Star Challenge 01 - Planets in Peril

PLANETS
IN PERIL
Christopher Black
Illustrations by Maelo Cintron
A YEARLING BOOK
PLANETS
IN PERIL
Christopher Black
Illustrations by Maelo Cintron
A YEARLING BOOK
Published by RED ALERT!
Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
New York, Mew York 10017 You must not read this STAR CHALLENGE™
Copyright © 1984 by Megabooks, Inc.
ADVENTURE in the ordinary human way.
Star Challenge™ is a trademark of If you read the pages in order, the story will
Dell Publishing Co., Inc., New York, New York.
not compute. Instead, follow the directions on
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be the bottom of each page. Everything will depend
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording on the choices you make—each choice can
or by any information storage and retrieval system, lead you to a different STAR CHALLENGE™
without the written permission of the Publisher,
except where permitted by law. adventure.
Yearling ® TM 913705, Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
To help you along the way, you have a Task/
Operational Robot, Model 2. (Call him 2-Tor.)
ISBN: 0-440-46892-2
He can do amazing things—from warping you
Printed in the United States of America through space faster than the speed of light
First printing—July 1984 to talking with you through your mind.
CW
Each time you and 2-Tor complete a mission,
warp to page 115 to find out how you rate as
a Space Ace!
To begin your adventure, GO TO PAGE 1.
Published by RED ALERT!
Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza
New York, Mew York 10017 You must not read this STAR CHALLENGE™
Copyright © 1984 by Megabooks, Inc.
ADVENTURE in the ordinary human way.
Star Challenge™ is a trademark of If you read the pages in order, the story will
Dell Publishing Co., Inc., New York, New York.
not compute. Instead, follow the directions on
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be the bottom of each page. Everything will depend
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording on the choices you make—each choice can
or by any information storage and retrieval system, lead you to a different STAR CHALLENGE™
without the written permission of the Publisher,
except where permitted by law. adventure.
Yearling ® TM 913705, Dell Publishing Co., Inc.
To help you along the way, you have a Task/
Operational Robot, Model 2. (Call him 2-Tor.)
ISBN: 0-440-46892-2
He can do amazing things—from warping you
Printed in the United States of America through space faster than the speed of light
First printing—July 1984 to talking with you through your mind.
CW
Each time you and 2-Tor complete a mission,
warp to page 115 to find out how you rate as
a Space Ace!
To begin your adventure, GO TO PAGE 1.
1
WELCOME ABOARD!
The year is 2525 A.D., an age when mankind is

moving out among the stars.
You've just come aboard the space station Nebula,
home of the peacekeeping and investigation branch
of the NETWORK OF WORLDS. From this man-
made satellite you, as a Nebula operative, will go out
into the galaxy, taking care of trouble.
The Nebula's teleportation system can send you
anywhere in the galaxy, instantly. Or you can pilot
your own shuttle spacecraft, the Challenger. If you
need help at any time, feel free to send to the Nebula
for reinforcements.
Remember, the success or failure of your mission
(not to mention your own survival) will depend on
your choices. Successful Nebula operatives are peo-
ple who can make quick, thoughtful decisions.
Hurry! CAPTAIN POLARIS needs you!
GO TO PAGE 2.
1
WELCOME ABOARD!
The year is 2525 A.D., an age when mankind is

moving out among the stars.
You've just come aboard the space station Nebula,
home of the peacekeeping and investigation branch
of the NETWORK OF WORLDS. From this man-
made satellite you, as a Nebula operative, will go out
into the galaxy, taking care of trouble.
The Nebula's teleportation system can send you
anywhere in the galaxy, instantly. Or you can pilot
your own shuttle spacecraft, the Challenger. If you
need help at any time, feel free to send to the Nebula
for reinforcements.
Remember, the success or failure of your mission
(not to mention your own survival) will depend on
your choices. Successful Nebula operatives are peo-
ple who can make quick, thoughtful decisions.
Hurry! CAPTAIN POLARIS needs you!
GO TO PAGE 2.
2 3
You enter the nerve center of the Nebula and go up You and 2-Tor rush to the Teleportation Room, where
to the floating command chair, expecting to see Cap- you get ready to beam out on priority clearance. Sudden-
tain Polaris. But the chair is empty. ly a vidscreen comes to life, and Captain Polaris's face
"Come over here!" the captain orders. He is stand- appears.
ing by one of the thousands of vidscreens in the "Our deep-space communications net has picked
room. On the screen is a large space station against a up a message. Mindor-6, the nearest planet to Cosmos,
background of stars. "Recognize it?" Polaris asks. has been overrun. We have no other information."
"The Cosmos Industrial Station," you say. "Maybe it's Scarp, setting up an advance base to attack
"We have intelligence that Cosmos Station will be Cosmos," you say. "1 wonder if we should check it out"
attacked by the battle cruiser Darkstar. Maybe you
know of the cruiser's commander, Cypor Scarp," Polaris
says. "Ever since Scarp and his gang of galactic
misfits emerged from the Thonex star cluster, they've
destroyed seven worlds."
"Why attack Cosmos?" you ask.
"The station is developing a new person, the
Graviton."
You turn to 2-Tor. "Information."
2-Tor's silvery voice recites, "Research files class-
ified—Security Level Q-38 clearance." A click, then it
goes on. "Graviton increases planetary masses dramat-
ically. Tests show a 98.3% chance that it will turn
planets into black holes. Tough stuff, boss."
"A world-killing weapon!" you gasp.
"Your job is to keep it out of Scarp's hands!"
Polaris says.
Do you wish to warp directly to Cosmos? If so,
turn to page 78.
Would you rather take your shuttlecraft, the Challenger

and head for Mindor-6? If so,
Head for the Teleportation Room on page 3. turn to page 56.
2 3
You enter the nerve center of the Nebula and go up You and 2-Tor rush to the Teleportation Room, where
to the floating command chair, expecting to see Cap- you get ready to beam out on priority clearance. Sudden-
tain Polaris. But the chair is empty. ly a vidscreen comes to life, and Captain Polaris's face
"Come over here!" the captain orders. He is stand- appears.
ing by one of the thousands of vidscreens in the "Our deep-space communications net has picked
room. On the screen is a large space station against a up a message. Mindor-6, the nearest planet to Cosmos,
background of stars. "Recognize it?" Polaris asks. has been overrun. We have no other information."
"The Cosmos Industrial Station," you say. "Maybe it's Scarp, setting up an advance base to attack
"We have intelligence that Cosmos Station will be Cosmos," you say. "1 wonder if we should check it out"
attacked by the battle cruiser Darkstar. Maybe you
know of the cruiser's commander, Cypor Scarp," Polaris
says. "Ever since Scarp and his gang of galactic
misfits emerged from the Thonex star cluster, they've
destroyed seven worlds."
"Why attack Cosmos?" you ask.
"The station is developing a new person, the
Graviton."
You turn to 2-Tor. "Information."
2-Tor's silvery voice recites, "Research files class-
ified—Security Level Q-38 clearance." A click, then it
goes on. "Graviton increases planetary masses dramat-
ically. Tests show a 98.3% chance that it will turn
planets into black holes. Tough stuff, boss."
"A world-killing weapon!" you gasp.
"Your job is to keep it out of Scarp's hands!"
Polaris says.
Do you wish to warp directly to Cosmos? If so,
turn to page 78.
Would you rather take your shuttlecraft, the Challenger

and head for Mindor-6? If so,
Head for the Teleportation Room on page 3. turn to page 56.
4 5
You hold out a data chip in the palm of your hand,
"Only fools would choose to have their heads "Here it is." you say. "You'll find it quite detailed."
squeezed flatter than a Raxian panworm," says 2-Tor. But as Slee is about to snatch it from your hand,
"I'll talk," you shout. "Just let us out" The wall you let it drop to the floor. He bends down to pick
before you slides up with a clang. You find yourself the chip up and you give him a chop across the back
staring at the shining, scaly face of the fiendish Slee of his neck.
from Zard. Slee looks at your uniform, a smile slowly The tyrant drops, stunned, to the floor of the cell.
forming on his crooked, bony lips. Before he comes to, you and 2-Tor locate the cell
"All right, Nebula spy," he says. "Where is the data controls. You slam the door shut, trapping Slee inside.
chip with your orders?" "Signal Nebula that Slee from Zard has been cap-
tured," you say. "Mindor-6 is free."
You have completed your mission.

Report to the Nebula on page 115
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
Go to page 5.
4 5
You hold out a data chip in the palm of your hand,
"Only fools would choose to have their heads "Here it is." you say. "You'll find it quite detailed."
squeezed flatter than a Raxian panworm," says 2-Tor. But as Slee is about to snatch it from your hand,
"I'll talk," you shout. "Just let us out" The wall you let it drop to the floor. He bends down to pick
before you slides up with a clang. You find yourself the chip up and you give him a chop across the back
staring at the shining, scaly face of the fiendish Slee of his neck.
from Zard. Slee looks at your uniform, a smile slowly The tyrant drops, stunned, to the floor of the cell.
forming on his crooked, bony lips. Before he comes to, you and 2-Tor locate the cell
"All right, Nebula spy," he says. "Where is the data controls. You slam the door shut, trapping Slee inside.
chip with your orders?" "Signal Nebula that Slee from Zard has been cap-
tured," you say. "Mindor-6 is free."

Go to page 5.
6 7
Is the man really a criminal? Undecided, you watch "You must take the Graviton," the alien mumbles.
as the cyborg knocks the man cold with a single "Just be careful to take the right hatch. The wrong
burst from his blaster. hatch will lead to ..."
"It's good you didn't interfere," says the cyborg. "1 You shake the alien, but it's unconscious. You look
might have had to shoot you too." at the two round hatches set in the wall. One is
"We wouldn't have liked that," says 2-Tor. marked with the symbols meaning "exit" in Galactic
"Nor would my boss," says the cyborg. He pointed Interlanguage.
the blaster at you. "You two will make fine workers in The other hatch carries a strange symbol. You look
the kronium pits of Mindor. From now on you're the at 2-Tor. He rotates his head. No answer.
slaves of Slee from Zard."
"Slaves?" you say.
"Kronium pits?" says 2-Tor.
"Move!" says the cyborg.
ZAP!
If you choose to escape through

the hatch marked "Exit," turn to page 95.
If, however, you wish to go through

the strangely marked door,
turn to page 35.
6 7
Is the man really a criminal? Undecided, you watch "You must take the Graviton," the alien mumbles.
as the cyborg knocks the man cold with a single "Just be careful to take the right hatch. The wrong
burst from his blaster. hatch will lead to ..."
"It's good you didn't interfere," says the cyborg. "1 You shake the alien, but it's unconscious. You look
might have had to shoot you too." at the two round hatches set in the wall. One is
"We wouldn't have liked that," says 2-Tor. marked with the symbols meaning "exit" in Galactic
"Nor would my boss," says the cyborg. He pointed Interlanguage.
the blaster at you. "You two will make fine workers in The other hatch carries a strange symbol. You look
the kronium pits of Mindor. From now on you're the at 2-Tor. He rotates his head. No answer.
slaves of Slee from Zard."
"Slaves?" you say.
"Kronium pits?" says 2-Tor.
"Move!" says the cyborg.
ZAP!
If you choose to escape through

the hatch marked "Exit," turn to page 95.
If, however, you wish to go through

the strangely marked door,
turn to page 35.
8 9
2-Tor channels full power to your micro-pulser. You step through the charred entrance and into a
You aim and fire at the center of the panel. In a dark, windowless room. The place looks empty.
millisecond it heats white-hot, then explodes. "Everybody's gone," says Bishra.
The three of you step into the smoking room. You I he room suddenly fills with blinding light.
find that the blast has knocked out the cyborgs inside "Everybody's gone but us slave-catchers," some-
and shattered the teleporter controls. one cackles. "Slee will pay us a pretty googol for such
"This station will be out of commission for a long a fine bunch."
time," says 2-Tor. "Slee from Zard is in for a big "What's going on?" you ask desperately.
surprise." "They're going to sell us as slaves," Bishra says.
So are you. The blast brings more Zardian cyborgs. "I'm afraid we're heading for the mines."
They surround the building and fire a barrage of "But I'm a Nebula operative," you say. "I'm no
energy-bolts at you. Your shields flare as the heavy miner."
fire begins to overwhelm them. "Don't worry," laughs the slave-catcher. "You won't
"You've got to do something!" Calix yells. be a miner for long—no one survives more than a
"Just wait" You look at the sky. Starfighters swoop week."
down, blasting the cyborgs.
"A Nebula Attack Team. When they finish with the ZAP!
troops, they'll take Slee into custody." You laugh. "I
bet he didn't count on that when he made his plans."
2-Tor's yellow lights flash. "What he didn't count
on was meeting you, boss."

8 9
2-Tor channels full power to your micro-pulser. You step through the charred entrance and into a
You aim and fire at the center of the panel. In a dark, windowless room. The place looks empty.
millisecond it heats white-hot, then explodes. "Everybody's gone," says Bishra.
The three of you step into the smoking room. You I he room suddenly fills with blinding light.
find that the blast has knocked out the cyborgs inside "Everybody's gone but us slave-catchers," some-
and shattered the teleporter controls. one cackles. "Slee will pay us a pretty googol for such
"This station will be out of commission for a long a fine bunch."
time," says 2-Tor. "Slee from Zard is in for a big "What's going on?" you ask desperately.
surprise." "They're going to sell us as slaves," Bishra says.
So are you. The blast brings more Zardian cyborgs. "I'm afraid we're heading for the mines."
They surround the building and fire a barrage of "But I'm a Nebula operative," you say. "I'm no
energy-bolts at you. Your shields flare as the heavy miner."
fire begins to overwhelm them. "Don't worry," laughs the slave-catcher. "You won't
"You've got to do something!" Calix yells. be a miner for long—no one survives more than a
"Just wait" You look at the sky. Starfighters swoop week."
down, blasting the cyborgs.
"A Nebula Attack Team. When they finish with the ZAP!
troops, they'll take Slee into custody." You laugh. "I
bet he didn't count on that when he made his plans."
2-Tor's yellow lights flash. "What he didn't count
on was meeting you, boss."

10 11
You roll the Challenger 180 degrees and drop down You raise your arm, ready to squeeze off a pulse
under the massive Darkstar. from your micro-pulser. But before the thought can
"Let's aim for the nose of the ship," you say. "A travel from your brain, your pulser shatters into a
negatron missile will knock out the maneuvering million pieces.
thrusters." "Fight fair," says the woman. "No pulsers are
2-Tor beeps. "Okay, boss," he says. "But first we'd permitted. If you want to reach Andron-Poc, you'll first
better knock off that defense fighter they just launched. have to defeat me. Choose your weapon: laser sword
She's coming our way at near light-speed." or energy-net?"
You look about but don't see either the sword or
the net.
"I said choose!" she commands.
If you choose the net, turn to page 96.
Go to page 24. If you pick the sword, turn to page 34.

10 11
You roll the Challenger 180 degrees and drop down You raise your arm, ready to squeeze off a pulse
under the massive Darkstar. from your micro-pulser. But before the thought can
"Let's aim for the nose of the ship," you say. "A travel from your brain, your pulser shatters into a
negatron missile will knock out the maneuvering million pieces.
thrusters." "Fight fair," says the woman. "No pulsers are
2-Tor beeps. "Okay, boss," he says. "But first we'd permitted. If you want to reach Andron-Poc, you'll first
better knock off that defense fighter they just launched. have to defeat me. Choose your weapon: laser sword
She's coming our way at near light-speed." or energy-net?"
You look about but don't see either the sword or
the net.
"I said choose!" she commands.
If you choose the net, turn to page 96.
Go to page 24. If you pick the sword, turn to page 34.

