ways. The Captain Sarcina said: I wonder which motivation had the rat people to build a civilization. The basic instinct, I guess.- Shilar replied. Yes, but going deeper than that, I am sure we could find some more.- Sarcina said, and sent two morph Synthetic persons into the cave- a perfect replica they were of the sentient rats. They will receive every sound and what the eyes could see- and recorded it all for further studies. I am sure the language will be deciphered in the next quarter of hour.- Captain Sarcina said. Amazing.- Shilar said. Tell me about Knapp- I know where it is, but I had never been there.- Captain Sarcina asked. Its on the Second Brana, of course- there is a monarchy organizing and administering everything- Earth people had founded a city: Rixiaberg, with a populace of eight million.- Shilar recited. I heard the first king of Rixiaberg was a Earthman.- Sarcina said. Yes, Captain Sarcina, but as of now, it all belongs to the kingdom of Oredloro- I come myself from Oredloro- not a drop of blood from Earthiness is on my veins.- Shilar said. Sarcina smiled and said: Not a blood, eh? But Knappian are so close related to Earthmen that could interbreed without problems with us. Thats correct.- Shilar said, adding: From here, what are you going to explore next? The rest of the planets? Yes, Captain Shilar: this is the fourth we had visited- only three more to go- but I assure you, a day in here has more to see than a dozen in the desolate planets, where all the things you could visit are mountains and chasms.-

Captain Sarcina said. We think it is the only Terraformed planet on this planetary system as well than in eight others we had visited yet- a terraformed planet is not the common thing, you know. Yes, I saw the other planets in my way here- pure rock or gas.- Shilar said, proudly. Tell me, are you going to return to the civilization, or the loss of your clients disturbs you? That is why you are still rummaging around this planet in particular?- Captain Sarcina asked, now going into more personal matters. I lost my crew and clients in one day! Ill be interrogated and perhaps I loose my permission to carry people aboard spaceships.- Captain Shilar said, with profound voice. They were on the main cabin of the Starship, where ten other persons were working at the several commanding posts. Not only they could see up to the ground of the planet, but also to the stars that were above their heads, no matter if it was broad daylight. I offer you the opportunity of to be with us on the exploration of this planetary system- I am sure it will be more than one curiosity to be found.- Sarcina warmly said. I accept! To be in your company makes me feel a lot better.- He said, thankfully. Sarcina show him a lot of animals and plants already indexed- Shilar was real glad to see many a known member of the planet, especially the Spinosaurus Aegypticus of so terrible a memory, in frozen pictures. One of the scouts returns- with a full inform about the Rat people- many newborns were sick, and the medical knowledge of the species were incapable to control the epidemic. Sarcina said: We can be of help! Find out everything about the infection.- She commanded to the Doctor in chief of the expedition. In hours not only the disease was fully known but also an antidote was prepared. A yellow flask was deposited in front of Captain Sarcina by Mr. Argofende, the medical in Chief, with these words: Here is the remedy, Captain Sarcina! You can send it whenever you want must be inoculated by way of injection only. She replied: A hindrance our Agents must resolve in the best of manners! I doubt this rat people want them to walk around their infants with a needle on their hands. Four crew members, in disguise of rats, appears in front of them, much to the surprise of Captain Shilar, who had Never seen a native rat in person so close to him- a meter with forty centimeters long, forty eight kilos of weight, brown haired and with brown beady eyes, the specimens takes the orders from Captain Sarcina and departed immediately, carrying several liters of the medicine on several syringes. Wish them luck! They will spare the death of several thousand of lives.Captain Sarcina said to Shilar, who helped kill more than a hundred rat warriors himself I wonder if they could pass unnoticed.- Shilar murmured. They will certainly pass unnoticed! They have the same smell! Lets go to the forest! Theres a team there hailing me- they found something curious to show.- Sarcina said, taking him by the hand- this unprecedented gesture takes Shilar off balance and gives him hopes on their romantic quest- they voyaged down to the surface of the planet on a spherical ship thirty meters wide, manned by two Synthetic Astronauts, plus seven guards armed with LASER rifles.

