• Bring Earthmen face-to-face with Zimbardo’s Superiors
• Relate how the pirates are brought to their last stand
• Introduce the spine-tingling new villain, Banjoman
• Describe flilox, the new threat to Mars
• Reveal the thrilling secret of the pirates’ asteroid
Here’s just a sample of action from the next Starman book, JOURNEY TO
THE TENTH PLANET:
The long journey was coming to an end. Pluto was about three and a half
billion miles from Earth, and the tenth planet was more than two billion
miles farther than that--but coming closer. Its figure-eight orbit
around the brown dwarf star Nemesis made it unique in the Solar System.
Now the Starventure was close enough that the tenth planet could be seen
with the unaided eye. Everyone aboard was positioned at a window in the
great cabin just behind the pilot’s console to view the bi-stellar
wanderer.
For moments no one said anything. The planet had been thoroughly
described to all of them, but no scientific description, no matter how
accurate, could have prepared them for the actuality.
“It looks as if it is made out of charcoal,” whispered Joe finally.
“Or obsidian,” contributed Mark in a subdued voice.
Before long, Joe brought the ship into a low orbit around the tenth
planet. Over 4,000 miles in diameter, it was everywhere foreboding,
sapping the spirit out of whoever looked upon it. The Starmen themselves
were depressed at the sight.
Only about 20% of the planet’s surface was anything near smooth, and the
smooth parts were scattered into many different, small areas. More than
half the terrain was comprised of jagged planes of crystallized
material, heaped together as if at random. The planet was covered with
sharp points and razor-thin ridges, scarred with tortuous narrow
canyons, and marked with pits and shadows--darkness upon darkness.
“Surface temperature?” asked Zip.
“Minus 342 degrees, just as Dr. O said,” answered Mark. “As we expected,
it has no atmosphere. Whatever atmosphere it has is frozen on the
surface of the planet.”
A man behind them choked. The fear in the room was palpable. There was
no logical reason for it, but the Starmen wouldn’t quibble with the crew
members.
“I don’t want to go down there,” said another in a hushed tone.
Now that the great ship had attained orbit, the time had come for Zip to
announce the name of the tenth planet. The name had been chosen months
earlier by Dr. O who had discovered it, and therefore had the right to
determine how it would be known throughout history.
Without any preamble, Zip retrieved the sealed envelope from the
Starventure’s safe. As he did so, the men gathered around him. He turned
and faced the crew. Glancing into their faces, he could almost feel
their apprehension.
“It’s only a planet,” he said, trying to sound normal. “It’s just stone
and ice such as we’ve seen in many other places of the Solar System.” He
tore open the envelope, unfolded the paper that was inside it, and
stared at what Dr. O had written.
“Well?” asked Joe.
“The planet’s name is Nyx. Dr. O named it after the Roman goddess of
night.”
“And somewhere down there we expect to find Lurton Zimbardo,” declared
Joe, more a statement than a question. He glanced almost casually out of
the window again. Suddenly he stiffened.
“What’s that?” he exclaimed.
“What’s what?” cried out Mark. Everyone rushed to the windows once
again.
“I saw a glint, down there, just beyond that high ridge. It’s gone now.”
“Check the video feed,” ordered Zip. Instantly the cabin was filled with
excitement.
* * * * *
Like it? Want to see how it comes out? Keep up with the latest news in
the Starman series by checking our web site regularly. Soon you’ll be
able to ask for JOURNEY TO THE TENTH PLANET by Michael D. Cooper.
You’ll be glad we told you about it!
http://www.StarmanSeries.com/