12 13
You pick up the Cube in your claws and wing back A week passes. Nearly one hundred troops assem-
through the energy field. 2-Tor doesn't recognize you ble in the programming compound to try out their
in your new shape, but luckily, he sees the Cube. That new battle suits. As soon as the suits are on, you give
gives the robot a hint that you and the winged crea- them the signal to attack. They turn on the surprised
ture are connected. Then he makes a detailed scan of guards, overpowering them.
his language banks till he turns up one you both can Then you send your controlled cyborgs outside the
speak. compound. They march forward to destroy Slee's
Together you race out of the Forbidden City. The battle suit factory. The Zardian defense forces run.
waiting mutants are overjoyed. They take the Cube When that battle is over, you contact the Nebula for
and use its knowledge to turn you back to your reinforcements. Meanwhile your troops are busy de-
former self. "We're grateful to you for the Crystal ploying the orbital defense control bases.
Cube," they say. By the time Nebula Attack Teams arrive Zard is
"And I'm grateful for the knowledge in the Cube." defenseless. And Slee is a prisoner in his palace. All it
Even as you speak, your wings wither away to be cost you was four sleepless days and nights, control-
replaced by your familiar arms. ling your cyborgs.
In a brief ceremony the mutants make you and You look forward to a rest, but Captain Polaris has
2-Tor heroes of their new republic. other ideas. "We want you back on duty as soon as
2-Tor manages a subspace link with Nebula control. possible," he says.
You're heroes there, too. "1 guess we won't be getting much of a break," you
"Thought we'd lost you!" Captain Polaris says. "1 say to 2-Tor.
sent you some backup. They saved the Graviton, but He gives a happy whistle. "I wonder what kind of
couldn't find any trace of you. Sit tight We're organiz- adventure Polaris has waiting for us next, boss."
ing the rescue party right now."

L
12 13
You pick up the Cube in your claws and wing back A week passes. Nearly one hundred troops assem-
through the energy field. 2-Tor doesn't recognize you ble in the programming compound to try out their
in your new shape, but luckily, he sees the Cube. That new battle suits. As soon as the suits are on, you give
gives the robot a hint that you and the winged crea- them the signal to attack. They turn on the surprised
ture are connected. Then he makes a detailed scan of guards, overpowering them.
his language banks till he turns up one you both can Then you send your controlled cyborgs outside the
speak. compound. They march forward to destroy Slee's
Together you race out of the Forbidden City. The battle suit factory. The Zardian defense forces run.
waiting mutants are overjoyed. They take the Cube When that battle is over, you contact the Nebula for
and use its knowledge to turn you back to your reinforcements. Meanwhile your troops are busy de-
former self. "We're grateful to you for the Crystal ploying the orbital defense control bases.
Cube," they say. By the time Nebula Attack Teams arrive Zard is
"And I'm grateful for the knowledge in the Cube." defenseless. And Slee is a prisoner in his palace. All it
Even as you speak, your wings wither away to be cost you was four sleepless days and nights, control-
replaced by your familiar arms. ling your cyborgs.
In a brief ceremony the mutants make you and You look forward to a rest, but Captain Polaris has
2-Tor heroes of their new republic. other ideas. "We want you back on duty as soon as
2-Tor manages a subspace link with Nebula control. possible," he says.
You're heroes there, too. "1 guess we won't be getting much of a break," you
"Thought we'd lost you!" Captain Polaris says. "1 say to 2-Tor.
sent you some backup. They saved the Graviton, but He gives a happy whistle. "I wonder what kind of
couldn't find any trace of you. Sit tight We're organiz- adventure Polaris has waiting for us next, boss."
ing the rescue party right now."

L
14 15
The only thing you want to do on Zard is destroy You float silently through the airlock. Ahead is a
Slee's factory. Unfortunately that's not a job currently hatch, which you open. You step into a room with a
being offered. "We'll choose the chip room, whatever high silver dome. It's bare except for a single control
bank in the center of the room.
that is," you say. You turn to 2-Tor. "We got in slick as a Vegan
The cyborg guard leads you into a small room. He
prat-beast," you whisper.
points a strange-looking gun at you.
"We're making micro-microchips here," he says. Then you hear a booming voice. "Kneel down,
"So we need micro workers. Prepare to be shrunk!" Nebula slime. Prepare to meet the great and mighty
Before you can say a word, the cyborg sprays you Cypor Scarp."
and 2-Tor with the gun. You begin to shrink away like
a balloon with a slow leak.
Go to page 37. Go to page 18.

14 15
The only thing you want to do on Zard is destroy You float silently through the airlock. Ahead is a
Slee's factory. Unfortunately that's not a job currently hatch, which you open. You step into a room with a
being offered. "We'll choose the chip room, whatever high silver dome. It's bare except for a single control
bank in the center of the room.
that is," you say. You turn to 2-Tor. "We got in slick as a Vegan
The cyborg guard leads you into a small room. He
prat-beast," you whisper.
points a strange-looking gun at you.
"We're making micro-microchips here," he says. Then you hear a booming voice. "Kneel down,
"So we need micro workers. Prepare to be shrunk!" Nebula slime. Prepare to meet the great and mighty
Before you can say a word, the cyborg sprays you Cypor Scarp."
and 2-Tor with the gun. You begin to shrink away like
a balloon with a slow leak.
Go to page 37. Go to page 18.

16 17
With Darkstar's commander in your sights, all "I don't like the idea of giving up," you tell 2-Tor.
you can think of is trying to finish him off. You zero in "But in this case it could work to our advantage."
2-Tor whistles. "I hope you're right, boss."
on the battle cruiser's bridge. "Fire one!" A round of
You send out a white surrender flare and cut your
negatron missiles flashes at the battle cruiser.
But Scarp is not meekly sitting by. He's firing, too. engines.
His huge quark cannons are locked on your little ship. Before long the ugly face of Slee from Zard fills
your screen.
2-Tor's lights flash red. "There's no way we can slip
through this kind of firepower!" The ship's energy "I'm warping in to take over your ship," he says.
"And I'm bringing a squad of cyborg guards with me.
shields flare. They're heavily armed. So no tricks."
Your assault is doomed to failure. And you are just
"Everything is going our way," you say.
plain doomed. "It is?" 2-Tor squeals.
ZAP!
Go to page 83,
16 17
With Darkstar's commander in your sights, all "I don't like the idea of giving up," you tell 2-Tor.
you can think of is trying to finish him off. You zero in "But in this case it could work to our advantage."
2-Tor whistles. "I hope you're right, boss."
on the battle cruiser's bridge. "Fire one!" A round of
You send out a white surrender flare and cut your
negatron missiles flashes at the battle cruiser.
But Scarp is not meekly sitting by. He's firing, too. engines.
His huge quark cannons are locked on your little ship. Before long the ugly face of Slee from Zard fills
your screen.
2-Tor's lights flash red. "There's no way we can slip
through this kind of firepower!" The ship's energy "I'm warping in to take over your ship," he says.
"And I'm bringing a squad of cyborg guards with me.
shields flare. They're heavily armed. So no tricks."
Your assault is doomed to failure. And you are just
"Everything is going our way," you say.
plain doomed. "It is?" 2-Tor squeals.
ZAP!
Go to page 83,
18 19
A panel at the rear of the room slides open. Cypor
Scarp walks in. He's hardly the frightening creature
you were expecting. In fact, he's only three feet tall.
The only upsetting thing about him is his head. It's
egg-shaped, and half of it is nothing but scar tissue.
Somewhere in his career he met an unfriendly laser
beam.
"I'll take the Graviton now," he says. "Bring it to
me."
You grip the Graviton tightly. Suddenly you're taught
that size isn't everything. A beam of purple light, nearly
ultraviolet, flashes from Scarp's eye. The light somehow
snatches the Graviton right into Scarp's arms.
"Mice trick, eh?" Scarp removes the patch from his
other eyes. "Now feel the wrath of my eyes displacer."
You remember the nearby control bank.
If you decide to dive behind the controls,

turn to page 61.
If, instead, you want to team up with 2-Tor

and jump Scarp,
turn to page 71.
18 19
A panel at the rear of the room slides open. Cypor
Scarp walks in. He's hardly the frightening creature
you were expecting. In fact, he's only three feet tall.
The only upsetting thing about him is his head. It's
egg-shaped, and half of it is nothing but scar tissue.
Somewhere in his career he met an unfriendly laser
beam.
"I'll take the Graviton now," he says. "Bring it to
me."
You grip the Graviton tightly. Suddenly you're taught
that size isn't everything. A beam of purple light, nearly
ultraviolet, flashes from Scarp's eye. The light somehow
snatches the Graviton right into Scarp's arms.
"Mice trick, eh?" Scarp removes the patch from his
other eyes. "Now feel the wrath of my eyes displacer."
You remember the nearby control bank.
If you decide to dive behind the controls,

turn to page 61.
If, instead, you want to team up with 2-Tor

and jump Scarp,
turn to page 71.
20 21
You grab one of 2-Tor's claws and lead him into
The woman introduces herself as Bishra. She guides
the black, leafless forest.
you through the ruins of the capital until you come to
You look around. A sense of evil fills the landscape.
a low domed building with a blasted door. Even the air tastes odd—like metal. You touch a tree;
"That's strange," says Bishra. "The door wasn't
It crumbles into dark gray ash. "Charred in a nuclear
burned when 1 left here earlier." firestorm," 2-Tor says.
"Maybe we'd better not go in." 2-Tor clicks and
"Tor, let's get out of here." You must jump to
buzzes wildly. "There's a high probability it's a trap."
regain your balance as the ground shifts under your
But my friends in there may need me," Bishra says. feet. "Warp us home."
Your robot friend clicks and buzzes for a few
moments. "Sorry, boss, I have no idea where you are.
This planet isn't in my sector circuits."
You stare at the ruined countryside. "How can we
ever survive in a place like this?"
You can't. Moments later the charred earth opens
up. Screaming, you fall into the jaws of an under-
ground monster. It had been waiting for someone to
drop by. Unhappily, you and 2-Tor obliged.
ZAP!
If you decide to go in, turn to page 9.
If you wait outside while Bishra goes in alone,

turn to page 84.
20 21
You grab one of 2-Tor's claws and lead him into
The woman introduces herself as Bishra. She guides
the black, leafless forest.
you through the ruins of the capital until you come to
You look around. A sense of evil fills the landscape.
a low domed building with a blasted door. Even the air tastes odd—like metal. You touch a tree;
"That's strange," says Bishra. "The door wasn't
It crumbles into dark gray ash. "Charred in a nuclear
burned when 1 left here earlier." firestorm," 2-Tor says.
"Maybe we'd better not go in." 2-Tor clicks and
"Tor, let's get out of here." You must jump to
buzzes wildly. "There's a high probability it's a trap."
regain your balance as the ground shifts under your
But my friends in there may need me," Bishra says. feet. "Warp us home."
Your robot friend clicks and buzzes for a few
moments. "Sorry, boss, I have no idea where you are.
This planet isn't in my sector circuits."
You stare at the ruined countryside. "How can we
ever survive in a place like this?"
You can't. Moments later the charred earth opens
up. Screaming, you fall into the jaws of an under-
ground monster. It had been waiting for someone to
drop by. Unhappily, you and 2-Tor obliged.
ZAP!
If you decide to go in, turn to page 9.
If you wait outside while Bishra goes in alone,

turn to page 84.
22 23
"No time for the Cube now," you say. "That thing "I can only hold the energy field for a moment,
has given me enough trouble." then I'll have to recharge," 2-Tor says. A blue ray
A flap of wings brings you into the air, and through flashes from him and strikes the wall of fire. The ray
the hole in the flames. 2-Tor stands beyond. blazes a tunnel through the flames.
"Tor, it's me," you try to say. But the robot doesn't You take a deep breath and dash through the inferno.
understand your mutant screeches. Right now, he When you get to the other side, you see a shining
doesn't even want to learn. He's too busy wondering pillar. Sitting atop the column is a brick-sized hunk of
what happened to his friend inside the wall of fire. crystal. "The Crystal Cube of Knowledge!" you whisper.
After hours of circling 2-Tor, you give up hope. You Before you can seize the crystal, something moves.
take a sad backward look at 2-Tor, then you flap A small, glowing, slick-winged creature swoops down
away. You must find a new home, somewhere in the darting a stinger into your exposed hand. Instantly,
outlands of the mutant planet. the hand goes numb.
"Tor!" you shout. "Help me! What do I do now?
ZAP! How will I find a cure?"
You wait for a reply. None comes. The firestorm
has totally cut communications.
If you wait for the field to reopen

communications with 2-Tor,
turn to page 54.
If, however, you decide to take a chance

on yanking out the stinger,
turn to page 69.
22 23
"No time for the Cube now," you say. "That thing "I can only hold the energy field for a moment,
has given me enough trouble." then I'll have to recharge," 2-Tor says. A blue ray
A flap of wings brings you into the air, and through flashes from him and strikes the wall of fire. The ray
the hole in the flames. 2-Tor stands beyond. blazes a tunnel through the flames.
"Tor, it's me," you try to say. But the robot doesn't You take a deep breath and dash through the inferno.
understand your mutant screeches. Right now, he When you get to the other side, you see a shining
doesn't even want to learn. He's too busy wondering pillar. Sitting atop the column is a brick-sized hunk of
what happened to his friend inside the wall of fire. crystal. "The Crystal Cube of Knowledge!" you whisper.
After hours of circling 2-Tor, you give up hope. You Before you can seize the crystal, something moves.
take a sad backward look at 2-Tor, then you flap A small, glowing, slick-winged creature swoops down
away. You must find a new home, somewhere in the darting a stinger into your exposed hand. Instantly,
outlands of the mutant planet. the hand goes numb.
"Tor!" you shout. "Help me! What do I do now?
ZAP! How will I find a cure?"
You wait for a reply. None comes. The firestorm
has totally cut communications.
If you wait for the field to reopen

communications with 2-Tor,
turn to page 54.
If, however, you decide to take a chance

on yanking out the stinger,
turn to page 69.
24 25
"Fine," you say. "The faster she's coming in, the "By the asteroids of Katar ...!" you exclaim. Then
better." you freeze. A mysterious force has invaded your mind.
You jam your engines into reverse. In less than a Sight, hearing, touch disappear as the force moves
second the enemy craft passes over you. It couldn't along your brain paths. Even your memories are in-
even get off a shot. vaded and probed.
"Fire!" Your negatron missile catches the enemy At last the voice speaks again. "You may pass and
fighter from behind. A bright flash, then it's gone. claim the Crystal Cube. I know you will use it wisely."
Now you attack the Darkstar itself. Your shots knock You leave the city with the Crystal Cube. The mu-
out the battle cruiser's maneuvering jets. Darkstar is tant citizens greet you as a hero. "Stay and help us
helpless to defend herself. rebuild our world!" they beg.
In moments a surrender flare shoots from the bridge All this flatters you, but you refuse. You and 2-Tor
of the ship. Your skill and bravery has defeated Scarp's must return to the Nebula. First and foremost, you're
dreams of conquest. Nebula operatives. Your destinies lie with the stars.
You smile at 2-Tor. Yellow lights flicker on the
robot "Good work, boss. What next?"
You have completed your mission. You have completed your mission.
Report to the Nebula on page 115 Report to the Nebula on page 115
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace. to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
24 25
"Fine," you say. "The faster she's coming in, the "By the asteroids of Katar ...!" you exclaim. Then
better." you freeze. A mysterious force has invaded your mind.
You jam your engines into reverse. In less than a Sight, hearing, touch disappear as the force moves
second the enemy craft passes over you. It couldn't along your brain paths. Even your memories are in-
even get off a shot. vaded and probed.
"Fire!" Your negatron missile catches the enemy At last the voice speaks again. "You may pass and
fighter from behind. A bright flash, then it's gone. claim the Crystal Cube. I know you will use it wisely."
Now you attack the Darkstar itself. Your shots knock You leave the city with the Crystal Cube. The mu-
out the battle cruiser's maneuvering jets. Darkstar is tant citizens greet you as a hero. "Stay and help us
helpless to defend herself. rebuild our world!" they beg.
In moments a surrender flare shoots from the bridge All this flatters you, but you refuse. You and 2-Tor
of the ship. Your skill and bravery has defeated Scarp's must return to the Nebula. First and foremost, you're
dreams of conquest. Nebula operatives. Your destinies lie with the stars.
You smile at 2-Tor. Yellow lights flicker on the
robot "Good work, boss. What next?"
26 27
"1 think the squares with the vertical stripes are You ready your suit's thrusters and make the leap
solid," you say. through the firestorm. The next to last thing you hear
"I'll take your word for it, boss." 2-Tor gives two is 2-Tor's voice. "Too thick, boss!" he says.
clicks and a buzz. "I just hope you have a good The last thing you hear is this sound: SIZZLE!
memory."
Fortunately you do. The squares hold. You hop to ZAP!
safety on the far side of the checkerboard.
Later you channel the rest of 2-Tor's energy into
his transmitter and send a message to the Nebula.
"I'll tell them our coordinates. Then they can come
and rescue us," says 2-Tor.
"Let's not forget to tell them about Mindor-6. That
way, we can defeat Slee's plans too," you add.
Captain Polaris himself gets on the communica-
tions link. "We'll take care of Slee," he says.
"Good," you say. "Just don't forget to take care of
us too."
"Don't worry about that," says Polaris. "We'd never
leave top aces like you and 2-Tor stranded. See you
soon."
"Very soon, I hope," you say. "I'm ready to get
home."