I have an Assistant but perhaps not quite as yours- he is incapable of to kill a rodent!- Shilar said from his seat. Sarcina looked at him and said; This belongs to the Starfleet command! They are not butchers, they will do as little harm as they could, but if its not remedy but to kill, kill theyll do. Nice solution.- Shilar said, looking at her face, that he was already adoring At the ground, they were shown an egg camp, more than seven hundred eggs belonging to Paracephalosaur, and also to Pachyrhinosaurus as well as to Panoplosaurus. The eggs were set on round nests made of dirt, each nest containing but three eggs each. Captain Sarcina shows him a small tablet where the names of each species appears, together with the images; this are the names: PACHYCEPHALOSAURUS Translation: Thick-headed Lizard Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Bipedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Marginocephalia Infraorder: Pachycephalosauria Family: Pachycephalosauridae Height: 10 feet (3.1 meters) Length: 18 feet (5.5 meters) Weight: 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous PACHYRHINOSAURUS Translation: Thick-nosed Lizard Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Marginocephalia Infraorder: Ceratopsia Micro-order Neoceratopsia Family: Ceratopsidae Height: 11 feet (3.5 meters) Length: 23 feet (7 meters) Weight: 8,000 pounds (3,630 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous PANOPLOSAURUS Translation: (Fully) Armored Lizard Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Thyreophora Infraorder: Ankylosauria

Family: Nodosauridae Height: 7 feet (2.1 meters) Length: 23 feet (7 meters) Weight: 6,000 pounds (2,720 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous PARASAUROLOPHUS Translation: Similar Crested Lizard, or beside Saurolophus Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Bipedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Ornithopoda Infraorder: Iguanodontia Family: Hadrosauridae Height: 16 feet (4.9 meters) Length: 33 feet (10.1 meters) Weight: 6,000 - 8,000 pounds (2,720 - 3,630 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous PARKSOSAURUS Translation: Parks' Lizard Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Bipedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Ornithopoda Family: Hypsilophodontidae Height: 4 feet 1.2 meters) Length: 7 feet (2.1 meters) Weight: 150 pounds (68 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous

PAWPAWSAURUS Translation: Paw Paw (from the eastern Texas Paw Paw rock formation) Lizard Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Thyreophora Infraorder: Ankylosauria Family: Nodosauridae Height: 6 feet (1.8 meters) Length: 20 feet (6.1 meters) Weight: 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg)

Period: Late Cretaceous PENTACERATOPS Translation: Five-horned Face Also Known As: Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal Order: Ornithischia Suborder: Marginocephalia Infraorder: Ceratopsia Micro-order Neoceratopsia Family: Ceratopsidae Height: 11 feet (3.4 meters) Length: 24.6 feet (7.5 meters) Weight: 13,000 pounds (5,897 kg) Period: Late Cretaceous PINACOSAURUS Translation: Broad Lizard Also Known As: Syrmosaurus Description: Herbivore, Quadrupedal Order: Ornithischian Suborder: Thyreophora Infraorder: Ankylosauria Family: Ankylosauridae Height: 4 feet (1.2 meters) Length: 11.5 feet (3.5 meters) Weight: Period: Late Cretaceous Shilar reads it and said: I wonder where the females are! - As he was very nervous, as of his personal 168 Experience, the tamest of species became very aggressive when the hour of to defend its eggs arrives. Dont you worry! They located the females- a quarter of a kilometer away. Tending another egg camp such as this! They come and go at equal intervals, which they use to feed on cycads that abound between both camps!- Captain Sarcina said. The eggs were elongated, some others round; some were soft, others rough; but everyone had a strong shell capable of to be bumped over without even crack. Shilar was going to handle one to see it without bending his back, but a Synthetic Assistant appears, saying: Sir! These creatures had a refined instinctif you move it, they will notice it and they will be very upset- to the verge of stomp on everyone of them.

