Varon pushed his way through the thick , wet grass of the swamp . Behind him , he heard the sound of loud voices . He tried to go faster , but the thick grass held him back . He had to push his way through it step by step . Varon had come about three kilometres from the Zeron strongroom² and was very tired . The first part of Varon's plan ' had been successful . He had got into the strongroom deep under the ground - he had found the crystal and he had got out again . He had succeeded in stealing one of the most valuable crystals in the Universe ' . And no one had seen him . But the second part of his plan had gone completely wrong . The guards on the planet Zeron had found his spaceship . Varon had been told that only the strongroom on Zeron was guarded . But now he knew that was wrong . There were guards all over the planet . The guards had been waiting for him when he got back to the spaceship . And now they were chasing him and there was no way he could escape.

had to get back inside his ship . There was no other way he could escape from Zeron . He now moved out of the long , thick grass . He was standing on harder , drier ground . There were some thick bushes in front of him . Behind him , there was the swamp and the guards who were chasing him . Varon hurried towards the thick bushes . ' I must get back to the spaceship , ' Varon thought . I'll have to find some way of tricking the guards . I can't escape from Zeron if I can't get back to the spaceship . ' Varon took two steps forward into the bushes . Suddenly he stopped . He knew he was not alone . He dropped down on one knee . There was somebody near him . His hand reached for the laser gun on his belt . ' Do not touch your weapon , ' said a soft voice . The voice spoke from behind a bush . Varon turned towards the voice and pulled his gun from his belt . He pointed the laser gun at the bush and pressed the trigger " . Nothing happened . Varon pressed the trigger again . Again , nothing happened . The quiet voice spoke once more . Your gun cannot be used . Put it back in your belt . You will not be harmed¹0 . ' Varon lowered his hand , but did not put the gun back in his belt . He rose slowly and took a step towards the bush . ' You are not permitted to move any nearer , ' said the soft , quiet voice . It was a strange voice neither friendly nor unfriendly.

Varon raised his foot to take another step towards the bush . But he could not move his leg forward . He tried and tried to move his leg , but it would not move . He could move backwards , but he could not go nearer the bush . ' Who are you ? " Varon asked . What do you want from me ? '.

' I want to help you , Stefan Varon , ' said the voice . ' You know my name ! ' said Varon in surprise . No one on Zeron knew him . ' Yes , I know your name . And I know what you do . And where you come from . And why you are here . I know every thing . I am Omega . ' The leaves of the bush were moved slowly to one side . A tall figure stood in front of Varon . The figure was made of metal . It's face was neither friendly nor unfriendly . It did not have a nose , mouth , eyes and ears like a human . It was a robot¹² ! Varon was very surprised . He knew that the guards on Zeron did not use robots . He knew there were no robots on Zeron . Or was he wrong again ? A robot was standing here in front of him . ' What do you want from me ? " Varon asked once again . The robot did not reply . It seemed to be listening to something . Its head moved round to the right . Varon heard the voices of the Zeron guards . ' He's over there , ' a voice shouted . ' Near those bushes ! ' Varon turned to the left and began to run . Omega raised one arm and pointed it at Varon . A bright , red light came from the metal arm and covered Varon's body . The red light quickly faded . When the Zeron guards reached the bushes , they found nothing . Varon and Omega had disappeared.