26 27
"1 think the squares with the vertical stripes are You ready your suit's thrusters and make the leap
solid," you say. through the firestorm. The next to last thing you hear
"I'll take your word for it, boss." 2-Tor gives two is 2-Tor's voice. "Too thick, boss!" he says.
clicks and a buzz. "I just hope you have a good The last thing you hear is this sound: SIZZLE!
memory."
Fortunately you do. The squares hold. You hop to ZAP!
safety on the far side of the checkerboard.
Later you channel the rest of 2-Tor's energy into
his transmitter and send a message to the Nebula.
"I'll tell them our coordinates. Then they can come
and rescue us," says 2-Tor.
"Let's not forget to tell them about Mindor-6. That
way, we can defeat Slee's plans too," you add.
Captain Polaris himself gets on the communica-
tions link. "We'll take care of Slee," he says.
"Good," you say. "Just don't forget to take care of
us too."
"Don't worry about that," says Polaris. "We'd never
leave top aces like you and 2-Tor stranded. See you
soon."
"Very soon, I hope," you say. "I'm ready to get
home."

28 29
You knock on the panel. Before long one of the You and 2-Tor learn quickly. Soon you're assem-
square-headed cyborgs opens it up. bling tiny circuit boards all by yourselves. But all the
"Slee sent us," you say in your most official-sounding circuits you work on don't go to Slee's battle suits.
voice. "We're here to inspect the teleporter." 2-Tor once worked in the Quantum Maximizer Plant
"Slee from Zard?" says the cyborg. on the Nebula. During the next three weeks he builds
"That's right, crater brain, Slee from Zard," you say. a booster. Now you can tap into Nebula's deep-space
"Out of our way." communications net.
You enter the room. Then you realize that you are You let Nebula know the coordinates of Slee's
the dummy. Inside sits a scaly, green-faced creature— factory. Then you give your microscopic location.
Slee from Zard. In a matter of days a Nebula Attack Team has
"Seize them, master!" Calix Dune cries. "They're taken the planet You're rescued from the miniature
Nebula spies." factory.
"Oh, no!" says 2-Tor. His red lights are going Captured cyborgs restored you and 2-Tor to your
full-blast. natural sizes. "You may have been small, but you did
Two cyborgs seize you by the arms. "Throw those a big job," says the Attack Team commander. "I'm
two in with the kronium," says Slee. "We'll warp them sure you'll get quite a welcome back at the Nebula.
to Zard. They'll help us build the battle suits." Congratulations from all of us."

Go to page 102. to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
28 29
You knock on the panel. Before long one of the You and 2-Tor learn quickly. Soon you're assem-
square-headed cyborgs opens it up. bling tiny circuit boards all by yourselves. But all the
"Slee sent us," you say in your most official-sounding circuits you work on don't go to Slee's battle suits.
voice. "We're here to inspect the teleporter." 2-Tor once worked in the Quantum Maximizer Plant
"Slee from Zard?" says the cyborg. on the Nebula. During the next three weeks he builds
"That's right, crater brain, Slee from Zard," you say. a booster. Now you can tap into Nebula's deep-space
"Out of our way." communications net.
You enter the room. Then you realize that you are You let Nebula know the coordinates of Slee's
the dummy. Inside sits a scaly, green-faced creature— factory. Then you give your microscopic location.
Slee from Zard. In a matter of days a Nebula Attack Team has
"Seize them, master!" Calix Dune cries. "They're taken the planet You're rescued from the miniature
Nebula spies." factory.
"Oh, no!" says 2-Tor. His red lights are going Captured cyborgs restored you and 2-Tor to your
full-blast. natural sizes. "You may have been small, but you did
Two cyborgs seize you by the arms. "Throw those a big job," says the Attack Team commander. "I'm
two in with the kronium," says Slee. "We'll warp them sure you'll get quite a welcome back at the Nebula.
to Zard. They'll help us build the battle suits." Congratulations from all of us."

30 31
Send a message to the Nebula. "Someone is in big The terrible force pressed down on your head with
trouble," you shout at 2-Tor. You both dash for the blinding pain. "I'm a Network operative. You'll not get
silver hatch.
a word out of me, Slee from Zard!"
"I hope we're in time to save the day." 2-Tor's red Unfortunately no one will ever get anything out of
lights flash. you, ever again. The force increases pitilessly until
Inside, you can't believe your eyes. An eight-foot you black out, never to awaken.
creature with bristling neon hair struggles with a terri- Later, some may applaud your stand. They'd call
fied human in a white lab coat. The creature's toothy you brave and defiant. Others are less generous. They
jaw juts out as it strangles the man. They're both bent would call your actions stupid and stubborn. You
over a portable teleporter device. won't care. You'll never hear the praises—or criticism.
"Stop him! Stop him!" screams the man. "We can't
let him get control of the teleporter! He'll beam the ZAP!
rest of Scarp's men onto the station!"
Go to page 58.
30 31
Send a message to the Nebula. "Someone is in big The terrible force pressed down on your head with
trouble," you shout at 2-Tor. You both dash for the blinding pain. "I'm a Network operative. You'll not get
silver hatch.
a word out of me, Slee from Zard!"
"I hope we're in time to save the day." 2-Tor's red Unfortunately no one will ever get anything out of
lights flash. you, ever again. The force increases pitilessly until
Inside, you can't believe your eyes. An eight-foot you black out, never to awaken.
creature with bristling neon hair struggles with a terri- Later, some may applaud your stand. They'd call
fied human in a white lab coat. The creature's toothy you brave and defiant. Others are less generous. They
jaw juts out as it strangles the man. They're both bent would call your actions stupid and stubborn. You
over a portable teleporter device. won't care. You'll never hear the praises—or criticism.
"Stop him! Stop him!" screams the man. "We can't
let him get control of the teleporter! He'll beam the ZAP!
rest of Scarp's men onto the station!"
Go to page 58.
32 33
"Slee wants our kronium," says the woman. "Mindor
-6 has the galaxy's richest deposits. Slee seized our
mines. He beams the kronium back to his home
planet, Zard, to make computerized battle suits for his
soldiers. Then he plans to use them to conquer the
galaxy."
"We have to get word to the Nebula," you tell
2-Tor.
"Right, boss." The robot whistles. "Slee must be
stopped, and soon. We can't let him assemble that
battle force."
Just then you hear the sound of marching feet.
2-Tor's red lights begin to flash.
"Hurry," says the woman. "Come with me. I'll take you
to the rebel base. With your help, we can defeat Slee."
If you choose to follow the woman, turn to page 20.
If, instead, you choose to return to the Challenger

to contact the Nebula,
turn to page 112.
32 33
"Slee wants our kronium," says the woman. "Mindor
-6 has the galaxy's richest deposits. Slee seized our
mines. He beams the kronium back to his home
planet, Zard, to make computerized battle suits for his
soldiers. Then he plans to use them to conquer the
galaxy."
"We have to get word to the Nebula," you tell
2-Tor.
"Right, boss." The robot whistles. "Slee must be
stopped, and soon. We can't let him assemble that
battle force."
Just then you hear the sound of marching feet.
2-Tor's red lights begin to flash.
"Hurry," says the woman. "Come with me. I'll take you
to the rebel base. With your help, we can defeat Slee."
If you choose to follow the woman, turn to page 20.
If, instead, you choose to return to the Challenger

to contact the Nebula,
turn to page 112.
34 35
"A sword," you say. Instantly a golden laser-sword You pull open the mysterious hatch. Instantly, you're
appears in your hand. For a moment you are lost in sucked out in a huge whoosh. You hurtle down a
wonder, but the woman's attack snaps you back to tunnel of pulsing green and yellow light.
reality. She slices the air with her powerful weapon. "Great Galaxy!" you exclaim. "A wormhole! I'm being
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" she asks, pulled into another universe."
sneering. You must have stumbled onto a Cosmos experi-
The laser-sword flares to life in your hand. You ment on dimensional transference. Your head throbs.
realize you've made a bad choice of weapons. This is You feel as though you're being turned inside-out Then
the first time you've even held a weapon like this. And the wormhole dissolves.
now you have to defend yourself with it. You're in another universe where everything is
"No," you whisper. "I don't think I can defeat you." reversed. Stars are black. The sky is bright white. You
And you can't. A powerful blow from the woman's look about, and you have no way home. Loneliness
sword slices into the staircase. It slashes away the grips your heart.
stair you stand on. You go tumbling down. Down into Then the green and yellow wormhole pulses into
the depths, down into darkness. Down, down, down, being again. A figure appears. It's 2-Tor!
to an uncertain fate. "Grab on, boss," he says. "Only one chance to
catch a return ride." One hand holds the Graviton.
ZAP! Your other hand grabs 2-Tor's claw. Together, you
rocket into the pulsing light. When your pounding
head clears, you're back on Cosmos. "Warp to the
Nebula!" you command.
As soon as Polaris hears your report, he sends
Attack Squads to Cosmos Station.
"The raiders will get a big surprise, boss." 2-Tor's
yellow lights flash. "And we saved the Graviton!"

34 35
"A sword," you say. Instantly a golden laser-sword You pull open the mysterious hatch. Instantly, you're
appears in your hand. For a moment you are lost in sucked out in a huge whoosh. You hurtle down a
wonder, but the woman's attack snaps you back to tunnel of pulsing green and yellow light.
reality. She slices the air with her powerful weapon. "Great Galaxy!" you exclaim. "A wormhole! I'm being
"Do you really think you can defeat me?" she asks, pulled into another universe."
sneering. You must have stumbled onto a Cosmos experi-
The laser-sword flares to life in your hand. You ment on dimensional transference. Your head throbs.
realize you've made a bad choice of weapons. This is You feel as though you're being turned inside-out Then
the first time you've even held a weapon like this. And the wormhole dissolves.
now you have to defend yourself with it. You're in another universe where everything is
"No," you whisper. "I don't think I can defeat you." reversed. Stars are black. The sky is bright white. You
And you can't. A powerful blow from the woman's look about, and you have no way home. Loneliness
sword slices into the staircase. It slashes away the grips your heart.
stair you stand on. You go tumbling down. Down into Then the green and yellow wormhole pulses into
the depths, down into darkness. Down, down, down, being again. A figure appears. It's 2-Tor!
to an uncertain fate. "Grab on, boss," he says. "Only one chance to
catch a return ride." One hand holds the Graviton.
ZAP! Your other hand grabs 2-Tor's claw. Together, you
rocket into the pulsing light. When your pounding
head clears, you're back on Cosmos. "Warp to the
Nebula!" you command.
As soon as Polaris hears your report, he sends
Attack Squads to Cosmos Station.
"The raiders will get a big surprise, boss." 2-Tor's
yellow lights flash. "And we saved the Graviton!"

36 37
"Most animals can't stand high-pitched sounds," The guard disappears from view above. But a new
you reason. "That should work here." scene comes into focus down below. You're shrinking
2-Tor unleashes a high-pitched whine. It goes up down into a miniature factory. It has equipment,
into the ultrasonic range. The creature takes one step furniture, and, you soon discover, bosses.
forward, then two. Then it leaps. You'd think 2-Tor "Welcome to the chip room." A flap-eared woman with
was saying "Charge!" a pointed chin grabs your arm. "You'll work over here."
The last thing you see is a mouthful of shining She leads you to a long bench. Scores of other
teeth. You should have expected the animal to act creatures solder wires to plastic boards.
abnormally. After all, it's a mutant—an abnormal "Do your job well and we'll let you live," she says.
animal. "Mess up, and we'll feed you to the Zardian arthropod.
We keep it next door."
ZAP! When the woman leaves, you turn to 2-Tor. "Call
the Nebula for help. We need some assistance."
"Sorry, boss," says 2-Tor. "At this size, my signal
will hardly reach across the room. We're on our own."
"Then let's head out that door over there," you say.
"1 don't know." 2-Tor's blue lights flash. "Almost
anything could be behind that door."
If you choose to stay on the job, turn to page 29.
If you want to take your chances on

the other side of the door,
turn to page 73.
36 37
"Most animals can't stand high-pitched sounds," The guard disappears from view above. But a new
you reason. "That should work here." scene comes into focus down below. You're shrinking
2-Tor unleashes a high-pitched whine. It goes up down into a miniature factory. It has equipment,
into the ultrasonic range. The creature takes one step furniture, and, you soon discover, bosses.
forward, then two. Then it leaps. You'd think 2-Tor "Welcome to the chip room." A flap-eared woman with
was saying "Charge!" a pointed chin grabs your arm. "You'll work over here."
The last thing you see is a mouthful of shining She leads you to a long bench. Scores of other
teeth. You should have expected the animal to act creatures solder wires to plastic boards.
abnormally. After all, it's a mutant—an abnormal "Do your job well and we'll let you live," she says.
animal. "Mess up, and we'll feed you to the Zardian arthropod.
We keep it next door."
ZAP! When the woman leaves, you turn to 2-Tor. "Call
the Nebula for help. We need some assistance."
"Sorry, boss," says 2-Tor. "At this size, my signal
will hardly reach across the room. We're on our own."
"Then let's head out that door over there," you say.
"1 don't know." 2-Tor's blue lights flash. "Almost
anything could be behind that door."
If you choose to stay on the job, turn to page 29.
If you want to take your chances on

the other side of the door,
turn to page 73.
38 39
Before the cyborg can get off a shot, you fire a Calix leads you over to the windowless, one—story
short pulse. It drops him to the hot sands of Mindor. teleporter complex.
"Thank you," says the robed man. "I am Calix "The dome over there is the command center,"
Dune. Horrible things are happening here on Mindor. says Calix. "You should find Slee just inside."
You must help us." "And where are the teleporter controls?" you ask.
Calix goes on. "The planet has been overrun by the "They're in the main building itself," he says. "But
infamous Slee from Zard, scaly-faced son of a be careful. Those controls are heavily guarded."
sunworm. Slee has enslaved his planet. Now he's
trying ours.
"Slee forces our citizens to mine the rich deposits
of kronium ..."
2-Tor breaks in. "A rare metal necessary in making
battle suits. We've had reports that Slee is building
such computer-driven space armor. He wants to out-
fit his whole cyborg army with them."
"Slee has been beaming the kronium back to Zard,
his home planet. He's assembling the suits and his
army there," Calix Dune continues.
"We've got to destroy that teleporter," you say.
"How can we get to it?"
Do you want to go after Slee? If so, turn to page 94.
Would you rather knock out the teleporter? If so,

Go to page 39. turn to page 43.
38 39
Before the cyborg can get off a shot, you fire a Calix leads you over to the windowless, one—story
short pulse. It drops him to the hot sands of Mindor. teleporter complex.
"Thank you," says the robed man. "I am Calix "The dome over there is the command center,"
Dune. Horrible things are happening here on Mindor. says Calix. "You should find Slee just inside."
You must help us." "And where are the teleporter controls?" you ask.
Calix goes on. "The planet has been overrun by the "They're in the main building itself," he says. "But
infamous Slee from Zard, scaly-faced son of a be careful. Those controls are heavily guarded."
sunworm. Slee has enslaved his planet. Now he's
trying ours.
"Slee forces our citizens to mine the rich deposits
of kronium ..."
2-Tor breaks in. "A rare metal necessary in making
battle suits. We've had reports that Slee is building
such computer-driven space armor. He wants to out-
fit his whole cyborg army with them."
"Slee has been beaming the kronium back to Zard,
his home planet. He's assembling the suits and his
army there," Calix Dune continues.
"We've got to destroy that teleporter," you say.
"How can we get to it?"
Do you want to go after Slee? If so, turn to page 94.
Would you rather knock out the teleporter? If so,