All right, I will not touch it!- Shilar replied. Then, Captain Sarcina takes him by the hand and show him some peculiar flowers, saying: They are not only beautiful but produce antitoxins capable of to fight several infirmities. He takes her by the shoulders and kissed her lips, that parted under that caress- she close her eyes, and her breath became more rapid. After several kisses, she said: I knew this was to happen the minute I set eyes on you. I love you very much.- Shilar said, recognizing he was over sensitive after so many years without a natural woman. Captain Sarcina! We rather are going! The female dinosaurs are coming back.- A Synthetic Assistant said. They went up the spherical vessel and returns to the starship while kissing each other without stop. 169 Two weeks later, they were still on their honeymoon, on a beautiful beach surrounded by the forest. A force field and twenty Synthetic Guards protects them from any harm- they usually begin their days bathing on the sea, then a short run by the shore- two hours of study and (she) attending the course of actions on the Starship- three hundred and sixty persons, half of them being Synthetic Humanoids. Then, a lunch at the beach that day, she was very worried about the Saurian People. Darling: they are telling me the Rat people are preparing another full scale attack against those pacific dwellers. They didnt learn the lesson! I helped the Saurian in their first battle- I can tell you I act on impulse- but up to this day, I keep on thinking in this: the closest species should be favored by me- and I choose opposite. Sarcina hugged him and said: Nice thought, dear! But I guess you act like that out of your sense of Justice- not of kinship. That may be so! What are you going to do this time?- He asked her. I will collaborate with the Saurian! I see no point helping the Rat People- they only want to possess the Saurian city- no other main reason I can find. How, darling? With your warriors sending them LASER rays- after you saved their infants.- Shilar asked her. Not quite, dear! I will prevent their Army to arrive to the Saurian coast- I could do that, you know- with Force Fields acting over so malleable element such is water they will loose the course. They will be several more days than thought on the sea. They will Return to their caves without harm.- She promised. Shilar was the witness- on several occasions, the entire fleet- thirty two big wooden ships and several minor ones- were set out of course by the gravitate effect of the force fields acting upon the sea and the ships- forty days later, hungry and beaten, the whole rat Army returns to port without even had set foot on the Saurian territory. It must be a way to prevent this to happen in the future, darling! Not always they will have your assistance to prevent attacks from the rat people.- Shilar said. I think they will take heed of the strangeness of the sea- preventing their raidsusually, this starts some kind of religion thoughts on primitive civilizations.Captain Sarcina said.

I wish I could be with you in this mission of yours! Pity I am not a military man.Shilar said, taking her hands. Well, I can become a civil person again! I could resign to my post.- She said, looking into his eyes. Are you serious? I am but a simple private with a spaceship for rent.- Shilar said, astonished of her boldness. She offers her lips to be kiss, and afterwards she said: ask me if I want. I wish you were mine for ever! Well roam the skies traveling back and forth carrying tourists to their destinies, but darling, you will abandon a fabulous career; to be the captain of a Starship is no mere thing.- Shilar said, feeling culprit of enamoring this fine lady out of an honorable career. He was on the verge of to end this unequal relationship, but seeing her beauty he restrain himself. I accept to live with you, Shilar! Just give me some time to arrange things in the proper way.- Sarcina said, while in his arms. Later, she resigned and the matter takes but four weeks to be resolved- a message from Headquarters using the super Radio arrives. Dear! They accepted my resignation! We can live wherever we want! I have now a good pension- I will be not an expensive wife.- Sarcina said, walking into Shilars cabin aboard the starship. Shilar kissed her passionately, and they Moved their belongings to the P140; Shilar asked the new Captain of the Starship, Officer Gus Ferlonten, to receive his former Assistant AA 830 for reparations, saying: I rather use another Assistant but this model! I find several negative aspects on its behavior. The new Captain, Margro, a negro man, said: Well, Sir, I will be glad to receive it! Is a complicated model, but we can fix its bugs with some new hardware. Your wife is now entitled with three Synthetic models if she so decides. I will ask her about this, Captain Margro! Thanks for your time.- Shilar said, walking out of the main deck for the last time. Ex Captain Sarcina asked his three Synthetic Assistants that from then on have their posts at the MP140 of his husband, who said: My occupation, as you know now, was running a one man tourist Agency, darling. Do you want that for a living, or do you prefer to live here on this wonderful planet? Sarcina said: I will accept any way of living, dear, if it is the best that suits your interests. Soon afterwards, they begin their journey back to the Solar System, where Shilar thought it would be best suited for their future enterprise- tourism between planets. Eight months it takes the return to the Solar System now the route was back to normal; the crew, all of them Synthetic Assistants, takes heed not to commit any Errors; they arrive sane and safe to the Solar System, where they were well received- the worries of Captain Shilar vanished when the Joint of Tourism declared him totally innocent of the dead of his clients on Hopro III, System Hopro, Horse Head Nebula., with only a commendation not to carry any other tourist to that so dangerous a place. Do you see, dear? I told you there was nothing to worry about! Now we can commence our enterprise.- She said, while they walked out of the office of the Director of Commerce and Tourism, in the city of Chicago.

