where the source of the puzzling life impulses were 
originating, did not differ from the wild, lifeless 
desert all around. No spaceship, no organism, no 
movement, only undisturbed rock and dust. 
   But nevertheless, something had to be there, 
something mysterious, unexplainable, which had
come out of nowhere. 
   The monitoring satellite continued to move on its 
circular path around the Moon, slowly losing the 
desired area from its artificial eyes. Soon its sensors 
were no longer able to catch the emissions of the 
unknown bioplasmic field. Gradually the discussions 
in the Command Center died down. The crew members 
had seen that they would get nowhere with assumptions 
and vague theories. Certainty was not to be gained in 
this manner. However the Alphans required certainty, 
because everything that happened on their rudderless 
Moon that was racing through space, directly affected 
their vital interests. 
   All eyes were directed toward John Koenig. He was 
the man who had to decide what would happen. 
   The Commander cleared his throat. 
   "Ready Eagle Three for launch on an investigation 
flight", he ordered with an imperturbable voice. 
   That in his heart everything else was not just as 
imperturbable, he could not let on. 

                         *

The outputs of the sensors pointed the way for the 
investigation ship. The desired location, which they 
wanted to explore, lay to the north of the Curtius ring 
mountains. 
   Mark Macinlock steered the ship with calm and 
experience. The pilot was the type of man that did not

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