40 41
Your vidscreen suddenly fills with the slick, scaly The two bubble-headed guards lead you away.
face of Slee from Zard. 2-Tor turns to you, his volume low. "I've beamed an
"So, you've been spying on me." He scowls. "The SOS to the Nebula. They should be on their way soon."
game is up. And you're going down." "It had better be faster than soon," you whisper.
You see a starblaster being lowered beneath his "I'm not looking forward to meeting Scarp's Rorvian
ship. "We've got to get out of here, boss," 2-Tor Pest."
squeals. His red lights flash like mad. "Our shuttle "Don't want to meet it?" One of the guards starts
doesn't stand a chance against that blaster." laughing. "Maybe you'd rather share a room with the
Aflame Hyrex. It's in the cell over there."
"We're feeling generous. Take your choice," says
the other guard. "The Hyrex or the Pest? The Pest is
in the cell down the hall."
If you choose to meet the Rorvian Pest,

turn to page 62.
If you choose to turn and run, turn to page 68. If you'd rather take your chances in the cell
with the Aflame Hyrex,
If you want to stand and fight, turn to page 90. turn to page 76.
40 41
Your vidscreen suddenly fills with the slick, scaly The two bubble-headed guards lead you away.
face of Slee from Zard. 2-Tor turns to you, his volume low. "I've beamed an
"So, you've been spying on me." He scowls. "The SOS to the Nebula. They should be on their way soon."
game is up. And you're going down." "It had better be faster than soon," you whisper.
You see a starblaster being lowered beneath his "I'm not looking forward to meeting Scarp's Rorvian
ship. "We've got to get out of here, boss," 2-Tor Pest."
squeals. His red lights flash like mad. "Our shuttle "Don't want to meet it?" One of the guards starts
doesn't stand a chance against that blaster." laughing. "Maybe you'd rather share a room with the
Aflame Hyrex. It's in the cell over there."
"We're feeling generous. Take your choice," says
the other guard. "The Hyrex or the Pest? The Pest is
in the cell down the hall."
If you choose to meet the Rorvian Pest,

turn to page 62.
If you choose to turn and run, turn to page 68. If you'd rather take your chances in the cell
with the Aflame Hyrex,
If you want to stand and fight, turn to page 90. turn to page 76.
42 43
You grasp the force-rope and yell, "Haul away!" You walk over to the main building. "Let's go for
The hooded stranger gives a jerk. Moments later the teleporter control center," you say. You try the
you arrive at a low-ceilinged room high in the tower. door, but it won't slide open.
A dozen fanged, snout-nosed creatures sit against "We could knock on the panel and pretend to be
the back wall. Each one of them is smiling. 2-Tor is some of Slee's cyborgs," suggests Calix. "That will
nowhere to be seen. get us inside. Then we can take them by surprise."
You get a creepy feeling that something is about "Why not blast our way in?" you say. "1 admit it
to go terribly wrong. may be crude. But it might be effective."
If you decide to blow away the

panel with your micropulser,
turn to page 8.
If, instead, you elect to talk your way in,

42 43
You grasp the force-rope and yell, "Haul away!" You walk over to the main building. "Let's go for
The hooded stranger gives a jerk. Moments later the teleporter control center," you say. You try the
you arrive at a low-ceilinged room high in the tower. door, but it won't slide open.
A dozen fanged, snout-nosed creatures sit against "We could knock on the panel and pretend to be
the back wall. Each one of them is smiling. 2-Tor is some of Slee's cyborgs," suggests Calix. "That will
nowhere to be seen. get us inside. Then we can take them by surprise."
You get a creepy feeling that something is about "Why not blast our way in?" you say. "1 admit it
to go terribly wrong. may be crude. But it might be effective."
If you decide to blow away the

panel with your micropulser,
turn to page 8.
If, instead, you elect to talk your way in,

44
2-Tor broadcasts an insult in the Hyrex's language.
Before long you hear the flaming creature crawling
through the duct.
"Now!" you tell 2-Tor. "Move it!"
The two of you scamper through the duct. Ahead is
a small airlock. You open the airlock hatch, and the
vacuum of space pulls you from the ship.
Floating free, you see the Nebula fighter fleet hur-
tling to your rescue. You quickly warp aboard the
command ship. Just as you reach the control room,
you see the Darkstar explode.
As you watch the glowing wreckage of the Darkstar
twinkling in the void, a hand grips your shoulder. You
turn to see the smiling face of Captain Polaris.
"I just wanted to come out and congratulate you.
Nebula is very proud of you and 2-Tor," he says.
"When you return, the Network's bravery award will
be waiting for you. You've more than earned ft." 2-Tor's
yellow lights flash on and off.

44
2-Tor broadcasts an insult in the Hyrex's language.
Before long you hear the flaming creature crawling
through the duct.
"Now!" you tell 2-Tor. "Move it!"
The two of you scamper through the duct. Ahead is
a small airlock. You open the airlock hatch, and the
vacuum of space pulls you from the ship.
Floating free, you see the Nebula fighter fleet hur-
tling to your rescue. You quickly warp aboard the
command ship. Just as you reach the control room,
you see the Darkstar explode.
As you watch the glowing wreckage of the Darkstar
twinkling in the void, a hand grips your shoulder. You
turn to see the smiling face of Captain Polaris.
"I just wanted to come out and congratulate you.
Nebula is very proud of you and 2-Tor," he says.
"When you return, the Network's bravery award will
be waiting for you. You've more than earned ft." 2-Tor's
yellow lights flash on and off.

46 47
Slee's teleporter begins to break you into You open the door. A hairless creature with limp
atoms. But 2-Tor programs in a new code. ears rushes away from you. It seems to be heading
"We'll get a free ride from Slee." 2-Tor beeps for some round hatches in the far wall of the room.
worriedly. "I just hope we end up back at the Nebula." Then you see the glowing metal pyramid it carries. A
Next thing you know, you've been reassembled on formula engraved in the metal tells you this is the
an icy plain. Two red suns beam down on you. Graviton.
"This isn't the Nebula, Short Circuit," you say. "And "Hold it!" you shout. Your micro-pulser comes up,
it isn't Zard either." set for STUN.
But 2-Tor isn't there. All you see is a tall black and
crystal tower on the horizon. Right then, a pink SOS
flare flies from its top.
"It's 2-Tor," you say. "And in trouble."
Co to page 111. Go to page 80.

46 47
Slee's teleporter begins to break you into You open the door. A hairless creature with limp
atoms. But 2-Tor programs in a new code. ears rushes away from you. It seems to be heading
"We'll get a free ride from Slee." 2-Tor beeps for some round hatches in the far wall of the room.
worriedly. "I just hope we end up back at the Nebula." Then you see the glowing metal pyramid it carries. A
Next thing you know, you've been reassembled on formula engraved in the metal tells you this is the
an icy plain. Two red suns beam down on you. Graviton.
"This isn't the Nebula, Short Circuit," you say. "And "Hold it!" you shout. Your micro-pulser comes up,
it isn't Zard either." set for STUN.
But 2-Tor isn't there. All you see is a tall black and
crystal tower on the horizon. Right then, a pink SOS
flare flies from its top.
"It's 2-Tor," you say. "And in trouble."
Co to page 111. Go to page 80.

48 49
"Once we had a great civilization," the mutant "Programming section?" you say.
woman says. "But that was generations ago. Nuclear "Right this way." Cyborg guards march you through
war destroyed everything. Radiation killed or mutated the battle suit factory.
all living things on our planet. One thing can save You're chained to a computer terminal where cy-
us—the Crystal Cube of Knowledge. It's in the heart borgs guard you night and day. The instructions you
of the Forbidden City. If we had it, we'd have the punch in will operate the suits in their coming battles.
knowledge we need to rebuild." Not only that, they'll control the cyborg troops as well.
"Well," you ask. "Why don't you go in and get it?" Luckily you've had a little programming experience,
"It's the Forbidden City," she says. "Forbidden to so you start playing with the codes. A new routine
us. Mutant monsters have killed everyone we've sent in. goes into the programs. Now the cyborgs won't re-
Please, visitors from the stars, won't you save our planet?" spond to Slee and his henchmen. You've programmed
The scientist shakes his head. The neon-haired them to respond only to your commands.
creature turns off its glow. You and 2-Tor look at
each other. Now what?
If you decide to ignore the plea and head into the

wilderness, turn to page 21.
If, however, you wish to aid the people by

going after the Cube of Knowledge,
turn to page 105. Go to page 13.
48 49
"Once we had a great civilization," the mutant "Programming section?" you say.
woman says. "But that was generations ago. Nuclear "Right this way." Cyborg guards march you through
war destroyed everything. Radiation killed or mutated the battle suit factory.
all living things on our planet. One thing can save You're chained to a computer terminal where cy-
us—the Crystal Cube of Knowledge. It's in the heart borgs guard you night and day. The instructions you
of the Forbidden City. If we had it, we'd have the punch in will operate the suits in their coming battles.
knowledge we need to rebuild." Not only that, they'll control the cyborg troops as well.
"Well," you ask. "Why don't you go in and get it?" Luckily you've had a little programming experience,
"It's the Forbidden City," she says. "Forbidden to so you start playing with the codes. A new routine
us. Mutant monsters have killed everyone we've sent in. goes into the programs. Now the cyborgs won't re-
Please, visitors from the stars, won't you save our planet?" spond to Slee and his henchmen. You've programmed
The scientist shakes his head. The neon-haired them to respond only to your commands.
creature turns off its glow. You and 2-Tor look at
each other. Now what?
If you decide to ignore the plea and head into the

wilderness, turn to page 21.
If, however, you wish to aid the people by

going after the Cube of Knowledge,
turn to page 105. Go to page 13.
50 51
You and 2-Tor scurry through the duct. Your robot Before long you're at the familiar controls of the
friend finds a maintenance hatch which leads to the Challenger. You prepare your shuttlecraft for battle as
outside of the ship. Yanking open the hatch, you the rest of the Nebula force engages the Darkstar.
allow yourself to be pulled into the vacuum of space. "They're no match for the Darkstar's quark can-
A few blasts from your suit thrusters take you be- nons!" you exclaim. The enemy battle cruiser has
neath the Darkstar, near the huge ship's lifting struts. already picked off three Nebula starfighters.
"Look!" 2-Tor points a claw. A fleet of gull-winged You focus your scanners on the Darkstar's bridge.
fighters streaks toward you. "It's the Nebula Attack Cypor Scarp, now in armor, directs the battle. "I'm
Team 1 called for." tempted to dive-bomb that bridge," you tell 2-Tor.
"Good work, Tor. They've brought the Challenger," "The Darkstar's underbelly is exposed." 2-Tor's green
you exclaim. "Have them warp us aboard. I'd like lights flash on and off. "It offers an excellent target."
another chance at Mr. Scarp."
If you choose to attack the bridge, turn to page 97.
Go to page 51. If your attack is to the ship's belly, turn to page 10.
50 51
You and 2-Tor scurry through the duct. Your robot Before long you're at the familiar controls of the
friend finds a maintenance hatch which leads to the Challenger. You prepare your shuttlecraft for battle as
outside of the ship. Yanking open the hatch, you the rest of the Nebula force engages the Darkstar.
allow yourself to be pulled into the vacuum of space. "They're no match for the Darkstar's quark can-
A few blasts from your suit thrusters take you be- nons!" you exclaim. The enemy battle cruiser has
neath the Darkstar, near the huge ship's lifting struts. already picked off three Nebula starfighters.
"Look!" 2-Tor points a claw. A fleet of gull-winged You focus your scanners on the Darkstar's bridge.
fighters streaks toward you. "It's the Nebula Attack Cypor Scarp, now in armor, directs the battle. "I'm
Team 1 called for." tempted to dive-bomb that bridge," you tell 2-Tor.
"Good work, Tor. They've brought the Challenger," "The Darkstar's underbelly is exposed." 2-Tor's green
you exclaim. "Have them warp us aboard. I'd like lights flash on and off. "It offers an excellent target."
another chance at Mr. Scarp."
If you choose to attack the bridge, turn to page 97.
Go to page 51. If your attack is to the ship's belly, turn to page 10.
52 53
"Now, class," says the hooded figure. "I told you "A lot has happened since I was here last," you say.
finding specimens for our medical experiments would "But if my memory is correct, we should try the
be easy. Just throw a rope out the window and haul squares with the horizontal stripes."
them in." "Are you sure?" asks 2-Tor. His blue lights flash.
"Like sea shrikes," one student giggles. "Pretty sure." Both of you move to a square with
You step away from the man with the rope. He horizontal stripes. "But then, nobody's perfect."
obviously doesn't have your best interests at heart. "You're right!" shouts 2-Tor, dropping into the black,
Right now you need a way to escape. But there are no bottomless void.
doors. Even the window you came in through has "Oh, noooooo!" you scream, dropping beside the
vanished. robot.
The students rise. Looks like you'll make medical
history on this planet. Whether you like it or not. ZAP!
ZAP!
52 53
"Now, class," says the hooded figure. "I told you "A lot has happened since I was here last," you say.
finding specimens for our medical experiments would "But if my memory is correct, we should try the
be easy. Just throw a rope out the window and haul squares with the horizontal stripes."
them in." "Are you sure?" asks 2-Tor. His blue lights flash.
"Like sea shrikes," one student giggles. "Pretty sure." Both of you move to a square with
You step away from the man with the rope. He horizontal stripes. "But then, nobody's perfect."
obviously doesn't have your best interests at heart. "You're right!" shouts 2-Tor, dropping into the black,
Right now you need a way to escape. But there are no bottomless void.
doors. Even the window you came in through has "Oh, noooooo!" you scream, dropping beside the
vanished. robot.
The students rise. Looks like you'll make medical
history on this planet. Whether you like it or not. ZAP!
ZAP!
54 55
"Tor! Hurry! Please!" you beg. "I'm helpless without 2-Tor's energy field reappears.
you!" You want to get away from here more than anything.
But 2-Tor can't hear you. Nor can 2-Tor help you, Your wings spread preparing for a quick flight through
All the while, the stinger pumps a molecular alter- the hole in the wall of fire. If you succeed, you'll be
ing agent into your veins. Your body becomes tiny, back with 2-Tor.
glowing, slick-winged. You're the twin of the creature Suddenly you remember the Crystal Cube of
that stung you. Knowledge.
If you think you should take the Cube with you,

turn to page 12.
If you just want to flee, forgetting the Cube,

54 55
"Tor! Hurry! Please!" you beg. "I'm helpless without 2-Tor's energy field reappears.
you!" You want to get away from here more than anything.
But 2-Tor can't hear you. Nor can 2-Tor help you, Your wings spread preparing for a quick flight through
All the while, the stinger pumps a molecular alter- the hole in the wall of fire. If you succeed, you'll be
ing agent into your veins. Your body becomes tiny, back with 2-Tor.
glowing, slick-winged. You're the twin of the creature Suddenly you remember the Crystal Cube of
that stung you. Knowledge.
If you think you should take the Cube with you,

turn to page 12.
If you just want to flee, forgetting the Cube,

56 57
Warping to Mindor-6 would be faster. But you want Your high-resolution scans pick up signs of heavy
to use the Challenger for this mission. You've just had fighting on the planet's surface.
her fitted with a tachyonic booster, and here's your "It must have been quite a battle, boss." 2-Tor
chance to see how she'll handle at near light-speed. whistles. "I detect major damage."
You and 2-Tor climb into your command seats, "Where should we set down?" you ask.
punch in the launch code, ignite the engines, and "Two choices," replies 2-Tor. "We can warp down
blast! Soon the Nebula is far behind. to the old capitol building. It's partly destroyed. But
The ship handles even better than you'd hoped. In we may find some Mindor leaders there. They could
four days you're in parking orbit over Mindor-6. tell us what happened."
"And the other choice?"
"Far side of the planet. 1 pick up a huge amount of
energy being generated. Something is definitely going
on over there."
If you head for the capitol building, turn to page 113.
If you head for the unusual power source,

56 57
Warping to Mindor-6 would be faster. But you want Your high-resolution scans pick up signs of heavy
to use the Challenger for this mission. You've just had fighting on the planet's surface.
her fitted with a tachyonic booster, and here's your "It must have been quite a battle, boss." 2-Tor
chance to see how she'll handle at near light-speed. whistles. "I detect major damage."
You and 2-Tor climb into your command seats, "Where should we set down?" you ask.
punch in the launch code, ignite the engines, and "Two choices," replies 2-Tor. "We can warp down
blast! Soon the Nebula is far behind. to the old capitol building. It's partly destroyed. But
The ship handles even better than you'd hoped. In we may find some Mindor leaders there. They could
four days you're in parking orbit over Mindor-6. tell us what happened."
"And the other choice?"
"Far side of the planet. 1 pick up a huge amount of
energy being generated. Something is definitely going
on over there."
If you head for the capitol building, turn to page 113.
If you head for the unusual power source,