aron opened his eyes and looked around . He was lying on a metal bunk¹4 in a small room . The bunk was fixed to a metal wall . ' The Zeron guards have caught me , ' he thought . ' I am in prison . There was a small screen in the metal wall opposite the bunk . Varon got up and pressed a switch . The screen lit up and a picture appeared . Outside there were thousands and thousands of stars and planets . The biggest was a large circle of bright , yellow light . Varon had seen the same yellow light when he was coming towards Zeron in his spaceship . Now he was looking at the planet Zeron from space . A short time ago , he had been standing in a swamp on its surface . ' I'm in a spaceship , ' Varon said to himself . ' And it's not my spaceship . But how did I get here ? " Then he remembered the Zeron guards who had been chasing him . And he remembered Omega . The robot has teleported ¹5 me here , ' he said to himself . ' But what about the Zeron crystal ? Have I still got it ? " Quickly he felt in his pocket for the small box . It was still there . He opened the box and looked at the red crystal lying inside . He was lucky . No one had searched his pockets . No one had taken his precious¹6 crystal . 16 Varon looked around the room for a hiding place . There was no furniture - only the metal walls and the metal bunk . There was the small visual display screen¹7 in one wall and above the bunk there was a small air vent¹8 . The air vent was covered with a metal grille . Varon took a small metal tool from his pocket . He pointed the instrument at the edge of the grille and pressed a button . There was a humming20 noise . Varon pointed the tool at the grille and moved his arm round slowly in a circle . After a few seconds , he reached up and carefully lifted the grille away from the air vent . He took the box with the crystal in it from his pocket and placed it carefully inside the vent . He put the grille back in place . He used the instrument again . In a few seconds , the grille was firmly fixed back to the wall . There was no door in the room . But this did not trouble Varon . He pointed the metal tool at the wall between the visual display screen and the bunk . He pressed the button . Nothing happened . Then he turned round and pointed at the other.

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door . Varon stopped at the side of the door and carefully looked inside . It was the control room21 of the spaceship . There was someone standing inside , near the open door . Quickly , Varon moved back and stood against the metal wall of the corridor . A woman's voice said . It was a mistake to bring him up here to the ship . ' ' Mistakes are made by humans . I do not make mistakes , ' said a quiet voice . Varon knew the voice immediately . It was Omega's voice . ' You have made a mistake , ' the woman repeated angrily . She said each word sharply and coldly . Varon very slowly moved back towards the open door . He looked carefully into the control room . He saw Omega standing in front of the controls of the spaceship . The woman was standing looking at Omega angrily . She was young , about twenty - five , and she had long , bright red hair . ' You must send this man back to Zeron immediately , ' said the woman . ' I cannot do harm to a human being , ' Omega replied quietly , ' If I send the man back to Zeron , he will be killed by the ouards I cannot send him back . '

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door . Varon stopped at the side of the door and carefully looked inside . It was the control room21 of the spaceship . There was someone standing inside , near the open door . Quickly , Varon moved back and stood against the metal wall of the corridor . A woman's voice said . It was a mistake to bring him up here to the ship . ' ' Mistakes are made by humans . I do not make mistakes , ' said a quiet voice . Varon knew the voice immediately . It was Omega's voice . ' You have made a mistake , ' the woman repeated angrily . She said each word sharply and coldly . Varon very slowly moved back towards the open door . He looked carefully into the control room . He saw Omega standing in front of the controls of the spaceship . The woman was standing looking at Omega angrily . She was young , about twenty - five , and she had long , bright red hair . ' You must send this man back to Zeron immediately , ' said the woman . ' I cannot do harm to a human being , ' Omega replied quietly , ' If I send the man back to Zeron , he will be killed by the ouards I cannot send him back . '

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door . Varon stopped at the side of the door and carefully looked inside . It was the control room21 of the spaceship . There was someone standing inside , near the open door . Quickly , Varon moved back and stood against the metal wall of the corridor . A woman's voice said . It was a mistake to bring him up here to the ship . ' ' Mistakes are made by humans . I do not make mistakes , ' said a quiet voice . Varon knew the voice immediately . It was Omega's voice . ' You have made a mistake , ' the woman repeated angrily . She said each word sharply and coldly . Varon very slowly moved back towards the open door . He looked carefully into the control room . He saw Omega standing in front of the controls of the spaceship . The woman was standing looking at Omega angrily . She was young , about twenty - five , and she had long , bright red hair . ' You must send this man back to Zeron immediately , ' said the woman . ' I cannot do harm to a human being , ' Omega replied quietly , ' If I send the man back to Zeron , he will be killed by the ouards I cannot send him back . '

wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door . Varon stopped at the side of the door and carefully looked inside . It was the control room21 of the spaceship . There was someone standing inside , near the open door . Quickly , Varon moved back and stood against the metal wall of the corridor . A woman's voice said . It was a mistake to bring him up here to the ship . ' ' Mistakes are made by humans . I do not make mistakes , ' said a quiet voice . Varon knew the voice immediately . It was Omega's voice . ' You have made a mistake , ' the woman repeated angrily . She said each word sharply and coldly . Varon very slowly moved back towards the open door . He looked carefully into the control room . He saw Omega standing in front of the controls of the spaceship . The woman was standing looking at Omega angrily . She was young , about twenty - five , and she had long , bright red hair . ' You must send this man back to Zeron immediately , ' said the woman . ' I cannot do harm to a human being , ' Omega replied quietly , ' If I send the man back to Zeron , he will be killed by the ouards I cannot send him back . '

