22 They would not return to the desert world
again. They would go to the water one beyond it. Perhaps there, there
were creatures they could use as hosts to re-crew their ship, or
perhaps, using the genes they had, create a colony. They had a long
time ....a VERY long time to decide.
23 The Morning Star reappeared in the distant system. They didn't even
bother to scan it, just checked for any sign that might tell them in
which direction home lie, but there was nothing. They leaped again and
again. Six precious days had passed and they were not any surer of
their course at all. They came out of leap and at first Navigation
found nothing. Then suddenly he gave a startled cry. ''What is it?"
North asked.
24 "Nothing, sir," the Officer answered. "My instruments must be
faulty. They're showing hyper wave readings, but it couldn't possibly
be! The readings show objects in motion as big as planets! Nothing THAT
big could move at THAT speed!"
25 "GHOSTS!" screamed North. "Line up on that system! How long before
we can leap?"
26 "Twenty minutes, sir," Helm announced.
27 "Go, man, go!" North ordered. "Get us in there!"
28 The bewildered Officers obeyed. Again The Morning Star leaped. She
appeared in the midst of a system whose plants were apparently taking
off for deep space, disappearing in all directions!
29 "Communications," ordered North, "hailing frequency! Broadcast what
I say! This is General Northern Star of The Republic Of Free Planets.
You do not have to evacuate. We mean you no harm. We are merely lost. I
have done you favors in the past. I ask now that you do ME one and give
us a bearing home. That