58 59
You freeze, astonished, as the creature turns its 2-Tor begins to vibrate as he delivers the low note.
attention to you. It roars and grabs a chair of har- The blast annoys the snouted creature. Its teeth rattle
dened quasidium. and it quivers. Finally it lets out a howl. You see it run
Suddenly you hear sounds of fighting. They come off, hairless tail tucked tightly between its skinny legs.
from the corridor you just left. Now for the Crystal Cube! But a deep voice makes
"The Graviton!" someone yells. "They've got the you stop short.
Graviton!" "Halt or be vaporized! The Crystal Cube of Knowl-
The neon creature raises the chair. It's aiming for edge is only for those with the virtue to use it wisely.
your head. You must act now, and act quickly. Stand while 1 probe your mind. 1 must be sure you are
worthy."
If you decide to rush into the corridor, If you won't stand for the mind probe, grab the Cube
turn to page 87. and turn to page 108.
If, instead, you try to defeat the creature, If you will let your mind be probed,
turn to page 60. turn to page 25.
58 59
You freeze, astonished, as the creature turns its 2-Tor begins to vibrate as he delivers the low note.
attention to you. It roars and grabs a chair of har- The blast annoys the snouted creature. Its teeth rattle
dened quasidium. and it quivers. Finally it lets out a howl. You see it run
Suddenly you hear sounds of fighting. They come off, hairless tail tucked tightly between its skinny legs.
from the corridor you just left. Now for the Crystal Cube! But a deep voice makes
"The Graviton!" someone yells. "They've got the you stop short.
Graviton!" "Halt or be vaporized! The Crystal Cube of Knowl-
The neon creature raises the chair. It's aiming for edge is only for those with the virtue to use it wisely.
your head. You must act now, and act quickly. Stand while 1 probe your mind. 1 must be sure you are
worthy."
If you decide to rush into the corridor, If you won't stand for the mind probe, grab the Cube
turn to page 87. and turn to page 108.
If, instead, you try to defeat the creature, If you will let your mind be probed,
60 61
The big fellow looks tough, but not unbeatable. You dive behind the control bank. But Scarp sends
"Distract it, Tor!" you say. And when your robot out another ultraviolet flash which moves the console
friend lets off a high-pitched wail, you hurl yourself at clear across the room. You're in danger again.
the thug's knees. You've played a lot of moonball on "1 see you and your friend do not give up easily,"
the Nebula. You know just where to strike. he says. "Perhaps you can provide me with a bit of
The blow sends it backward. As it falls, it smashes amusement. Guards!"
against the teleporter controls, tripping a circuit. Red At once, two bubble-headed creatures appear. They
lights flash on the machine. have eyes the size of Trotops eggs. The guards seize
"Cratz alive!" shouts the man in the white coat. "It's you and 2-Tor.
activated the teleporter. Hold on!" "Take these two below," Scarp orders. "We'll see if
they enjoy the company of the Roman Pest!"
You have no choice. The teleporting sequence

is underway. Teleport at once
to page 114. Go to page 41.
60 61
The big fellow looks tough, but not unbeatable. You dive behind the control bank. But Scarp sends
"Distract it, Tor!" you say. And when your robot out another ultraviolet flash which moves the console
friend lets off a high-pitched wail, you hurl yourself at clear across the room. You're in danger again.
the thug's knees. You've played a lot of moonball on "1 see you and your friend do not give up easily,"
the Nebula. You know just where to strike. he says. "Perhaps you can provide me with a bit of
The blow sends it backward. As it falls, it smashes amusement. Guards!"
against the teleporter controls, tripping a circuit. Red At once, two bubble-headed creatures appear. They
lights flash on the machine. have eyes the size of Trotops eggs. The guards seize
"Cratz alive!" shouts the man in the white coat. "It's you and 2-Tor.
activated the teleporter. Hold on!" "Take these two below," Scarp orders. "We'll see if
they enjoy the company of the Roman Pest!"
You have no choice. The teleporting sequence

is underway. Teleport at once
to page 114. Go to page 41.
62 63
"I'll take the Rorvian Pest," you say. You step through the break in the wall and enter
The second guard waves a hand over an organe the Forbidden City.
sensor. A door swings open just long enough for you "My sensors pick up a beacon," 2-Tor says. "1
and 2-Tor to be cast into the cell. believe it's the Crystal Cube of Knowledge." The two
It doesn't take you long to spot the Pest. The of you set out in the direction of the signal, picking
creature's wobbling, jellylike body nearly fills the room. your way through the twisted remains of the wrecked
You see a tiny mouth up near the top of this ugly gray metropolis.
blob. "It won't be far now, boss," says 2-Tor.
The Pest smiles and begins wobbling toward you. "Might as well be a million kilometers away," you
You frantically search for a way out But you're trapped. say. "Look at that."
The Rorvian, it's clear, is more than a pest. It is your Blocking your way is a raging nuclear firestorm.
doom. 2-Tor whistles, looking over the glowing wall of fire.
"The radiation reading is off the scale. I can't scan
ZAP! through the wall. All I detect is the beacon."
"2-Tor, could I risk a quick flight through that mess?"
"Your suit will protect you briefly," 2-Tor says. "But
I don't know how thick the wall is. Your suit may fail
before you get through."
The robot clicks and buzzes. "We might try another
way. 1 could cut an energy field through that radiation.
My power is sufficient."
If you wish to break through with the energy field,

turn to page 23.
If you'd rather try flying through the flames,

turn to page 27.
62 63
"I'll take the Rorvian Pest," you say. You step through the break in the wall and enter
The second guard waves a hand over an organe the Forbidden City.
sensor. A door swings open just long enough for you "My sensors pick up a beacon," 2-Tor says. "1
and 2-Tor to be cast into the cell. believe it's the Crystal Cube of Knowledge." The two
It doesn't take you long to spot the Pest. The of you set out in the direction of the signal, picking
creature's wobbling, jellylike body nearly fills the room. your way through the twisted remains of the wrecked
You see a tiny mouth up near the top of this ugly gray metropolis.
blob. "It won't be far now, boss," says 2-Tor.
The Pest smiles and begins wobbling toward you. "Might as well be a million kilometers away," you
You frantically search for a way out But you're trapped. say. "Look at that."
The Rorvian, it's clear, is more than a pest. It is your Blocking your way is a raging nuclear firestorm.
doom. 2-Tor whistles, looking over the glowing wall of fire.
"The radiation reading is off the scale. I can't scan
ZAP! through the wall. All I detect is the beacon."
"2-Tor, could I risk a quick flight through that mess?"
"Your suit will protect you briefly," 2-Tor says. "But
I don't know how thick the wall is. Your suit may fail
before you get through."
The robot clicks and buzzes. "We might try another
way. 1 could cut an energy field through that radiation.
My power is sufficient."
If you wish to break through with the energy field,

turn to page 23.
If you'd rather try flying through the flames,

turn to page 27.
64 65
"We don't mean to harm you," you say.
"I know that," says the woman. "But that cyborg
behind you does. Duck!"
You spin around to see a huge, square-headed cy-
borg about to club you with a stun-bar. You dive for
the ground. The woman blasts the creature through
its battle armor.
"Thanks," you say, getting to your feet. "Who was
that?"
"A soldier." The woman spits. "Commanded by
Slee from Zard. He and his troops have overrun Mindor.
Most of our people are enslaved."
You know all about Slee—one of the most brutal
creatures in the galaxy. His ruthlessness is known on
a hundred planets. In the last year, he's totally de-
stroyed more than a dozen worlds.
"What does Slee want with Mindor?" you ask.
Go to page 32.
64 65
"We don't mean to harm you," you say.
"I know that," says the woman. "But that cyborg
behind you does. Duck!"
You spin around to see a huge, square-headed cy-
borg about to club you with a stun-bar. You dive for
the ground. The woman blasts the creature through
its battle armor.
"Thanks," you say, getting to your feet. "Who was
that?"
"A soldier." The woman spits. "Commanded by
Slee from Zard. He and his troops have overrun Mindor.
Most of our people are enslaved."
You know all about Slee—one of the most brutal
creatures in the galaxy. His ruthlessness is known on
a hundred planets. In the last year, he's totally de-
stroyed more than a dozen worlds.
"What does Slee want with Mindor?" you ask.
Go to page 32.
66 67
You take a deep breath, then step onto a square "I'll need all the help I can get!" You gulp down the
with horizontal stripes. "Hope I made the right choice. blue liquid. "You said this will make me strong, right?"
Otherwise I'll fall into the v "I did?" says the man.
o You feel strange. "You said it was for strength."
i The old man puts a hand on your shoulder. "You
d!" didn't understand," he says. "I meant it would give
me your strength. You see, I must have your energy
ZAP! to defeat Andron-Poc."
You feel your strength flowing away. It goes right
into the old man's hand. You try to pull free, but you
can't. You're already too weak. You can hardly keep
your eyes open.
But you notice the man is no longer old and
wrinkled. He looks young and strong. You can only
wonder how you must look. But not for long.
ZAP!
66 67
You take a deep breath, then step onto a square "I'll need all the help I can get!" You gulp down the
with horizontal stripes. "Hope I made the right choice. blue liquid. "You said this will make me strong, right?"
Otherwise I'll fall into the v "I did?" says the man.
o You feel strange. "You said it was for strength."
i The old man puts a hand on your shoulder. "You
d!" didn't understand," he says. "I meant it would give
me your strength. You see, I must have your energy
ZAP! to defeat Andron-Poc."
You feel your strength flowing away. It goes right
into the old man's hand. You try to pull free, but you
can't. You're already too weak. You can hardly keep
your eyes open.
But you notice the man is no longer old and
wrinkled. He looks young and strong. You can only
wonder how you must look. But not for long.
ZAP!
68 69
"Sometimes an orderly retreat is the best offense," You're no doctor, but it's plain that you should get
you tell 2-Tor. "Hold on. We're going to give your the stinger out. You yank it free so it can't pump any
tachyonic booster a real workout." more poison into your veins.
You blast away nearly at light-speed, catching Slee 2-Tor's energy field reappears. You grab the Crystal
by surprise. But he's not about to let you get away. Cube of Knowledge and dash to safety. Both of you
The Firebolt pours on thrust and catches up to you in race from the Forbidden City.
no time. Outside, you present the Cube to the grateful
You wait until Slee is right on your tail, then hit the
mutants.
top-board thrusters. Your craft drops away at 90 "At last we can rebuild," says the mutant female.
degrees. Slee's heavy ship can't match the turn. It "Soon we will again be a glorious civilization."
flies straight on, unable to slow down or turn back. The cube also gives you the coordinates you need.
Now you have Slee right where you want him. Now you can return to the Nebula.
2-Tor had already called for a Nebula Attack Team You make your report. Polaris nods. "A job well
and Slee is rocketing straight into their teeth. done. Your warning from Cosmos came just in time.
You contact the Nebula commander. "Slee from We were able to wreck Scarp's raid. And you found a
Zard is aboard that gold ship," you report. new planet. Do you think the mutants will restore their
"Job well done," the commander says. "You're get- civilization?"
ting to be the best pilot in the fleet." You feel confident they will achieve their goal. Per-
You smile at the compliment. Then you reignite haps they'll even join the Network of Worlds, which
your engines, and streak off into the twinkling cosmos. you and 2-Tor proudly serve.
68 69
"Sometimes an orderly retreat is the best offense," You're no doctor, but it's plain that you should get
you tell 2-Tor. "Hold on. We're going to give your the stinger out. You yank it free so it can't pump any
tachyonic booster a real workout." more poison into your veins.
You blast away nearly at light-speed, catching Slee 2-Tor's energy field reappears. You grab the Crystal
by surprise. But he's not about to let you get away. Cube of Knowledge and dash to safety. Both of you
The Firebolt pours on thrust and catches up to you in race from the Forbidden City.
no time. Outside, you present the Cube to the grateful
You wait until Slee is right on your tail, then hit the
mutants.
top-board thrusters. Your craft drops away at 90 "At last we can rebuild," says the mutant female.
degrees. Slee's heavy ship can't match the turn. It "Soon we will again be a glorious civilization."
flies straight on, unable to slow down or turn back. The cube also gives you the coordinates you need.
Now you have Slee right where you want him. Now you can return to the Nebula.
2-Tor had already called for a Nebula Attack Team You make your report. Polaris nods. "A job well
and Slee is rocketing straight into their teeth. done. Your warning from Cosmos came just in time.
You contact the Nebula commander. "Slee from We were able to wreck Scarp's raid. And you found a
Zard is aboard that gold ship," you report. new planet. Do you think the mutants will restore their
"Job well done," the commander says. "You're get- civilization?"
ting to be the best pilot in the fleet." You feel confident they will achieve their goal. Per-
You smile at the compliment. Then you reignite haps they'll even join the Network of Worlds, which
your engines, and streak off into the twinkling cosmos. you and 2-Tor proudly serve.
70 71
You take 2-Tor's claw as the room fills with rippling You and 2-Tor race to opposite sides of the mighty
violet light. The light wraps around everything—the Scarp. Since he only has one eye, he can't get both of
kronium, you, and 2-Tor. It sinks into your body. you. Worse for him, he came into the room with no
Every cell, every atom tingles. Your consciousness guards.
dims as you're fed piece by piece into the teleporter. Scarp turns and stuns 2-Tor. Before he can wheel
Next thing you know, you've been reassembled in about and blast you, you attack. You're a star at
an identical room. "Guess we made it to Zard," you zero-g unarmed combat. One chop to the side of his
mumble.
head, and Scarp sprawls on the floor.
Two stone-faced cyborgs march in. They grab you You waste no time patching 2-Tor's circuits. "Let's
and 2-Tor.
warp for home," you say. "We've saved the Graviton.
"More workers for Slee's battle suit factory," one And we have one of the most wanted outlaws in the
guard drones.
galaxy as well!"
The other cyborg looks at you. "Where would you
like to work? In the chip room or in the programming
section?"
If you choose the chip room, turn to page 14.

If you'd rather work as a programmer, Report to the Nebula on page 115
turn to page 49. to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
70 71
You take 2-Tor's claw as the room fills with rippling You and 2-Tor race to opposite sides of the mighty
violet light. The light wraps around everything—the Scarp. Since he only has one eye, he can't get both of
kronium, you, and 2-Tor. It sinks into your body. you. Worse for him, he came into the room with no
Every cell, every atom tingles. Your consciousness guards.
dims as you're fed piece by piece into the teleporter. Scarp turns and stuns 2-Tor. Before he can wheel
Next thing you know, you've been reassembled in about and blast you, you attack. You're a star at
an identical room. "Guess we made it to Zard," you zero-g unarmed combat. One chop to the side of his
mumble.
head, and Scarp sprawls on the floor.
Two stone-faced cyborgs march in. They grab you You waste no time patching 2-Tor's circuits. "Let's
and 2-Tor.
warp for home," you say. "We've saved the Graviton.
"More workers for Slee's battle suit factory," one And we have one of the most wanted outlaws in the
guard drones.
galaxy as well!"
The other cyborg looks at you. "Where would you
like to work? In the chip room or in the programming
section?"
If you choose the chip room, turn to page 14.

If you'd rather work as a programmer, Report to the Nebula on page 115
72 73
You take the left passageway down a damp hall. "Come on, Tor!" you whisper. The door is nearby.
You travel for hours as the passageway snakes back Just as you open it, your co-workers see what you've
and forth. You keep reaching dead ends. Finally the done. "No! No!" they scream. "You'll release the
tunnel narrows. At last it gives out altogether. Zardian arthropod!"
"2-Tor, we've got to get back to the entrance. Use You try to slam the door. But it's too late! A big,
your sensors to find us the way." brown, hairy leg sticks out the bottom of the door.
The robot stands, buzzing and hooting. "I've been And a huge, twitching antenna sticks out the top.
trying that for the last hour," he finally says. "These
walls all conduct weird energy flows. My sensors are
useless."
Your mouth goes dry. Now you remember the
warning you heard earlier. "Follow the authorized path
or you will wander forever."
"Forever," you say to yourself. "Forever sounds like
such a long, long, time."
ZAP!
Go to page 89.
72 73
You take the left passageway down a damp hall. "Come on, Tor!" you whisper. The door is nearby.
You travel for hours as the passageway snakes back Just as you open it, your co-workers see what you've
and forth. You keep reaching dead ends. Finally the done. "No! No!" they scream. "You'll release the
tunnel narrows. At last it gives out altogether. Zardian arthropod!"
"2-Tor, we've got to get back to the entrance. Use You try to slam the door. But it's too late! A big,
your sensors to find us the way." brown, hairy leg sticks out the bottom of the door.
The robot stands, buzzing and hooting. "I've been And a huge, twitching antenna sticks out the top.
trying that for the last hour," he finally says. "These
walls all conduct weird energy flows. My sensors are
useless."
Your mouth goes dry. Now you remember the
warning you heard earlier. "Follow the authorized path
or you will wander forever."
"Forever," you say to yourself. "Forever sounds like
such a long, long, time."
ZAP!
Go to page 89.
74 75
You don't want to go inside—but you can't let
Bishra get hurt. You set your micro-pulser on STUN
and climb to the roof.
2-Tor is stationed outside the entrance below. The
robot imitates the voice of Slee's soldiers.
"Great Leader," he calls. "Come look. We've cap-
tured the rebels."
Slee rushes from the dome. Behind him shambles
the warty blob known as the Hage. As soon as Slee
spots 2-Tor, he knows he's in a trap. In panic, he
turns back. Now he finds himself staring up at you on
the roof.
You smile, and squeeze off a burst from your micro-
pulser. The tyrant drops to the red soil of Mindor-6.
The dim-witted Hage take one look at your weapon
and scurries off.
Bishra emerges from the dome, unhurt.
"Slee will soon be on his way to a star prison," you
say. "Mindor is free."
"Mindor will never forget you," she says. "You are
very brave."
"Only doing my job," you say. "Glad we could
help." 2-Tor flashes yellow and whistles.