above the bunk there was a small air vent¹8 . The air vent was covered with a metal grille¹9 . Varon took a small metal tool from his pocket . He pointed the instrument at the edge of the grille and pressed a button . There was a humming20 noise . Varon pointed the tool at the grille and moved his arm round slowly in a circle . After a few seconds , he reached up and carefully lifted the grille away from the air vent . He took the box with the crystal in it from his pocket and placed it carefully inside the vent . He put the grille back in place . He used the instrument again . In a few seconds , the grille was firmly fixed back to the wall . There was no door in the room . But this did not trouble Varon . He pointed the metal tool at the wall between the visual display screen and the bunk . He pressed the button . Nothing happened . Then he turned round and pointed at the other

above the bunk there was a small air vent¹8 . The air vent was covered with a metal grille¹9 . Varon took a small metal tool from his pocket . He pointed the instrument at the edge of the grille and pressed a button . There was a humming20 noise . Varon pointed the tool at the grille and moved his arm round slowly in a circle . After a few seconds , he reached up and carefully lifted the grille away from the air vent . He took the box with the crystal in it from his pocket and placed it carefully inside the vent . He put the grille back in place . He used the instrument again . In a few seconds , the grille was firmly fixed back to the wall . There was no door in the room . But this did not trouble Varon . He pointed the metal tool at the wall between the visual display screen and the bunk . He pressed the button . Nothing happened . Then he turned round and pointed at the other wall . He pressed the button again and this time there was a soft sliding noise . Part of the wall slid to one side . Varon had opened the door . The corridor outside the room was long and dark , but there was a light at one end . Very quietly , Varon moved down the corridor towards the light . The light was coming from an open door . Varon stopped at the side of the door and carefully looked inside . It was the control room21 of the spaceship . There was someone standing inside , near the open door . Quickly , Varon moved back and stood against the metal wall of the corridor . A woman's voice said . It was a mistake to bring him up here to the ship . ' ' Mistakes are made by humans . I do not make mistakes , ' said a quiet voice . Varon knew the voice immediately . It was Omega's voice . ' You have made a mistake , ' the woman repeated angrily . She said each word sharply and coldly . Varon very slowly moved back towards the open door . He looked carefully into the control room . He saw Omega standing in front of the controls of the spaceship . The woman was standing looking at Omega angrily . She was young , about twenty - five , and she had long , bright red hair . ' You must send this man back to Zeron immediately , ' said the woman . ' I cannot do harm to a human being , ' Omega replied quietly , ' If I send the man back to Zeron , he will be killed by the ouards I cannot send him back . ' Varon smiled . He did not want to go back to Zero . But you must obey 22 my orders , ' said the woman . That is correct , ' said Omega .

' Then I order you to send this man back to Zeron . ' Omega stood quietly at the controls of the spaceship , He did not do anything . ' Obey my order immediately ! ' shouted the woman . Teleport this man back to Zeron . ' ' I do not understand your order , ' said Omega quietly . ' It is a simple order , ' said the woman angrily . ' Send him back to Zeron . ' The woman now turned towards the robot . Varon could see she was very angry . Her eyes were bright and hard . She had raised her arms and her hands were tightly closed . ' Your order is not simple . It does not make sense . I cannot obey it . ' Omega's voice was quiet and soft . ' Why not ? " ' Varon is a human being . That is correct ? " said Omega . The woman agreed . ' I cannot harm a human being . If I send him back to Zeron , he will die . Therefore I cannot send him back . I cannot obey your order . ' ' Good , thought Varon to himself . He did not want to go back to Zeron to die . But he did want to go back to Earth . And this spaceship could take him there . He had to find a way to get control of the spaceship . Varon started to move back away from the open door . ' Stay where you are , ' said a man's voice behind him . Do not move . Varon felt cold metal touch the back of his neck . He knew that the man was pointing a laser gun at his head . He stood very still.