Yes, darling! We have our trade now! We must set an office where to receive our clients- I am back on business!- Captain Shilar said, happy now to see his road to the future wide open. The open road finally decided: tourism between Earth and the moon of Saturn, Europe, where tourists become sportsmen- the ice of Europe was widely known through out the Solar System and beyond- here there were not seasons like in the Alps, Switzerland or La Parva and Portillos in Chile! There the ice was covering the planet through several kilometers deep- so huge enterprises were serving skiers, snowboarded men and the like through years on end. It was, of course, for the economically fit- it was expensive to be there in Vacations, but there were thousands, if not millions, of rich people and wealthy families now the trade was among not only with neighboring planetary systems, but also with a whole different Brana, where colonization was well under way. We are among the lucky, dear! We can ski every time we carry our clients here!- Sarcina said, as Shilar didnt waste occasion for her to exercise on his favorite sport on Europe satellite. That was so, as he was well aware that those weeks traveling to and from Europe were tiresome and almost always boring. After three years on the trade, she gets pregnant and Shilar said: Darling, I think its time for us to settle down- our tourist Agency could be carried out by our Assistants, mainly. Are you sure? Are you not going to be nostalgic of this wonderful traveling together to that famous place?- Sarcina asked back. Of course not, darling! I prefer to run our small enterprise from our office in Chicago, having you and the future baby on a nice apartment.- Shilar said. Our future baby, dear! I am sure all it will end all right for us.- She said, kissing him dearly. Which name do you want for our baby, dear?- Sarcina asked him, while on the Maternity room. The same name that you have, darling.- Shilar said. Are you sure? I guess she deserves a name of her own! What about Lavinia? It sounds great, dont you think? It was my grandmothers name, too.- She smiled, while looking at the nice baby girl on her cradle. It sounds good to me, darling!- He replied. So Lavinia is her name, now! My joy is complete.- Sarcina said, caressing the babys face. THE END. Captain Sarcina, from a Starship from the Federation, Second Officer Tirk Rornfern and Second Engineer Shing Furiong, Argofende, medical in Chief, Hopro III, P.System Hopro, Horse Head Nebula.130 million years from Earth. Lucius Contignatio & Joan Meade Marlo Edissero & Triginta Lucrifuga Francois Gypsatus & Liguria Permoveo Cornelie Borginton Makra Surongo Hellie Astaranoza

Lorton Kutterbrunner, millionaire & Systa Vagabodonga Albert T. Hokes, millionaire.& Fedra Cocabona Mr. Farthom Climbor, lecturer from the Philocosmic Club. Minister Borgibon of Mars. Miss Laisa from the Gerhard Gorf Co. Administration office. Shilar -Working as a captain of the Gerhard Gorf Company, in a tug spaceship (Round trips between Mars and Jupiter- goods and radioactive materials). the Director General, Mr. Zariguen Gurford, a large man in his fifties, Gerhard Gorf Co. The Safari of Captain Zubasch and the tycoons from Salvadias planet. Figornio Pervoluto & Mamelia Castro Askalet Inoculo & Ragina Cifuentes Jufanog Cuncolus, Rastern Veraltet and Gagoger Pfad (Ariana Gorbing her mate). Captain Zubasch from the spaceship Unklug, 29 Electro men. Unplug Travel Agency. Shilar and Josella on a Shuttle Craft Expedition of Mr. Alf Coker= Sampson, Karla, George Burn, Troking, Dillon, 1 Expedition of Hugo Martinez=Toinfeld, Ferenge, Faukbor, 3 Later, they return to the camp, and the tale keeps on with all members in one group. Expeditionary team under Director Shafer from the University of Morengo, in Salvadias planet. People: Shilar, Mary, Eleanor. Director Mr. Shafer Miss Ruhura, second in command Doctor Toinfeld Doctor Ferenge teaches Doctor Faukbor pilot Sampson in charge of a Shuttle craft (he lost his Flier in the fangs of a Carnotaur). 1. Chief Assistant Miss Josella in charge of a Flier scout 2. Chief Assistant Mr. Alf Coker in charge of a Flier scout 3. Chief Assistant Mr. Hugo Martinez in charge of a Flier scout 200 other members of that team.: Miss Karla, botanists, George Burn biologist, Mr. Troking, Mr. Dillon, (4 already died: George Burn, Lois Aberhan, M, Weidemeyer, and Silver Kieesling.) Machines: 1.-A green machine appears, twelve meters high, using caterpillar chains instead of wheels. A slit on top with a cockpit, diesel engine- Used by Troking and Mr. Dillon. 2.-Four Fliers (One already wrecked- 3 to go).(Pilots Josella, Alf Coker, Hugo Martinez). 3.-2 Shuttle crafts. (Necessary explanation: A chartered Spacecraft left them on that planet for a 2 years lapsed time- it will come to pick them afterwards).