74 75
You don't want to go inside—but you can't let
Bishra get hurt. You set your micro-pulser on STUN
and climb to the roof.
2-Tor is stationed outside the entrance below. The
robot imitates the voice of Slee's soldiers.
"Great Leader," he calls. "Come look. We've cap-
tured the rebels."
Slee rushes from the dome. Behind him shambles
the warty blob known as the Hage. As soon as Slee
spots 2-Tor, he knows he's in a trap. In panic, he
turns back. Now he finds himself staring up at you on
the roof.
You smile, and squeeze off a burst from your micro-
pulser. The tyrant drops to the red soil of Mindor-6.
The dim-witted Hage take one look at your weapon
and scurries off.
Bishra emerges from the dome, unhurt.
"Slee will soon be on his way to a star prison," you
say. "Mindor is free."
"Mindor will never forget you," she says. "You are
very brave."
"Only doing my job," you say. "Glad we could
help." 2-Tor flashes yellow and whistles.

76 77
"The Hyrex," you say, a plan forming in your mind. You and 2-Tor crawl along the duct which leads
You're banking on the fact that the Aflame Hyrex is through the ship's compartments. One compartment
a fire-generating creature. And when the guards throw catches your interest
you and 2-Tor into the cell, a wash of heat confirms "Are those explosives?" you ask 2-Tor.
your suspicions. "Correct, boss," he replies. "That's nitrosite, highly
The Hyrex is a lumbering, flat-nosed beast sur- explosive and highly unstable. We'd better get moving."
rounded by wavering flames. The heat sears your "Not so fast," you say. "1 want to bring that Aflame
skin, right through your bio-support suit. You race Hyrex here."
over to a large vent and break off the metal cover. "Are you sure?" squeaks 2-Tor. His blue lights flash.
"When you've got heat, you need a vent," you say. "The Hyrex will set off the nitrosite. And that will
"Come on, 2-Tor. Follow me through this cooling destroy the ship," you explain.
duct. We still have a mission to accomplish." "1 understand that part of the plan." 2-Tor clicks
and bleeps. "But where will we be when the ship
blows up?"
If you choose to call for the Hyrex, turn to page 44.
If you decide to find an escape route first,

76 77
"The Hyrex," you say, a plan forming in your mind. You and 2-Tor crawl along the duct which leads
You're banking on the fact that the Aflame Hyrex is through the ship's compartments. One compartment
a fire-generating creature. And when the guards throw catches your interest
you and 2-Tor into the cell, a wash of heat confirms "Are those explosives?" you ask 2-Tor.
your suspicions. "Correct, boss," he replies. "That's nitrosite, highly
The Hyrex is a lumbering, flat-nosed beast sur- explosive and highly unstable. We'd better get moving."
rounded by wavering flames. The heat sears your "Not so fast," you say. "1 want to bring that Aflame
skin, right through your bio-support suit. You race Hyrex here."
over to a large vent and break off the metal cover. "Are you sure?" squeaks 2-Tor. His blue lights flash.
"When you've got heat, you need a vent," you say. "The Hyrex will set off the nitrosite. And that will
"Come on, 2-Tor. Follow me through this cooling destroy the ship," you explain.
duct. We still have a mission to accomplish." "1 understand that part of the plan." 2-Tor clicks
and bleeps. "But where will we be when the ship
blows up?"
If you choose to call for the Hyrex, turn to page 44.
If you decide to find an escape route first,

78 79
You and 2-Tor materialize in a bright corridor of As you face the slim Firebolt, four energy pulses rip
Cosmos Station. Plastak-coated ports and hatches lead from your ship. Every one of them misses.
off in all directions. You hurry down the deserted "We should have attacked from the side, boss.
corridor. Finally you find a hatch marked Graviton: Then we'd have had a chance," 2-Tor says. "But
Top Secret. straight on, she's as hard to hit as the point of a pin."
"In here, 2-Tor," you say, as you reach to open the Unfortunately, you're a much easier target. Slee's
hatch. Suddenly, a scream comes from behind the starblaster beams slams into the Challenger. Off you
shining titanium hatch down the corridor. go, tumbling at hyper-light speeds. 2-Tor's red lights
flash. "We're doomed!" he cries.
Your shuttle suddenly comes to a bruising halt,
throwing you against your seat straps. "What the nyx?"
you say.
An image forms on your scanners. It's a Network
Attack Squad. Then a face appears on your vid screen.
"Managed to catch you with tractor-beams," the
squad leader says. "And just in time, too. We'll take
care of Slee from here on. Better head back to the
Nebula."
If you choose to enter the Graviton Room,

turn to page 47.
If you head for the source of the scream, Report to the Nebula on page 115
78 79
You and 2-Tor materialize in a bright corridor of As you face the slim Firebolt, four energy pulses rip
Cosmos Station. Plastak-coated ports and hatches lead from your ship. Every one of them misses.
off in all directions. You hurry down the deserted "We should have attacked from the side, boss.
corridor. Finally you find a hatch marked Graviton: Then we'd have had a chance," 2-Tor says. "But
Top Secret. straight on, she's as hard to hit as the point of a pin."
"In here, 2-Tor," you say, as you reach to open the Unfortunately, you're a much easier target. Slee's
hatch. Suddenly, a scream comes from behind the starblaster beams slams into the Challenger. Off you
shining titanium hatch down the corridor. go, tumbling at hyper-light speeds. 2-Tor's red lights
flash. "We're doomed!" he cries.
Your shuttle suddenly comes to a bruising halt,
throwing you against your seat straps. "What the nyx?"
you say.
An image forms on your scanners. It's a Network
Attack Squad. Then a face appears on your vid screen.
"Managed to catch you with tractor-beams," the
squad leader says. "And just in time, too. We'll take
care of Slee from here on. Better head back to the
Nebula."
If you choose to enter the Graviton Room,

turn to page 47.
If you head for the source of the scream, Report to the Nebula on page 115
80
81
The creature whirls, ears flapping. You can't risk You and 2-Tor crawl through the tube, which
letting it your pulse.
outlooseofan energy sight.It knocks
Aiming leads to an underground passageway. Spying a rusted
carefully, you let the moving staircase, you head down. 2-Tor flicks on his
creature senseless. photon floods to light the way.
You go to the alien's side. It's trying to speak At the base of the stairs the tunnel branches. "Which
way?" you ask. Then a dim hologram materializes
"You-you're
head
I'm of the development
a Nebula team
operative!"
here. We Itmustgasps.
take
the before you. It shows a badly scarred humanoid, who
the Graviton to safety." speaks.
"Warning! You are entering a security maze," says
the hologram. "Follow the authorized path or you will
wander forever."
You have no idea which branch is the authorized
path. Nor do you intend to turn back. The mutant
community is counting on you.
If you wish to take your chances following the tunnel

to the left, turn to page 72.
If you think the right tunnel is the safe route,

80
81
The creature whirls, ears flapping. You can't risk You and 2-Tor crawl through the tube, which
letting it your pulse.
outlooseofan energy sight.It knocks
Aiming leads to an underground passageway. Spying a rusted
carefully, you let the moving staircase, you head down. 2-Tor flicks on his
creature senseless. photon floods to light the way.
You go to the alien's side. It's trying to speak At the base of the stairs the tunnel branches. "Which
way?" you ask. Then a dim hologram materializes
"You-you're
head
I'm of the development
a Nebula team
operative!"
here. We Itmustgasps.
take
the before you. It shows a badly scarred humanoid, who
the Graviton to safety." speaks.
"Warning! You are entering a security maze," says
the hologram. "Follow the authorized path or you will
wander forever."
You have no idea which branch is the authorized
path. Nor do you intend to turn back. The mutant
community is counting on you.
If you wish to take your chances following the tunnel

to the left, turn to page 72.
If you think the right tunnel is the safe route,

82 83
"Mo, thanks." You push the drink away. "Too much "Things are going just as I hoped," you say, as you
is at stake here. 1 can't risk getting knocked out or disable the Challenger's controls.
sick." "2-Tor, 1 want you to warp us over to the Firebolt
The old man shakes his head. You grab the railing Make the leap when Slee appears here on the bridge."
and start up the circular staircase. Soon the man is 2-Tor flashes green.
far behind. Soon enough, Slee and his guards materialize on
The staircase seems endless. You're thinking about your ship. He doesn't see you, though, because 2-Tor
sitting down for a short rest when a tall, metal-encrusted has already beamed you to the nearly deserted Firebolt
woman comes charging up the stairs behind you. In You've gotten the drop on the Firebolt's remaining
her hand she holds a flashing laser-sword. guards. "Surrender!" you shout. "Or I'll blast you with
"Prepare to defend yourself!" she barks. this micro-pulser!"
You take a moment to lock up the guards. Then
Slee's magnificent ship is yours. "Chart us a course
for the Nebula," you tell 2-Tor. "We'll leave Slee on
the Challenger for the Attack Team you called in. It's
disabled, so he won't be going anywhere."
2-Tor beeps. "Aren't you going to miss the Chal-
lenger?"
"Of course!" You settle back into the padded pilot's
seat. "But I think this ship will do quite nicely till we
get home."

82 83
"Mo, thanks." You push the drink away. "Too much "Things are going just as I hoped," you say, as you
is at stake here. 1 can't risk getting knocked out or disable the Challenger's controls.
sick." "2-Tor, 1 want you to warp us over to the Firebolt
The old man shakes his head. You grab the railing Make the leap when Slee appears here on the bridge."
and start up the circular staircase. Soon the man is 2-Tor flashes green.
far behind. Soon enough, Slee and his guards materialize on
The staircase seems endless. You're thinking about your ship. He doesn't see you, though, because 2-Tor
sitting down for a short rest when a tall, metal-encrusted has already beamed you to the nearly deserted Firebolt
woman comes charging up the stairs behind you. In You've gotten the drop on the Firebolt's remaining
her hand she holds a flashing laser-sword. guards. "Surrender!" you shout. "Or I'll blast you with
"Prepare to defend yourself!" she barks. this micro-pulser!"
You take a moment to lock up the guards. Then
Slee's magnificent ship is yours. "Chart us a course
for the Nebula," you tell 2-Tor. "We'll leave Slee on
the Challenger for the Attack Team you called in. It's
disabled, so he won't be going anywhere."
2-Tor beeps. "Aren't you going to miss the Chal-
lenger?"
"Of course!" You settle back into the padded pilot's
seat. "But I think this ship will do quite nicely till we
get home."

84 85
You wish Bishra luck as she steps through the "That's the guardian of the Cube," says 2-Tor. "Look,
door. There is a moment of silence, then you hear
her shout, "Slee! It's you!" there it is."
Your friend is right. A crystal the size of a brick
"So it is." The dreadful tyrant laughs. "Now, where glows on a pillar. It's right behind the snarling beast.
are the rest of the rebels? I want answers, Bishra. "Maybe we can drive it off with a sonic blast," you
Otherwise, the Hage here will shake your hand."
say. "Let's give it a try, 2-Tor. See how it responds to
"Please, please," begs Bishra. "Not the Hage."
a loud sound."
"Oh, no," you whisper to 2-Tor. "There's a Hage in "Okay, boss. What kind of sound do you want?"
there. It drips acid from its fingertips. One touch can 2-Tor asks. "High-pitched or low?"
dissolve a person."
2-Tor gives a muted whistle and flashes red.
If your fear of the Hage makes you wait outside till

If you think high-pitched sound will affect the creature,
Slee comes out, turn to page 75, turn to page 36.
However, if you wish to dash inside and save Bishra,
If, instead, you blast it with a low note,
84 85
You wish Bishra luck as she steps through the "That's the guardian of the Cube," says 2-Tor. "Look,
door. There is a moment of silence, then you hear
her shout, "Slee! It's you!" there it is."
Your friend is right. A crystal the size of a brick
"So it is." The dreadful tyrant laughs. "Now, where glows on a pillar. It's right behind the snarling beast.
are the rest of the rebels? I want answers, Bishra. "Maybe we can drive it off with a sonic blast," you
Otherwise, the Hage here will shake your hand."
say. "Let's give it a try, 2-Tor. See how it responds to
"Please, please," begs Bishra. "Not the Hage."
a loud sound."
"Oh, no," you whisper to 2-Tor. "There's a Hage in "Okay, boss. What kind of sound do you want?"
there. It drips acid from its fingertips. One touch can 2-Tor asks. "High-pitched or low?"
dissolve a person."
2-Tor gives a muted whistle and flashes red.
If your fear of the Hage makes you wait outside till

If you think high-pitched sound will affect the creature,
Slee comes out, turn to page 75, turn to page 36.
However, if you wish to dash inside and save Bishra,
If, instead, you blast it with a low note,
86 87
"Sorry, but I can't take any chances." You fire off a "Our mission is to protect the Graviton," you tell
round. The woman drops to the steps. "When you 2-Tor. "Let's get out of here."
come around, perhaps you'll be willing to talk," you Your mission may be the Graviton, but the creature's
say.
mission is to bean you with the chair. Before you
An awful metallic rasp behind you makes you whip reach the exit, you're down.
around. There stands a square-headed alien in an The last thing you recall is 2-Tor beeping frantically.
armored battle suit, his pulse gun pointed right at The neon creature laughs hideously as blackness
you.
drops over you like a heavy curtain.
"Oh, no!" you exclaim. "That's what the woman You come to and find a face looking down at you.
shot at. She tried to save us, and I knocked her out." Captain Polaris' face. "You're lucky 2-Tor managed to
You fire another round. But your pulser is set for get a distress call out 1 sent Attack Teams immediately."
STUN and the alien shakes off the blast. Then it's his Polaris smiles. "We caught the Darkstar with only
turn. His pulse-blast sends you and 2-Tor sprawling. half her crew aboard. The rest were looting the space
You pass out. But before you do, you hear the. station. They surrendered without a fight So we saved
same metallic rasp say, "I'll take these two to Slee. the Graviton and caught Cypor Scarp."
He'll make sure they never live to report what's going Now Polaris frowns. "Of course, we did all this
on here."
while you were asleep."

You have no choice. You must go to page 91. to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
86 87
"Sorry, but I can't take any chances." You fire off a "Our mission is to protect the Graviton," you tell
round. The woman drops to the steps. "When you 2-Tor. "Let's get out of here."
come around, perhaps you'll be willing to talk," you Your mission may be the Graviton, but the creature's
say.
mission is to bean you with the chair. Before you
An awful metallic rasp behind you makes you whip reach the exit, you're down.
around. There stands a square-headed alien in an The last thing you recall is 2-Tor beeping frantically.
armored battle suit, his pulse gun pointed right at The neon creature laughs hideously as blackness
you.
drops over you like a heavy curtain.
"Oh, no!" you exclaim. "That's what the woman You come to and find a face looking down at you.
shot at. She tried to save us, and I knocked her out." Captain Polaris' face. "You're lucky 2-Tor managed to
You fire another round. But your pulser is set for get a distress call out 1 sent Attack Teams immediately."
STUN and the alien shakes off the blast. Then it's his Polaris smiles. "We caught the Darkstar with only
turn. His pulse-blast sends you and 2-Tor sprawling. half her crew aboard. The rest were looting the space
You pass out. But before you do, you hear the. station. They surrendered without a fight So we saved
same metallic rasp say, "I'll take these two to Slee. the Graviton and caught Cypor Scarp."
He'll make sure they never live to report what's going Now Polaris frowns. "Of course, we did all this
on here."
while you were asleep."