raise your hands , ' said the man behind Varon , ' and walk alowly into the control room Varon obeyed the man's order . ' Now sit down on that seat , ' said the voice . ' And do it slowly . Varon stopped in front of the seat . He slowly turned round and sat down . Now Varon could see the man . He was tall and his black hair was cut short . " What are you doing , Garth ? asked the woman . ' Why have you brought that man in here ? " Garth stood back against the wall . He held his laser gun loosely . But it was pointing straight at Varon's head . Varon knew that Garth could kill him easily and that he would enjoy doing it . ' I did not bring him here , Miranda , ' Garth replied . ' I found him standing outside the door . He was listening to you and Omega . ' But how did he get out of the room ? " asked Miranda . I closed and locked the door . No one can open the door from the inside . ' I can get out of any room if I have the right tool , ' said Varon . He smiled at the woman . She looked beautiful , but she did not smile back at him . You're a fool , Miranda , ' said Garth . You did not search him . Do it now . " Miranda walked behind the seat Varon was sitting on. She leant forward and searched his pockets . She took out the metal tool and handed it to Garth , Garth looked at it carefully . ' You're right , ' Garth said to Varon with a cold smile . ' You can get out of any room if you have a tool like this . It's a sonic key23 . It can open almost anything . Now , why do you need a tool like this ? " ' For my work , ' replied Varon . ' What is your work ? " asked Garth . He was still smiling but it was not a friendly smile . Varon did not reply . Garth spoke to Omega . ' Who is this man ? " he ordered sharply . Tell me what he was doing on the planet Zeron . ' Omega was standing quietly at the controls of the space ship . He did not reply for a few seconds . Then he spoke . ' Varon is a thief . The Zeron guards were chasing him . ' came the quiet reply . ' Why were the guards chasing you ? " Garth asked Varon . ' Your friend knows everything , ' replied Varon . ' Ask him . ' ' Omega is not a friend of ours , ' said Miranda . ' He is a robot . ' ' I know that , ' said Varon . ' But a robot can still be a friend . He must be a friend . He's controlling your spaceship . ' ' This is not their spaceship , ' said Omega . ' And I am not their friend . " ' Omega is right as usual , ' said Garth , with a sharp laugh . ' The owner of this ship was his friend . Unfortunately , we had to leave him on Earth when we stole the ship . ' ' You did not leave him on Earth , ' said Omega in his quiet voice . You killed my master when you stole this spaceship . ' ' And we found out how to control you , ' said Garth in a cold , hard voice . ' Now you must obey our orders . We are your masters . ' Omega was silent . That's interesting , ' Varon thought to himself . ' If I can learn how to control Omega , I can make him fly the ship back to Earth . I must watch the robot carefully . ' Varon looked at Garth and Miranda . The woman was beautiful , but her eyes were hard and cruel . ' Why did you steal this spaceship ? " asked Varon . ' Because we needed it , ' replied Miranda . ' We had to leave Earth quickly . We were being chased by the Earth police . " ' Why were they chasing you ? asked Varon . He was inter ested now . ' Because we succeeded in stealing the most valuable thing on Earth , Miranda said quickly . Her eyes were bright with joy Varon laughed loudly . Then you are both the same as me.