(This is the beginning of the appearances ) Kronixa, model AB 7771, cost 1 million Credits. Captain Shilar ,space freighter Kongovelga, from Knapp Planet II Brana First Officer Chinfong. Kongovelga. (Died). Miss Patrice, her mother Salvia and his fiance Dulles Moriat. Vendor from the factory Rising Sun Industries: Mr. Ki Fuson. Finkle, spare parts and used parts vendor man. From Earth to Holobarnium III. Miss Patrice, her mother Salvia and his fiance Dulles Moriat Vendor from the factory Rising Sun Industries: Mr. Ki Fuson Professor Fudge (host to a swarm of insects, he died on the forest) and his students: Mary, Eleanor, Cantogar (lame after the crash), Fishburn (disappeared, probably the same Carnotaur that killed Askiforgion killed him), Gotogo (dead at the landing on planet III) and Askiforgion (eaten by a Carnotaur). Mary, Eleanor. Sole survivors of Professor Fudge voyage. Director Mr. Shafer Miss Ruhura, second in command Doctor Toinfeld Doctor Ferenge teaches Doctor Faukbor 1. Chief Assistant and pilot Sampson 2. Chief Assistant Josella 3. Chief Assistant Alf Coker 4. Chief Assistant Hugo Martinez 200 other members of that team. Karla, botanists, George Burn biologist (eaten by a dinosaur). 200-4= 196 :E-people made at Oredloro: Names of Class AA806: Expensive: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Plastic AA806 542 830 metallic AA806 343 830 metallic AA806 393 392 metallic AA806 393 100 metallic AA806 393 123 metallic AA806 323 230 metallic AA806 303 102 JG model, serial number AJ65 Similar to a human being. Male. Name: Gusgaf

X30 0034 X20 093 X03 d10s X02 s10 AB-0000 series, if any.

SYNTHETIC PEOPLE MADE IN EARTH. Several hundred models, thousands of versions, but the AB model is the common occurrence; it runs from the basic model AB 003 to the most sophisticated AB X9 series, versions are more than a thousand. Laisa is a model AB X 9 versions B3, serial number 29 and she belongs to the Underdog Company. Fish on the planet "Late Cretaceous fish" A Acrotemnus Adriacentrus Aipichthyoides Alloberyx Anguillavus Aphanepygus Asarotus Aulolepis B Barcarenichthyes Berycopsia C Carsothrissops Charitopsis Chirothrix Coccodus Coryphaenopsis Cryptoberyx Ctenocephalichthys D Dactylopogon Dinopteryx E Echidnocephalus Elopopsis Enchelion Enchelurus Enchelyolepis Enischorhynchus Erugocentrus Eubiodectes G Gasterorhamphosus Gaudryella Gharbouria Ginsburgia Gnathoberyx