You have no choice. You must go to page 91. to find out how you rate as a Space Ace.
88
89
The creature gives the opened door a shove. You
and 2-Tor topple to the floor. Then the arthropod
advances. It has a glazed, hungry look in its faceted
eyes.
All around you the factory is in chaos. The tiny
workers try to scramble to safety. When the arthropod
is through, it will have ruined the factory. You won't
be around to witness it, though. It will have ruined you
first.
ZAP!
88
89
The creature gives the opened door a shove. You
and 2-Tor topple to the floor. Then the arthropod
advances. It has a glazed, hungry look in its faceted
eyes.
All around you the factory is in chaos. The tiny
workers try to scramble to safety. When the arthropod
is through, it will have ruined the factory. You won't
be around to witness it, though. It will have ruined you
first.
ZAP!
90 91
"Ready the mini-pulser," you tell 2-Tor. "We'll blast You come to, finding yourself in a small white-
him out of the cosmos." walled room. It's very bright, but you can't find a light
"It's ready." 2-Tor clicks and whistles. "But it's not source. You shake your head to clear it, wondering
powerful enough to knock out that ship. This is not a how you got to this strange place.
fair fight. I recommend surrender. It may be the only "Hey, Tor." You look over at the robot. "Where are
way to save our lives."
we?"
"In the custody of Slee from Zard." The answer
comes from outside the cell. "I'd like to know the
details of your mission here."
Slee from Zard! The very name sends a shudder
through you. Slee rules a slave planet on the fringes
of the galaxy. Lately he's attacked and looted planets
in this sector. Nearly a dozen worlds have felt his
wrath. He has no idea of mercy. If he rules Mindor,
you're in deep trouble.
A powerful, invisible force suddenly squeezes your
head. You fear your skull may explode.
"1 don't hear you talking," Slee hisses. "Tell me the
Nebula's plans and I'll turn off the mind compressor."
Quickly now. Will you reveal Nebula's secrets? Or
do you want to test the limits of the mind compressor?
If you choose to surrender, turn to page 17.

If you choose to talk, turn to page 4.
If you choose to match firepower with Slee,
turn to page 79. If you decide to keep quiet, turn to page 31.
90 91
"Ready the mini-pulser," you tell 2-Tor. "We'll blast You come to, finding yourself in a small white-
him out of the cosmos." walled room. It's very bright, but you can't find a light
"It's ready." 2-Tor clicks and whistles. "But it's not source. You shake your head to clear it, wondering
powerful enough to knock out that ship. This is not a how you got to this strange place.
fair fight. I recommend surrender. It may be the only "Hey, Tor." You look over at the robot. "Where are
way to save our lives."
we?"
"In the custody of Slee from Zard." The answer
comes from outside the cell. "I'd like to know the
details of your mission here."
Slee from Zard! The very name sends a shudder
through you. Slee rules a slave planet on the fringes
of the galaxy. Lately he's attacked and looted planets
in this sector. Nearly a dozen worlds have felt his
wrath. He has no idea of mercy. If he rules Mindor,
you're in deep trouble.
A powerful, invisible force suddenly squeezes your
head. You fear your skull may explode.
"1 don't hear you talking," Slee hisses. "Tell me the
Nebula's plans and I'll turn off the mind compressor."
Quickly now. Will you reveal Nebula's secrets? Or
do you want to test the limits of the mind compressor?
If you choose to surrender, turn to page 17.

If you choose to talk, turn to page 4.
If you choose to match firepower with Slee,
turn to page 79. If you decide to keep quiet, turn to page 31.
92 93
You don't hesitate. You snatch 2-Tor in your arms The storm screams in your ears. But you make it
and leap out the window. You're hoping the snow laid safely through the window.
down a thick cushion.
"Sit down, sit down," says the earless man. He
You fall for what seems like an eternity. But in the points to a high-backed crystalline chair. "I assume
end you land safely in the snow!
you are here for the robot. The one called 2-Tor?"
It's a short job to dig yourselves out. You hurry "Yes, yes," you say: "Where can I find him?"
away from the tower.
"At the top of the tower. The evil Andron-Poc has
"Once we get to safety we can contact the Nebula imprisoned him."
for help," you say. "I hope we have enough power to "What does he want with 2-Tor?" you ask.
get a signal through."
"He wants his energy," says the man. "At this very
"What's this?" 2-Tor points a claw at the marbelite moment he's draining the robot. With that energy he
checkerboard. It blocks your escape.
can take over the whole tower. Andron-Poc must be
"That's a void field," you explain. "Some squares stopped."
are solid. Others are merely illusions. I'm afraid I don't "How do I get to the top?" you ask.
remember which ones are safe."
The old man gestures toward a circular staircase in
the room. "That's the way to Andron-Poc," he says.
He hands you a glass filled with a blue liquid.
"Drink this," the man says. "For strength."
If you recall the safe squares had vertical stripes,

turn to page 26.
If, however, you remember the squares with If you refuse the drink, turn to page 82.
the horizontal stripes were safe,
turn to page 53. If you drink the liquid, turn to page 67.
92 93
You don't hesitate. You snatch 2-Tor in your arms The storm screams in your ears. But you make it
and leap out the window. You're hoping the snow laid safely through the window.
down a thick cushion.
"Sit down, sit down," says the earless man. He
You fall for what seems like an eternity. But in the points to a high-backed crystalline chair. "I assume
end you land safely in the snow!
you are here for the robot. The one called 2-Tor?"
It's a short job to dig yourselves out. You hurry "Yes, yes," you say: "Where can I find him?"
away from the tower.
"At the top of the tower. The evil Andron-Poc has
"Once we get to safety we can contact the Nebula imprisoned him."
for help," you say. "I hope we have enough power to "What does he want with 2-Tor?" you ask.
get a signal through."
"He wants his energy," says the man. "At this very
"What's this?" 2-Tor points a claw at the marbelite moment he's draining the robot. With that energy he
checkerboard. It blocks your escape.
can take over the whole tower. Andron-Poc must be
"That's a void field," you explain. "Some squares stopped."
are solid. Others are merely illusions. I'm afraid I don't "How do I get to the top?" you ask.
remember which ones are safe."
The old man gestures toward a circular staircase in
the room. "That's the way to Andron-Poc," he says.
He hands you a glass filled with a blue liquid.
"Drink this," the man says. "For strength."
If you recall the safe squares had vertical stripes,

turn to page 26.
If, however, you remember the squares with If you refuse the drink, turn to page 82.
the horizontal stripes were safe,
turn to page 53. If you drink the liquid, turn to page 67.
94 95
2-Tor pushes a row of color-coded bars next to the Exit has always meant "out" before. There's no
dome entrance. The panel gives a high-pitched whir, reason it shouldn't mean that now. You load the
then slides open. A surprised Slee from Zard sits Graviton into the hatch opening. Making an adjust-
behind a protanium desk. ment to your bio-support suit, you slide in ahead of
"Surrender!" says 2-Tor, floating through the doors. 2-Tor. The robot slams the hatch shut. Suddenly you
His claws hold a pair of micro-pulsers. shoot into space.
"You surrender!" bellows Slee. The tyrant's guards Before you is a massive spike-encrusted ball, bear-
jump 2-Tor, grabbing the pulsers. ing the image of an eclipsed sun. You fire your thrust-
It's your turn to produce a surprise. You've kept a ers to avoid smashing into the huge ship. Then you
few steps behind 2-Tor. Now you leap into the room realize the spike ball is the dreaded Darkstar. This is
to show the cyborgs how zero-g unarmed combat the battle cruiser commanded by Cypor Scarp.
works. A swift kick to the jaw sends one cyborg "I detect an open airlock at the tip of the nearest
sprawling. You whip around and give the other one a spike," 2-Tor says. "We may be able to board and
chop to the neck. Then you aim your micro-pulser at disable the Darkstar"
the stunned Slee.
"End of the line, Slee," you say. "It's prison for
you."
"And perhaps a promotion for you, boss." 2-Tor
whistles.
"Perhaps." You smile back. "I feel like I've earned
ft." 2-Tor flashes yellow lights.
If you wish to sneak aboard the Darkstar,

turn to page 15.
Report to the Nebula on page 115 If you want to use the Graviton to turn the Darkstar
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace. into a black hole, turn to page 101.
94 95
2-Tor pushes a row of color-coded bars next to the Exit has always meant "out" before. There's no
dome entrance. The panel gives a high-pitched whir, reason it shouldn't mean that now. You load the
then slides open. A surprised Slee from Zard sits Graviton into the hatch opening. Making an adjust-
behind a protanium desk. ment to your bio-support suit, you slide in ahead of
"Surrender!" says 2-Tor, floating through the doors. 2-Tor. The robot slams the hatch shut. Suddenly you
His claws hold a pair of micro-pulsers. shoot into space.
"You surrender!" bellows Slee. The tyrant's guards Before you is a massive spike-encrusted ball, bear-
jump 2-Tor, grabbing the pulsers. ing the image of an eclipsed sun. You fire your thrust-
It's your turn to produce a surprise. You've kept a ers to avoid smashing into the huge ship. Then you
few steps behind 2-Tor. Now you leap into the room realize the spike ball is the dreaded Darkstar. This is
to show the cyborgs how zero-g unarmed combat the battle cruiser commanded by Cypor Scarp.
works. A swift kick to the jaw sends one cyborg "I detect an open airlock at the tip of the nearest
sprawling. You whip around and give the other one a spike," 2-Tor says. "We may be able to board and
chop to the neck. Then you aim your micro-pulser at disable the Darkstar"
the stunned Slee.
"End of the line, Slee," you say. "It's prison for
you."
"And perhaps a promotion for you, boss." 2-Tor
whistles.
"Perhaps." You smile back. "I feel like I've earned
ft." 2-Tor flashes yellow lights.
If you wish to sneak aboard the Darkstar,

turn to page 15.
Report to the Nebula on page 115 If you want to use the Graviton to turn the Darkstar
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace. into a black hole, turn to page 101.
96 97
"I'll take the net," you say. You close in on the bridge. Now you see the ship's
You hear a loud clap. Suddenly an energy-net ap- commander, Cypor Scarp, standing beneath the
pears in your hand. visisteel bridge window.
"There is your weapon," says the woman. "Let's finish him off," you say. Your ship is ready to
You look down at the net. You once used a similar dive.
weapon to capture an Orabeast on Poris-4. The woman 2-Tor clicks. "First finish those quark cannon un-
shouldn't be more difficult to snare. der the bridge," he says. "They'll be tough to get
You stand your ground and wait till she swings at through."
you with the laser-sword. Ducking out of the way, you
let fly the net. Your throw is true. In no time she's
wrapped tighter than a pertwing in a web.
Then it's back up the stairs. "Next stop, 2-Tor," you
say.
If you go directly for Scarp, dodging the cannons,

turn to page 16.
If you choose to disable the cannons before going

Co to page 104. after Scarp, turn to page 107.
96 97
"I'll take the net," you say. You close in on the bridge. Now you see the ship's
You hear a loud clap. Suddenly an energy-net ap- commander, Cypor Scarp, standing beneath the
pears in your hand. visisteel bridge window.
"There is your weapon," says the woman. "Let's finish him off," you say. Your ship is ready to
You look down at the net. You once used a similar dive.
weapon to capture an Orabeast on Poris-4. The woman 2-Tor clicks. "First finish those quark cannon un-
shouldn't be more difficult to snare. der the bridge," he says. "They'll be tough to get
You stand your ground and wait till she swings at through."
you with the laser-sword. Ducking out of the way, you
let fly the net. Your throw is true. In no time she's
wrapped tighter than a pertwing in a web.
Then it's back up the stairs. "Next stop, 2-Tor," you
say.
If you go directly for Scarp, dodging the cannons,

turn to page 16.
If you choose to disable the cannons before going

Co to page 104. after Scarp, turn to page 107.
98 99
You step gingerly onto a vertically striped square.
It's solid. Quickly you hop across the checkerboard to
the other side.
After an hour you reach the base of the strange
tower. The whole building is composed of rough
black crystal.
As you examine the walls, you hear a shout. You
look up to see a faceless, hooded figure lowering a
force-rope from a high window.
"Grab hold," calls the faceless figure.
Another window pops into existence in the wall
before you. A wrinkled, earless man beckons you in.
"Don't take the rope," he says. "It's a trap. With me
you'll be safe."
You wish you had some time to decide what to do.
But a tremendous snowstorm howls up out of nowhere.
If you don't get inside quickly, you'll freeze.
If you climb the force-rope, turn to page 42.
If you believe the earless man, turn to page 93.

98 99
You step gingerly onto a vertically striped square.
It's solid. Quickly you hop across the checkerboard to
the other side.
After an hour you reach the base of the strange
tower. The whole building is composed of rough
black crystal.
As you examine the walls, you hear a shout. You
look up to see a faceless, hooded figure lowering a
force-rope from a high window.
"Grab hold," calls the faceless figure.
Another window pops into existence in the wall
before you. A wrinkled, earless man beckons you in.
"Don't take the rope," he says. "It's a trap. With me
you'll be safe."
You wish you had some time to decide what to do.
But a tremendous snowstorm howls up out of nowhere.
If you don't get inside quickly, you'll freeze.
If you climb the force-rope, turn to page 42.
If you believe the earless man, turn to page 93.

100 101
You check your micro-pulser. Then you burst You punch a series of buttons marked Gravity
through the door. Boosters. A tongue of wavering pink gravitons pours
"Don't anyone move!" you command. over and engulfs the Darkstar. The ship presses in on
The Hage, a squat, warty blob with long arms, leaps itself. In moments it disappears—reduced to a mini-
up. It can't understand your words, but it understands black hole.
weapons. It streaks for the door a panic to escape. Suddenly, you realize you're moving.
The Hage even pushes Slee aside with its acid hands. "We're too close to the black hole. It's pulling us
"Oh, no!" screams the scaly-faced tyrant. "The acid! in!" 2-Tor's lights flash red.
I'm dissolving!" "I wish you'd mentioned that sooner," you say.
As the Hage disappears from view, Slee vanishes Both of you are sucked into unknown depths, from
into the floor. It only takes a moment or two. Then all which no one has ever returned.
that remains of Slee is a thin wisp of smoke. "At least we destroyed the Darkstar and her horri-
"Looks like the end of Slee from Zard," you say. ble crew ..." Famous last words.
"An end for him," Bishra says. "But a beginning for
us. Thanks to you, Mindor is free." ZAP!
And so are you. Free to pursue another adventure—
somewhere in the vastness of space.

100 101
You check your micro-pulser. Then you burst You punch a series of buttons marked Gravity
through the door. Boosters. A tongue of wavering pink gravitons pours
"Don't anyone move!" you command. over and engulfs the Darkstar. The ship presses in on
The Hage, a squat, warty blob with long arms, leaps itself. In moments it disappears—reduced to a mini-
up. It can't understand your words, but it understands black hole.
weapons. It streaks for the door a panic to escape. Suddenly, you realize you're moving.
The Hage even pushes Slee aside with its acid hands. "We're too close to the black hole. It's pulling us
"Oh, no!" screams the scaly-faced tyrant. "The acid! in!" 2-Tor's lights flash red.
I'm dissolving!" "I wish you'd mentioned that sooner," you say.
As the Hage disappears from view, Slee vanishes Both of you are sucked into unknown depths, from
into the floor. It only takes a moment or two. Then all which no one has ever returned.
that remains of Slee is a thin wisp of smoke. "At least we destroyed the Darkstar and her horri-
"Looks like the end of Slee from Zard," you say. ble crew ..." Famous last words.
"An end for him," Bishra says. "But a beginning for
us. Thanks to you, Mindor is free." ZAP!
And so are you. Free to pursue another adventure—
somewhere in the vastness of space.