I am a thief too . We are three thieves together . ' We are not the same as you , ' said Miranda coldly . We are sxvewil thieves We only steal things of great value . What can you steal on Zeron ? It is a poor planet . There is nothing to steal on Zeron . Everyone knows that . ' Yes Varon , ' said Garth , we are not the same as you . We are successful thieves . ' They both laughed . They are very stupid , ' thought Varon to himself . They do not know the secret of Zeron . They do not know that a Zeron crystal is the most valuable thing in this Universe . ' Then Omega spoke quietly . He stood at the controls of the spaceship with his back towards the three humans . Varon is exactly like you . " Garth stopped laughing . He tumed sharply towards the metal figure . You are wrong , Omega . I am never wrong , ' was Omega's reply . ' And I can prove that Varon is the same as you . I hope he isn't going to tell them about the Zeron crystals , ' Varon thought to himself . Tell Varon why you and Miranda left Earth , ' Omega said . You say you know everything , ' said Garth to Omega in a cold voice , you tell him why we left Earth . " They stole the newest and most powerful computer on Earth , ' said Omega in a quiet voice . They stole it . But the Earth police discovered that they were the thieves . They had to escape and so they stole this spaceship . ' The most powerful computer on Earth ? " said Varon . Then you are rich - very rich . They are not rich yet , ' continued Omega . They had to hide the computer on Earth . It is still on Earth . " So Garth and Miranda stole the computer but they have not sold it yet , ' said Varon with a laugh . The computer is hidden safely , ' said Miranda angrily . ' No one can ever find it . It will be there when we get back to Earth . ' There are many people who want this powerful computer , ' said Garth . ' And when we sell it we will be rich . We will be the richest people on Earth . ' For the first time Omega turned away from the controls . He looked at Garth and Miranda . ' Yes , you will both be rich when you get back to Earth , ' Omega said . But first you must get back there . And that is why you are both the same as Varon . He too is rich - much richer than both of you . But he too must get back to Earth . ' Miranda and Garth looked at Varon with great interest . He was richer than they were . What did he have which made him so rich ?.

The here was silence on the spaceship . Omega was standing quietly at the controls again . Varon was thinking about how he could learn to control Omega . Miranda and Garth were thinking about what Omega had told them . Varon was richer than both of them . Miranda was the first to speak . So we all want to go back to Earth , ' she said . Then let's go there . Omega , take us back to Earth , now . '

Omega pushed switches on the control panel . A low noise filled the room . ' Stop , ' said Garth sharply . ' Stop , Omega . We cannot go back to Earth yet . ' Omega pulled back the switches and the noise faded away . ' You are stupid , Miranda , ' said Garth . We have travelled millions of kilometres through space . We have been running and hiding from everyone for a long time now . But we can't go back to Earth yet . First , we must make sure that our plan has worked . ' Plan ? " asked Varon . ' What's your plan ? " ' It's simple , ' replied Garth . When we stole the computer , we knew that the Earth police were following us . So we stole this spaceship - the fastest spaceship that has ever been built . " ' The fastest and most powerful , ' added Omega . ' When we left Earth , we flew towards the Moon , ' con tinued Garth . The police ships were far behind . We fired a small missile25 at the surface of the Moon . By the time it exploded , we were thousands of kilometres away . " ' But what was the plan ? " asked Varon . ' The police saw the missile explode , ' explained Garth . ' We hope they will believe that this ship crashed on the Moon . Then they will think we are dead and they will forget about us . " ' A clever plan , ' said Varon . ' But has it worked ? " ' It's time to find out , ' said Miranda . ' We have been hiding for long enough . Omega , find out if our plan has worked . Omega moved to one side of the control panel . He stood front of a large , white screen . He placed his arms on the controls at each side of the screen . Bright lights , red and green and blue , flashed across the screen . There was a humming noise.

After a few moments , the bright lights faded away and the noise stopped . There was silence . Omega took his arms away from the control panel . He turned slowly towards Garth and Miranda . ' The Earth police have stopped looking for you , ' he said quietly . They believe that this ship crashed on the Moon . They think that the ship was completely destroyed 26 and that both of you are dead . ' Miranda laughed with joy . The plan has worked , ' she cried excitèdly . Now we can go back to Earth and get the computer . '

' But what about him ? " asked Garth , pointing at Varon . ' Take me back to Earth with you , ' said Varon . I have some business there . ' ' I am sure you have business there , ' said Garth . ' But I think you've forgotten something . ' ' What's that ? ' asked Varon . ' You are the only person who knows that we are still alive , ' answered Garth . ' You are the only person who knows we have this ship . If we take you back to Earth , you could tell the police . They will pay a big reward27 ' A big reward , ' said Varon with a laugh . ' Haven't you forgotten something ? " Tell me what I have forgotten . ' ' You have forgotten what Omega has told you , ' replied Varon . ' When I get back to Earth , I will be richer than both of you . I don't need any reward from the police . " ' You won't be richer than us , ' said Garth in a harsh voice . ' You will never get back to Earth . I am going to kill you now . ' Garth pointed his laser gun at Varon's head . Don't kill him , ' said Miranda suddenly . Her eyes were shining with greed . ' First , find out what he has got . Why will he be richer than both of us ? " ' I don't believe Omega , ' said Garth . It's impossible There's nothing to steal on Zeron . " Garth put his fingers to the trigger of the gun . But he could not close his fingers . Omega's arm was pointing at Garth . ' You must not kill this man , ' said Omega . ' You must ask him to help you . You need his help . " Help " asked Miranda sharply . What help If Varon does not help you , you will never get back to Earth ! "