Goudkoffia G cont. Grypodon H Halec Haljulia Heterothrissa Histiothrissa Homonotichthys Humilichthys I Ichthyoceras Inocentrus Istieus J Judeichthys Judeoberyx K Kansius L Libanoberyx Lissoberyx Lobopterus Lusitanichthys M Microcapros Micropycnodon Moorevillia N Natlandia Nematonotus Neopachycormus O Opistopteryx Ornategulum Oshunia Ostariostoma P Palaeocyttus Paleopsephurus Paraipichthys Paranogmius Paratarpon Paravinciguerria P cont. Parospinus Pateroperca Pattersonichthys Pattersonoberyx Phoenicolepis

Plectocretacicus Plesioberyx Polygyrodus Pronotacanthus Protoscaphirhynchus Protostomias Prymnetes Pseudoberyx Pycnosterinx Pycnosteroides R Ramallichthys Rankinian S Salminops Sardinius Scombroclupea Sedenhorstia Spathiurus Sphathiurus Stichoberyx Stichocentrus Stichopteryx Stromerichthys T Tachynectes Telepholis Trewavasia Tubantia V Volcichthys Sarcina (saco, en latin). ******* Synopsis of Synthetic Humanoids, Knapp 15. Page Occurrences. 1 Captain Shilar carrying cargo to Holobarnio 3 planet, also carrying passengers (Patrice Herbion, her mother and her fiance.) 2 Mistress Salvia, mother of Patrice. 3 Mr Dulles Moriat, her fiance, 4 All aboard the Kongovelga 5 The bought of new engines 6 Keeps them waiting for the depart 7 Mr. Finkle 8 Offered a share if going to a planet where riches abounds. 9 Finkle offered new Synthetic models of Assistants. 10 Test flight on route. Saturn, Enceladus. 11 Reparations, Ching Fong the Engineer.

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Miss Patrice Disliking Mr. Dulles. The Kongovelga passing through Plutos orbit. Shilar on guard. Pirates fighting for entrance into the Kongovelga. Fusing parts. Repairing at the Kongovelga. Passing near the liner U. S. Bush. Arrival to Holobarnio 3, three passengers descends, cargo delivered. The Kongovelga repaired again at Holobarnio 3. Shilar visited Hobobern city on Holobarnio 3, on the Agioran Continent, logged at a cheap hotel room. Walking by Hobobern city. Melan (Ewoman police). Kronixa, sex worker. Model AB 7771. Different Synthetic models, different prices. King Eulifor rules Holobarnio, from Mars stock. Passengers from University of Hobobern buy tickets to Earth planet. Professor Fudge, students are Mary, Eleonor, Cantogar, Fishburn, Gotogo and Askiforgion. Explosion on star 6548 sending the Kongovelga at warp 9 (possibly in some instant at warp 18) for seven months on automatic to the Horse head nebula a place unknown to Federation cartographers. Awakened by autopilot, Shilar finds Chinfong dead and the ship astride. Professor Fudge and his students are told to get into the lifesaver emergency boats (the Kongovelga out of service). Four days traveling Arrival to the third planet of unknown numbered star. Chapter 5. Planet 3, Planetary System on Horse Head Nebula Constellation. Crash-landing for the most part of the tiny safe boat spaceships. Gotogo dead, Shilar on sunken spaceship swim ashore. Professor Fudge gets lost on the sea. Shilar arrives to the coast after several hours, he saw dinosaurs. Find professor Fudge captured on a spider web, where he finally died. Long legged creatures lurking on the woods. Shilar on the swamps. Sinosauropteryx, Polacanthus. Shilar feed on eggs. He saw balloon with people under it. Finding some tourists: Cantogar, Mary, Eleanor, Fishburn, Askiforgion on a cave: Troodon attacked them on the cave. Talks. Hypsilophodon hunted They eat it. Night on a tree. With Mary, Cantogar, Fishburn is dead. Shilar runs with Eleanor and Mary from Cantogar who is sick. Intelligent Saurian on a vehicle gives them some food and departed. Caudipteryx hunted and eaten. They saw some Therizinosaurus. Centrosaurus alert. A river is found. Edmontonia. The cataract. Green saurian people found. They hunt a Gallimimus to eat. Shilar, Eleanor and Mary keeps on marching. The turret on ruins is found.

