I

The surface of the Moon was a landscape of endless, 
oppressive isolation. Everywhere, only jagged, sharp 
edged rock, whose repelling outlines had never been 
eroded by wind or water, enormous mountain rings, 
barrier walls and craters, employed like the stone sets 
of some absurd play, rubble and meteorite dust, which 
covered everything with its grey-black, cosmic shroud. 
Without light, without air, without warmth the dead 
scenery presented itself to the artificial eyes of the 
humans living under the lunar surface inside Moonbase 
Alpha. No living person could exist there, no primitively 
developed organism, no spore, no virus. 
   Therefore, the crew of the Command Center was all 
the more surprised as the detectors of one of the small 
monitoring satellites, which orbited the Moon in a 
circular trajectory, suddenly announced the discovery of 
a bioplasmic field. 
   Life. . .
   In a few instants the monitor, which showed in 
computer symbols on its view screen the unexpectedly 
discovered lifeform readings, was surrounded by confused 
and excitedly speaking Alphans. 
   Everyone let loose their astonishment. And as always 
in such cases, the most daring speculations stood
equal to the rational. Naturally, none of the ideas were 
based on any real information. 
   Commander Koenig pondered the problem with his 
own calm consideration. He could read the computer 
symbols too, but nevertheless, he considered it prudent 
to let the specialists deliver their judgment first. He 
looked on to Doctor Helena Russell, the chief of the 
Medical Department.

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