One of the three strangers made a quick hand 
movement. The effect of this harmless looking gesture 
was, however, devastating. 
   In a fraction of a second chaos broke out within the 
Eagle. The heavy spaceship jerked and yawed, as if it 
had been seized by an enormous, cosmic fist. Only the 
fact that they were buckled, saved John Koenig and the 
pilot from being torn from their seats. Helena, who had 
stationed herself behind the Commander, could not 
maintain herself. With a brutal force, she was hurled 
against the plastic lining of a computer console. She 
knocked against it with her head and went down with a 
groan. 
   The on-board systems revved up. The grips of the 
control armatures moved in an erratic, wild dance. 
Alarm lamps flashed, and the warning sirens shrilled 
out. Sparks erupted from various units, and the smell of 
charred insulating material rose up into the Alphans 
noses. The automatic fire extinguisher system went into 
action, spitting white foam. 
   "Fly away!" instructed the Commander. He had to 
shout loudly, in order to be heard over the sound of the 
chaos on board. 
   Mark Macinlock acted fast. In flying haste, handicapped 
by the reeling movement of the ship, he made his way to 
the controls. 
   Too late! 
   "Commander!" he moaned under the suddenly 
piercing pressure. "The engines don't react. I don't get 
any thrust!" 
   John Koenig slammed a switch, which activated the 
auxillary power unit. 
   "And now?" 
   "Nothing!" the pilot groaned. 
   What had to happen, happened. Without energy,

11