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Maiasaurus roaring, a pond. Panderichthys (fish). Oviraptors. Edmontonia are seeing. Roars in the night Rains. Edmontonia fights three young Tyrannosaurus Rex. Trokin and Dillon from Federation Civilization (Salvadias planet) appear on a land machine, from the University of Morengo the expedition is. Arriving to camp, Director Shafer with 200 people, Fliers and Shuttlecrafts. They rescue Mary and Eleanor from the cave. Chapter 6. The camp of Director Shafer, Miss Ruhura organizes them. Shilar worked with those explorers. A Carnotaur fights the force field of Security. Shuttle crafts. Shilar romances Mary. Chapter 7. Exploring with Sampsons team. Velociraptor, Pachycephalosaurus, vegetable: Ferenge Oleaginous is found and named by the biologists. Karla the Biologist. Carnotaur attack. Karla runs with Shilar, who saw human remains later. The Flier departs. Alone in the woods. The Flier machine comes back, but was destroyed by the cunning Carnotaur, the men are eaten. Sampson appears. Another Flier descended, Director Shafer rescues Shilar And also Miss Karla and Sampson. The dear were George Burns, Lois Aberhan, M. Weidemeyer, and Silver Kiesling. Director Shafer asks for more prudence. Talks about humanoids and Cyborg. Shilar and Mary on a tent. Pteranodons attack. Chapter 8. Expedition of Miss Josella. Biologist Josella says the planet 3 is on its Cretaceous period, Sinosauropteryx, Sinornithosaurus, Confuciusornis abounds. Josella is from the University of Morengo. Shilar kissed Josella.error Director Shafer asks Shilar to move out of camp for a few days, due to the scandal. Josella went with him, later, she uses her personal Flier to takes back one of the bigger Shuttle crafts of the Expedition. Chapter 9. Knowing the planet 3. While traveling, they meet Captain Zubasch, on another spacecraft. He is on a Safari He is from the Unplug Tourist Agency. They have their camp at the Triangle Continent. Invited to join, they visit Zubasch camp. Zubasch uses a Synthetic crew. Triceratops Deinonychus Back at the camp, Electromen on duty guard. Carnosaur pack. Electromen hits them with LASER beams. Tycoon tourists: Ariana Gorbingo, Figornio Pervoluto, Askalet Inoculo, Juifanog Cuncolus, Rastern Veraltet, Gagoger Pfad. Oviraptors- the tourist hunts. Corythosaurus hits the tourists, Gagoger, Rastern and Jufanog Cuncolus are dead. Zubasch prepared his return.

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Shilar, Josella and serpents eggs. Captain Zubasch takes them inside his bigger craft on route to the Solar System. Two years and a half it takes the trip now. Shilar searching for a job as Captain on Mars. Josella went back to Salvadias planet. Chapter 10. The space tug boat. Director general Mr. Zariguen Gurford. Light is waves. Mr. Obinor receives him back on his office in Mars with compliments. Shilar finds captain Zubasch on a bar, Mars City. Zubasch said He was sued and fired from his job, so Shilar lends him 1000 credits to keep on. Gerhard Borf Company is where Shilar works. There is a war going on on nekar in Bootes. Kenarianas great fleet to attack solar system. (Original Chinese colonist s) Reed China Mao is Alive Party (RCMIA) governs there. Nekar 3 . May 30, 3774 C.E. AB 830 helps during trips. Miss Laisa from Gerhard Borf Company (She is a Synthetic Ewoman). Shilar dates her and she accepts. New orbital station around Mars. Mr. Obinor is the General Manager of G.B.Co. Shilar has a romance with Laisa. Zubasch calls him on Mars City- Mars Cosmodrome. He pays him. Mr. Dark present at the meeting owns the Orb Spaceship. Offer: 4 parsecs away is a small planet orbiting a red Giant, couple of millions if he goes. On an Orb. Mr. Dark is financing the trip. Shilar has to resign of his present job. Mr. Zariguen gives him a leave instead of a resignation. Laisa offered to accompany him, Shilar accepted. At Bens tavern, he meets Mr. Askalet Inoculo and Mr. Figornio Pervoluto. They invite him for a future return to the planet 3 on Horse Head Nebula no name star. Chapter 11. Laisa. They arrive to the small planet but Mr. Zubasch and Mr. Dark are dead. They search for the treasure. They found the treasure. It is on a chest= 126 million Credits on jewels and gold. Fifteen years takes the way back to the Solar System, due to a kind B star who exploded in the road back. They sell the valuables on Mars. The Orb is sold. Syrtis Major has minerals and Mr. Albert T. Hokes, Lorton Kutterbrunner are owners of mine operations and invited him to participate. Mr. Figornio Pervoluto invites him to a dinner party. Ministry Borgibon of Mars. Borgibon is invited to the dinner and said the mine operations are going to be nationalized by the Mars Government, so he warns not to invest in it. Mr. Pervoluto presents Mr. Farthom Climbor from the Philocosmic Club, who gives them a lecture on the UFOS of the past.