What do you mean ? " asked Garth . ' Why do we need help from Varon Omega did not reply . Suddenly there was a loud noise in the control room , Omega turned to the controls . Red lights were flashing on the control panel and the noise was growing louder . The voice of the spaceship's warning system's suddenly sounded in the control room . Emergency - emergency . We are under attack . Hostile29 ships are approaching . We are under attack . Emergency- emergency , " ' It's the Zeron guards , ' said Omega . ' They have found us here above their planet . They are looking for Varon . ' Omega , I order you to teleport Varon back to Zeron , ' said Garth . The guards don't know Miranda and I are in this ship , They want Varon . ' No , don't do anything , Omega , ' said Miranda angrily . Varon is rich . We must find out where his wealth is . ' ' Omega , ' shouted Garth , ' I order you to take him back ! ' Too late , ' said Omega quietly . The ship is in danger . We must be away from here in fifteen seconds . Prepare for hyper - flight . Humans must go to the safety room . " The voice of the warning system sounded again , ' Hostile ships in attack range " in fourteen seconds thirteen seconds A door slid open on one side of the control room . Garth and Miranda ran towards the door . Varon followed quickly . They went into a small room with metal'walls . It was like the room in which Varon had been a prisoner . But there were many metal bunks . . eight seconds Garth pressed a switch in the wall . A tray slid out of the wall . There were some large blue capsules on the tray . Garth and Miranda each swallowed a blue capsule . Varon swallowed a blue capsule too . . five seconds The three humans lay down on the bunks . two seconds The door of the safety room closed . They were now shut tightly in the room . Varon felt sleepy . A second later , the three of them were unconscious 32 Omega was now part of the controls of the spaceship . He had placed his arms on the control panel . He was a powerful computer controlling the ship.

The noises became much louder and the lights in the control room faded . The control room shock violently . But Omega felt nothing . And the three humans felt nothing . They were lying unconscious on the bunks in the safety room . Omega increased the power to the controls . The spaceship began to move into hyper - flight . It was the fastest ship that had ever been built . The lights in the control room went out . The noise stopped . There was complete blackness and silence in the control room . They were travelling out into space faster than the speed of light . In a few seconds , they had left the planet Zeron far behind them . The spaceships of the Zeron guards could not follow them . Slowly the lights in the control room came on again . There were no noises and no flashing lights . Omega moved his arms from the control panel . ' What do I do now ? " Omega asked himself . ' If I do not wake them up , they will lie in the safety room for ever . But I am a robot . I am not free . I cannot harm a human being . I cannot leave them there . " Omega pressed a switch on the control panel . The three humans woke up . The door of the safety roem slid quietly open . In a few seconds , they were back in the control room with Omega . What is our position ? asked Garth . ' We have escaped from the Zeron guards , ' replied Omega . Their spaceships could not follow us . " ' Good , ' said Miranda . ' Now we can get back to Earth . We do not need to hide any longer . " ' It is too late to go back to Earth now , ' said Omega quietly . Too late ? " asked Garth in surprise . What do you mean.

' I will explain , ' replied Omega . ' Since we left Earth , we have travelled many millions of kilometres . When we reached Zeron , our power banks were almost empty . I took this ship to Zeron because I knew the secret of the planet . There is a source of power¹4 on Zeron . But we had to escape from the Zeron guards . The escape used all the power we had left . ' ' No power left ! ' said Garth . ' But that's impossible . What about power for the life support systems ³5 ? ¹ ' You have exactly forty minutes left , ' answered Omega . Then the life support systems will fail . ' ' And we will all die , ' said Varon . ' I will not die , ' said Omega . ' But I will be left here in this ship for ever . ' ' But you said Varon could help us , ' Miranda said sharply to Omega . ' How can he help us ? " ' Varon stole a crystal from Zeron , ' replied Omega . ' Zeron crystals are the strongest source of power that has yet been discovered . One Zeron crystal in our power banks and we can go anywhere we want . ' Garth and Miranda turned towards Varon . Garth took his laser gun from his belt . ' Where is this crystal ? " he asked Varon.

