"You're making excellent time,
Bip" Zot praised him. "Keep up the good work." The compliment seemed
to make Bip beam with pride.
"Thank you, sir," Bip said in a very
pleased manner.
Adam thought to himself, "This must be serious, indeed!
I've never seen them get along so well for so long a time."
"For
everything there is a season," observed Zot.
"More of that confounded
mind reading?" Adam wondered in his head.
"Yes," Zot affirmed.
"Sorry, but it's a difficult habit to break once you learn how. After all, fish
gotta swim, and birds gotta fly. Right?"
"I suppose so,"
Adam replied, unsure whether he really agreed or not. "This has all been very
interesting, Zot. But what does it have to do with me?"
"I'm getting
to that" admonished Zot. Just then the craft made a mighty surge forward as
it entered through the stargate and quickly acclerated into hyperspace. Adam gripped
the bulkhead partition between the flight command cockpit and the rear section where
he was standing so that he could keep his balance. As soon as the starship achieved
lightspeed, the craft's forward momentum leveled off, but at a much greater velocity.
"Why don't you come up here and sit in Yonk's set?" offered Zot. "He's
not here, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
"Okay. Why not?"
Adam agreed with a shrug. He accidently bumped into Bip with a dull thud as he attempted
to climb past him into the co-pilot's chair. Bip shot him an agitated glance. Adam
shrugged again apoligetically and smiled sheepishly. Zot just grinned; however, this
time it appeared to be genuine.
"There are inhabitated countries on
either end of the planetoid," Zot continued to explain. "The percentage
of land to water and ice is about 50/50. Though only about half fo the planet is
livable at any one time, like I said earlier. The nomadic populace travels from pole
to pole with the seasons."
"Their year is equal to approximately
three earth years. They spend about 12 months at each pole. They spend about six
months migrating north, and another six months traveling back south. I know that
sounds like a long time, but to move a whole society takes a while."
"The people that live, work, and homestead on the planetoid came there from
various planetary civilizations around the galaxy. What has brought many of the more
recent settlers there is the fact that Arktos has vast quantities of rich mineral
and fuel deposits, which were discovered there some time ago. Many of these are owned
and operated bye descendants of the Diltz race who are green in color like me. The
planet was proven to be a virtual storehouse of precious metals, gems, and fuel ores
that are vital to the way of life for some societies on neighboring planets throughout
that part of the galaxy. Especially all types of industry."
"Legend
says that Arktos was originally settled by an ancient group of people who were marooned
there long ago, because the transportship they were on malfunctioned forcing them
to make an emergency landing. Since space travel was not as technically advanced
then as it is now, they were stranded on Arktos for a millenium before being rediscovered."
"These forgotten space travelers were forced to adopt the life of wandering
nomads. Most became either hunters or herdsmen. A few became transient farmers planting
seasonal crops at one pole and then the other. The livestock they raised came from
the animals that they brough with them. The rest were species indigenious to the
planet that could be domesticated and could offer either solid or liquid nourishment
and even provide clothing in some cases. The Arktosians never bothered to develop
the planetoid's goldmine of rich mineral deposits."
"One significant
item, I might add here, is that most of the original Arktosians are red violet in
hue with dark, indigo hair. Because of their coloring, these tribes became know as
Burgons which was due to the unusual, burgundy shade of their skin."
"Now, a third group of people migrated to Arktos after many of the factories,
mines, and drilling operations began to open up. Most of these folks were either
laborers or craftsmen. They manned the factories by repairing them and maintaining
them. Some of this group became small, independent merchants servicing the communities
that sprang up around the various industrial and manufacturing centers. It's interesting
to note that most of these people were blue like Yonk. They're known as Saffs."
"Over the years, many speculators, prospectors, wildcatters, and other adventurers
have flocked to Arktos in hopes of striking it rich. They continue to plunder the
planet for its vast wealth. Unlike the giant commercial firms, quite a few found
it difficult to come up with the large amounts of necessary initial capital it took
to explore and establish a profitable mine or drilling rig. Disillusioned and nearly
destitute, they had to provide for their families by taking up farming or ranching
in order to survive."
"Others who grew weary of the life of a miner
or roughneck also began to homestead the planet. Many of these farms and plantations
became large and successful."
"The Burgons, as a whole, never really
ever put down roots, but seemed content to be constantly on the move eking out a
living any way they could. However, the new breed of farmers and ranchers, who had
the latest technology and the training to use it, began to acquire large tracts of
land, which they had at both ends of Arktos."
"Eventually, the
Burgons found their existence made both easier and stabler by working for the corporations
in the mines, on the rigs, or in the factories. Some went to work on the plantations
or ranches, as well. Life for them became more than just surviving frome one day
to the next."
"Everything ran smoothly for a long time. That is,
until the Yorkins of the United Star Alliannce decided that they wanted the planet
and its fabulous wealth for themselves. The planet also has great strategic,
as well as, incredible material value," emphasized Zot.
"Who are
the Yorkins?" interrupted Adam.
Now that Adam has found out the starship was no apparition, he's about to find
out what Zot really wants? They continue on their way to the strange and beautiful
planet of Arktos, and Zot has some interesting information to share. What thrilling,
or maybe, chilling adventure waits for them there? Where's Yonk, for Pete's sake?
Tune in next time for the next installment.
For information on how to get
the first book of Adam of Antares see the ad in Magic Hairball.
Forty pages of intergalactic fun with over 20 black and white illustrations of Adam
and his pals. You also get free stickers for going on the trip with Adam as a little
souvenir when you buy his book. It's also now available from amazon.com
or on ebay. On ebay
there is not only the book with stickers, but also the book, stickers, and an official
t-shirt special package available.
Adam of Arcturus
Text
and illustrations copyright 1986 by Ron Ferguson
All rights reserved. This book,
or any part of this book, may not be used or produced in any form without written
permission from the publisher. The only exception would be the use of brief quotes
used in connection with reviews written specifically for inclusion in either magazines,
newspapers, or web pages.
ISBN: 0-9625606-2-6
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