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Minister Borgibon repeats the Martian state will take mining companies under his control. Back to Laisa, he said all about the mine operations handicap. Shilar bought a spaceship class MP140 at Bitpace Underdog Spaceships Company in 81 million Credits. They deliver him the spaceship. Chapter 12. Planet Hopro 3. They traveled to Hopro 3, 120 light years away from Earth. Hopro Star. No Federation station present. It has some alien creatures and dinosaurs. Ouranosaurus. Figornio Pervoluto. Askalet Inoculo, Lorton Kutterbrunner, plus their women. Mr. Hokes and lady Systa on tour. Blimps with natural aliens. They are saurian sapiens. City of the Saurian people. Watermelons, warriors. Tourist Lucius Contignatio astounded visited he city with some tourists. Laisa guiding the tour helped by Synthetic Persons with LASER rifles. The ship is surrounded by Saurian warriors mounted on Alamosaurus. They moved to the coast. Tourist Marlo Edissero went to the sea; plenty of Old kind of fishes. AB 806 tells Shilar to make something memorable with his life. Tourists hunt Polacanthus. Iguanodons. Feast on the camp. Laisa said she ought to return to the Gerhard Gorf Company. He refuses. Mr. Contignatio fights Coelophysis. Shilar on a trip loose his guards on a Pteranosaurs attack. He saw the Saurian City being siege by Rat like intelligent warriors. He helps the Saurian by giving their chief his LASER pistol and returns to camp. Chapter 13. The Spinosaurus Aegypticus. While Shilar rested on the spaceship, Laisa carried the tourist group to hunt. They were attacked by a big Spinosaurus and were all killed. A Synthetic Humanoid awakes Shilar and t old him about the tragedy. He recovers hard disks of Laisa and others. He saw recordings of the attack on a screen. Later he visits the Saurian City, where the attackers were already beaten and went back to their territory. He exchange some time with the Chief of the Saurian. The Saurian gives back his LASER pistol. AA 830 the last Assistant said the saurian is king Gorishish. Chapter 14. Rat City. Underneath the surface there is a tunneled city of rat sapiens. AA830 tries to understand their social organization. A procession of rats carried the severely wounded to an enclosure where they burned them alive. They also tend the land using Paracephalopus and herded Coelophysis. Shilar moves to another place. He saw dragon-like dinosaurs that are capable of to throw fire by their jaws. Chapter 15. Captain Sarcina appears on a starship from Starfleet Command. She is a natural woman. Shilar offered himself to help in any way; they visited the woods together while the Synthetic Assistants surveyed the territory and take samples of everything for the Record.

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Pachycephalosaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus, Panoplosaurus, Parasaurolophus, Parksosaurus, Pawpawsaurus, Pentaceratops, Pinacosaurus are studied. Egg camps are visited. Hundred of eggs lie to hatch. Shilar have a romance with Captain Sarcina. The rat people On a big Armada sets course against the Saurian City, but Captain Sarcina prevents them to arrive, making storms and strong sea currents, so the Armada finally gives up and returns to port half decimated. Sarcina resigns her post in order to live with Shilar as a civilian at the MP 140 spaceship. Return to Earth. They start a Tourist Agency with trips to Europe satellite of Jupiter. Sarcina gives birth to a baby girl and stayed at the office from then on, with Shilar happily around. The End.72.079 words