There was silence in the control room . Garth was pointing his laser gun at Varon . Miranda was waiting for Varon's reply . Omega was working at the control panel . ' Omega knows everything , ' said Varon at last . ' He can tell you where it is . Why don't you go and bring the crystal yourself , Omega ! ' ' Zeron crystals are harmful to robots , ' replied Omega . ' I cannot touch a Zeron crystal . ' ' At last , ' said Miranda . ' At last you have told us that there is something which you cannot do . ' ' But you know where the crystal is , ' said Garth to Omega . ' Tell me and I will bring it to you . ' go and get it myself , ' said Varon . ' But first , I want an ' I'll agreement . ' ' What kind of agreement ? " asked Garth and Miranda together . ' We need this crystal to get us back to Earth . That's correct , isn't it ? " Garth and Miranda nodded their heads . ' But I was going to sell this crystal for many millions of credits36 , continued Varon . ' If we use the Zeron crystal to get us back to Earth , I will have nothing . And you will be able to sell the computer you stole . " ' What agreement do you want ? " asked Garth . You're not going to get any share of our money , ' added Miranda . It is ours . We stole the computer . " ' I don't want any share of your money , ' said Varon , ' I want something much more valuable.

' Tell us what you want , ' said Garth . ' I must go back to Zeron . ' ' Back to Zeron ! ' cried Miranda . ' You're mad . ' ' I'm not mad , ' said Varon . ' Think about it . Omega can teleport us down into the Zeron strongroom . We can steal another crystal . ' Miranda's eyes looked cruel and greedy . Varon was not mad . ' Why only one crystal ? " she asked . ' Why can't we steal one for each of us ? Then we will be the richest people in all the Universe . ' ' We may not have time , ' explained Varon . ' It is not easy to open the compartments³7 where the crystals are kept . ' ' What do you mean ? " asked Garth . ' Each crystal is locked in a compartment . There is only one crystal in each compartment . And it takes time to open a compartment . ' Omega had been quietly listening to all they were saying . Now he turned from the control panel and looked at them . ' I must warn ³8 the three of you , ' he said . There is great danger on Zeron . Death is waiting there for you . " There will be no danger , ' said Varon . You can teleport us down straight into the strongroom . We will take a crystal . Then you can teleport us back . " ' We will take three crystals , ' said Miranda . ' I cannot teleport you down to Zeron , ' said Omega quietly . ' Why not ? " asked Garth and Miranda together . ' I know that death is waiting for you on Zeron . I cannot send a human being to his death . ' ' We will order you to . teleport us down to Zeron , ' said Miranda. ' I have already explained to you , ' said Omega . ' I am unable to obey unders which I do not understand . ' The three humans looked at Omega . They each wanted to get back to Zeron . Each one of them wanted a valuable Zeron crystal . There is something I may be able to do , ' said Omega after a moment's silence . ' What's that ? asked Garth . ' I may be able to change the controls of the teleporter , ' explained Omega . Then you will be able to teleport yourselves down into the strongroom on Zeron . ' ' And you will be able to teleport us back here to the ship ? " asked Varon . ' I do not think I will be able to do that , ' replied Omega . ' Why not ? " asked Garth . ' I think will all die on Zeron . ' you Nonsense , ' said Miranda . Her eyes were bright with greed . compartments quickly . We will be in and ' Varon will the open out of the strongroom before the guards know . And we will each have a crystal . ' Good , ' said Garth . That's agreed . We will now go back to Zeron . We will teleport ourselves down and steal another crystal . ' ' Three more crystals , ' Miranda said eagerly 39 . ' All right , ' agreed Varon . ' We will try to steal three more crystals . Omega moved back to the control panel . A strong blue light was shining on the screen . Life support systems at danger level , " said the voice of the ship's warning system .