102 103
The cyborgs open the door and toss you through. You shuttle to the far side of Mindor-6. The power
You and 2-Tor land in a room full of green powder. source 2-Tor detected isn't hard to spot. A thick
"Tor," you say. "Can you beam us out of here?" beam of blazing light shoots heavenward. The source?
"I could try, boss. It might be dangerous." Lights A massive generator, a kilometer wide.
flash as 2-Tor uses his sensors. "Slee's teleporter is "What do you suppose that is?" you wonder.
already on-line. If I activate my warper, there's no "It's a giant teleporter." 2-Tor clicks. "Somebody is
telling where we'll be dumped out" moving an awful lot of stuff. That's for sure."
You fire retros and bring the Challenger down on a
sandy plain. It's not far to the generator.
As you step outside, you see a square-headed cy-
borg chasing a tall man in a white robe. The cyborg
halts, aiming a blaster at the man.
"Help me!" cries the man.
"Stay away from him!" shouts the cyborg. "He's a
dangerous criminal!"
If you choose to ride the teleporter beam to Zard, If you choose to let the cyborg fire at the man,
If you elect to risk using your own warper, If, instead, you want to stun the cyborg with a blast
turn to page 46. from your mini-pulser, turn to page 38.
102 103
The cyborgs open the door and toss you through. You shuttle to the far side of Mindor-6. The power
You and 2-Tor land in a room full of green powder. source 2-Tor detected isn't hard to spot. A thick
"Tor," you say. "Can you beam us out of here?" beam of blazing light shoots heavenward. The source?
"I could try, boss. It might be dangerous." Lights A massive generator, a kilometer wide.
flash as 2-Tor uses his sensors. "Slee's teleporter is "What do you suppose that is?" you wonder.
already on-line. If I activate my warper, there's no "It's a giant teleporter." 2-Tor clicks. "Somebody is
telling where we'll be dumped out" moving an awful lot of stuff. That's for sure."
You fire retros and bring the Challenger down on a
sandy plain. It's not far to the generator.
As you step outside, you see a square-headed cy-
borg chasing a tall man in a white robe. The cyborg
halts, aiming a blaster at the man.
"Help me!" cries the man.
"Stay away from him!" shouts the cyborg. "He's a
dangerous criminal!"
If you choose to ride the teleporter beam to Zard, If you choose to let the cyborg fire at the man,
If you elect to risk using your own warper, If, instead, you want to stun the cyborg with a blast
turn to page 46. from your mini-pulser, turn to page 38.
104 105
At the top of the stairs you find a diamond-shaped You bid farewell to the mutants and head for the
panel. Touching the panel makes it slide open instantly. Forbidden City. Soon you reach the base of the high
You step into a circular room, lit only by the dim light crumbling wall which surrounds it.
from the window. The snow still swirls outside. You find two ways to enter. One leads through a
A tiny beep turns your attention to the shadows. jagged hole in the wall. The other way is a scorched
There's 2-Tor. steel tube. It juts out of the ground near the base of
"Am I glad to see you," you say, rushing to his side. the wall. The tube, you reason, could let you sneak
"Where is Andron-Poc, the one who locked you in into the city unseen.
here?" "What do you suggest?" you ask 2-Tor.
"Gone," says 2-Tor. "But only for the moment. "Can't say," the robot says. "1 have no input on
Soon he'll be back to drain the rest of my energy." either entrance. You choose, boss."
You hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
"Quickly!" says 2-Tor. "We can't let Andron-Poc
find us here!"
In desperation you look about the room. You have
only two choices.
If you choose to grab 2-Tor and leap from the high If you elect to go into the tube, turn to page 81.
tower, turn to page 92.
If, though, you want to enter through the wall,
If you choose to face Andron-Poc, turn to page 110. turn to page 63.
104 105
At the top of the stairs you find a diamond-shaped You bid farewell to the mutants and head for the
panel. Touching the panel makes it slide open instantly. Forbidden City. Soon you reach the base of the high
You step into a circular room, lit only by the dim light crumbling wall which surrounds it.
from the window. The snow still swirls outside. You find two ways to enter. One leads through a
A tiny beep turns your attention to the shadows. jagged hole in the wall. The other way is a scorched
There's 2-Tor. steel tube. It juts out of the ground near the base of
"Am I glad to see you," you say, rushing to his side. the wall. The tube, you reason, could let you sneak
"Where is Andron-Poc, the one who locked you in into the city unseen.
here?" "What do you suggest?" you ask 2-Tor.
"Gone," says 2-Tor. "But only for the moment. "Can't say," the robot says. "1 have no input on
Soon he'll be back to drain the rest of my energy." either entrance. You choose, boss."
You hear footsteps coming up the stairs.
"Quickly!" says 2-Tor. "We can't let Andron-Poc
find us here!"
In desperation you look about the room. You have
only two choices.
If you choose to grab 2-Tor and leap from the high If you elect to go into the tube, turn to page 81.
tower, turn to page 92.
If, though, you want to enter through the wall,
If you choose to face Andron-Poc, turn to page 110. turn to page 63.
106 107
"We'll take the tunnel to the right," you say to "Okay, 2-Tor. Let's go for the Darkstar's quark
2-Tor. cannons." You fire the Challengers pulsers. They don't
The two of you travel for nearly an hour, until at last have the firepower to destroy Scarp's guns, but they
you round a corner and spot sunlight ahead. You do knock out the guidance controls.
quicken your pace. The tunnel lets you out in the Now you're free to dive toward the ship's bridge.
center of a rubble-strewn city. Another blast of your guns wrecks Scarp's naviga-
"My sensors have located the Crystal Cube of tional equipment. The Darkstar rolls on its side like a
Knowledge," 2-Tor says suddenly. You follow the ro- dying perth-bloat worm. Moments later Scarp broad-
bot down a narrow alleyway. Then you turn right. A casts a surrender message. You warp him aboard the
huge, hairless, snouted creature looms before you. It Challenger.
pulls back and snarls. You see a row of teeth that look By day's end both you and Scarp are heading back
sharp enough to cut protanium. to base. Once there, though, your destinations will be
far different. Scarp will head for the Nebula star prison.
You, mission completed, will...
... report to the Nebula on page 115

106 107
"We'll take the tunnel to the right," you say to "Okay, 2-Tor. Let's go for the Darkstar's quark
2-Tor. cannons." You fire the Challengers pulsers. They don't
The two of you travel for nearly an hour, until at last have the firepower to destroy Scarp's guns, but they
you round a corner and spot sunlight ahead. You do knock out the guidance controls.
quicken your pace. The tunnel lets you out in the Now you're free to dive toward the ship's bridge.
center of a rubble-strewn city. Another blast of your guns wrecks Scarp's naviga-
"My sensors have located the Crystal Cube of tional equipment. The Darkstar rolls on its side like a
Knowledge," 2-Tor says suddenly. You follow the ro- dying perth-bloat worm. Moments later Scarp broad-
bot down a narrow alleyway. Then you turn right. A casts a surrender message. You warp him aboard the
huge, hairless, snouted creature looms before you. It Challenger.
pulls back and snarls. You see a row of teeth that look By day's end both you and Scarp are heading back
sharp enough to cut protanium. to base. Once there, though, your destinations will be
far different. Scarp will head for the Nebula star prison.
You, mission completed, will...
... report to the Nebula on page 115

108 109
You boldly step forward and snatch the Cube from
its pillar.
"Good," says the voice. "One who risks danger to
help others surely is worthy. Take the Crystal Cube of
Knowledge. Go. The citizens await you."
You grasp the Cube and set off. A hero's welcome
greets you outside.
The mutants set to work with the cube. So does
2-Tor. He finds a way to get in touch with the Nebula.
"Great Galaxy!" Captain Polaris exclaims. "We
thought Scarp had gotten you! One quick message
and poof! you were gone. None of the Attack Teams
we sent could find you."
You explain where you went and what happened.
"Don't worry," Polaris says. "It may take a few
months to track you down, but a rescue squad is on
the way."
"Tor," you say, "we have some time here before
returning to the Nebula. There's a civilization to rebuild."
2-Tor flashes a series of yellow lights. "After what
we've been through, that should be the easy part."

108 109
You boldly step forward and snatch the Cube from
its pillar.
"Good," says the voice. "One who risks danger to
help others surely is worthy. Take the Crystal Cube of
Knowledge. Go. The citizens await you."
You grasp the Cube and set off. A hero's welcome
greets you outside.
The mutants set to work with the cube. So does
2-Tor. He finds a way to get in touch with the Nebula.
"Great Galaxy!" Captain Polaris exclaims. "We
thought Scarp had gotten you! One quick message
and poof! you were gone. None of the Attack Teams
we sent could find you."
You explain where you went and what happened.
"Don't worry," Polaris says. "It may take a few
months to track you down, but a rescue squad is on
the way."
"Tor," you say, "we have some time here before
returning to the Nebula. There's a civilization to rebuild."
2-Tor flashes a series of yellow lights. "After what
we've been through, that should be the easy part."

110 111
You repair your micro-pulser and aim at the door. You set off for the tower at once. 2-Tor needs
But when Andron-Poc appears, his body glows like a rescuing!
reactor gone critical. "More energy!" he crackles. But before you're halfway there you meet a strange
You can't even squeeze off a pulse. Andron-Poc has barrier. It's a vast expanse of polished marbelite that
drained all the energy from your pulser—and from looks like a giant old-time checkerboard. Some squares
you. As you collapse, you feel a familiar tingling. are decorated with horizontal white stripes. Others are
Could it be? You're being warped out! made of vertical black stripes.
Nanoseconds later, you're in the Nebula's Telepor- At the edge of the huge board stands a green
tation Room. Dr. Zffrr hovers over you. "2-Tor sent a panel. When you press your hand against it a mes-
distress signal with your coordinates." sage is channeled right into your brain.
You turn to your robot friend. All his lights are dark— "Warning, alien. You have come to a void field.
totally out of energy. So are you. You'll need time to Only half the squares are solid. Stepping on the wrong
heal before you give your report. design will drop you into the void. Choose your pat-
tern carefully."
If you try your luck on the squares with horizontal

stripes, turn to page 66.
Report to the Nebula on page 115 If you think the squares with vertical stripes are the
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace. safe ones, turn to page 98.
110 111
You repair your micro-pulser and aim at the door. You set off for the tower at once. 2-Tor needs
But when Andron-Poc appears, his body glows like a rescuing!
reactor gone critical. "More energy!" he crackles. But before you're halfway there you meet a strange
You can't even squeeze off a pulse. Andron-Poc has barrier. It's a vast expanse of polished marbelite that
drained all the energy from your pulser—and from looks like a giant old-time checkerboard. Some squares
you. As you collapse, you feel a familiar tingling. are decorated with horizontal white stripes. Others are
Could it be? You're being warped out! made of vertical black stripes.
Nanoseconds later, you're in the Nebula's Telepor- At the edge of the huge board stands a green
tation Room. Dr. Zffrr hovers over you. "2-Tor sent a panel. When you press your hand against it a mes-
distress signal with your coordinates." sage is channeled right into your brain.
You turn to your robot friend. All his lights are dark— "Warning, alien. You have come to a void field.
totally out of energy. So are you. You'll need time to Only half the squares are solid. Stepping on the wrong
heal before you give your report. design will drop you into the void. Choose your pat-
tern carefully."
If you try your luck on the squares with horizontal

stripes, turn to page 66.
Report to the Nebula on page 115 If you think the squares with vertical stripes are the
to find out how you rate as a Space Ace. safe ones, turn to page 98.
112 113
You and 2-Tor beam up to the Challenger. Leaving the ship in orbit, 2-Tor warps you down.
"We must call in the fleet," you tell him. "Slee can't You find yourself standing on the steps of what
get that kronium back to Zard. The whole galaxy once was a beautiful visisteel and marbelite building.
could fall under his domination." Now it's a pile of twisted beams and smoking rubble.
While 2-Tor communicates with the fleet, you see a "I detect a life-form behind that pillar over there,
small ship rising from under the clouds of Mindor-6, boss." 2-Tor points a claw at a broken hunk of stone
heading your way. You focus your high-resolution on the ruins of the capitol steps.
scanners. The screens show a winged, needle-nosed You set your micro-pulser on STUN. Then you
craft coated with a thick layer of gold. shout in Galactic Interlanguage, "Come out We mean
"That's Slee's ship, the Firebolt," you say. "I've no harm."
seen pictures of her back at headquarters." You see movement behind the pillar. A tall woman
2-Tor whistles. "It's a pretty ship." with bulging compound eyes steps out. She holds a
"Pretty clumsy," you say. "That gold makes her large blaster—pointed your way.
heavier than a bushelful of neutrons. Once she gets "She's a citizen of Mindor," says 2-Tor. "I don't
up near light-speed, she can't stop quickly." believe she'll harm us."
No sooner has 2-Tor spoken than the woman raises
her blaster. She fires off a round that just misses your
head.
If you choose to stun her with your pulser,

turn to page 86.
If you choose to hold your fire and convince her of

Go to page 40. your friendly intentions, turn to page 64.
112 113
You and 2-Tor beam up to the Challenger. Leaving the ship in orbit, 2-Tor warps you down.
"We must call in the fleet," you tell him. "Slee can't You find yourself standing on the steps of what
get that kronium back to Zard. The whole galaxy once was a beautiful visisteel and marbelite building.
could fall under his domination." Now it's a pile of twisted beams and smoking rubble.
While 2-Tor communicates with the fleet, you see a "I detect a life-form behind that pillar over there,
small ship rising from under the clouds of Mindor-6, boss." 2-Tor points a claw at a broken hunk of stone
heading your way. You focus your high-resolution on the ruins of the capitol steps.
scanners. The screens show a winged, needle-nosed You set your micro-pulser on STUN. Then you
craft coated with a thick layer of gold. shout in Galactic Interlanguage, "Come out We mean
"That's Slee's ship, the Firebolt," you say. "I've no harm."
seen pictures of her back at headquarters." You see movement behind the pillar. A tall woman
2-Tor whistles. "It's a pretty ship." with bulging compound eyes steps out. She holds a
"Pretty clumsy," you say. "That gold makes her large blaster—pointed your way.
heavier than a bushelful of neutrons. Once she gets "She's a citizen of Mindor," says 2-Tor. "I don't
up near light-speed, she can't stop quickly." believe she'll harm us."
No sooner has 2-Tor spoken than the woman raises
her blaster. She fires off a round that just misses your
head.
If you choose to stun her with your pulser,

turn to page 86.
If you choose to hold your fire and convince her of

Go to page 40. your friendly intentions, turn to page 64.
114 115
The room explodes in a rainbow of pulsing colors.
You feel yourself breaking down cell by cell, atom by
atom.
The next thing you know, you're standing in a
charred, rocky field. A crowd of ragged, half-crazed
mutant humanoids surround you.
"Our wishes have been granted!" says a female
mutant with pointed ears. "We beg you! Help us! Go
into the Forbidden City! Bring out the Crystal Cube of
Knowledge!"
2-Tor gives a little squeal. Otherwise he's silent.
You're on your own.
WE MADE IT, BOSS!

REMEMBER THE
PAGE NUMBER YOU
CAME FROM, AMD
CHECK THE SCORES
ON THE NEXT PAGE!
If you decide to run into the barren forest nearby,

turn to page 21.
If you elect to listen to the mutant's story,
turn to page 48.
114 115
The room explodes in a rainbow of pulsing colors.
You feel yourself breaking down cell by cell, atom by
atom.
The next thing you know, you're standing in a
charred, rocky field. A crowd of ragged, half-crazed
mutant humanoids surround you.
"Our wishes have been granted!" says a female
mutant with pointed ears. "We beg you! Help us! Go
into the Forbidden City! Bring out the Crystal Cube of
Knowledge!"
2-Tor gives a little squeal. Otherwise he's silent.
You're on your own.
WE MADE IT, BOSS!

REMEMBER THE
PAGE NUMBER YOU
CAME FROM, AMD
CHECK THE SCORES
ON THE NEXT PAGE!
If you decide to run into the barren forest nearby,

turn to page 21.
If you elect to listen to the mutant's story,
turn to page 48.
116 117
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE: IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:

13, you get 9,800,396 points. CONGRATULAT1ONS- 8, you get 1,929 points.
71, you get 6,250,106 points. YOU'REASPACEACE! 26, you get 9,432 points. YOU'RE ASSIGNED TO
83, you get 8,641,999 points. 35, you get 8,243 points. ASTEROID PATROL UNTIL
68, you get 9,998 points. FURTHER NOTICE.
69, you get 9,886 points.
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE: IF CAPTAIN POLARIS

5, you get 506,923 points. NEEDS A SECOND IN
24, you get 785,009 points. COMMAND, HE'LL KNOW
44, you get 446,879 points. WHERE TO LOOK. IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:
79, you get 287 points.
GO BACK TO THE SPACE
ACADEMY!
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:

12, you get 52,689 points. TO TRY ANOTHER ADVENTURE IN
25, you get 74,489 points. NOT BAD! PUT IN SOME PLANETS IN PERIL, GO TO PAGE 3.
29, you get 15,615 points. TRAINING TIME ON THE
75, you get 96,757 points. NEBULA COMPUTER. OR
TO TAKE ON A COMPLETELY NEW CHALLENGE,
GO TO STAR CHALLENGE #2:
THE ANDROID INVASION
116 117
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE: IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:

13, you get 9,800,396 points. CONGRATULAT1ONS- 8, you get 1,929 points.
71, you get 6,250,106 points. YOU'REASPACEACE! 26, you get 9,432 points. YOU'RE ASSIGNED TO
83, you get 8,641,999 points. 35, you get 8,243 points. ASTEROID PATROL UNTIL
68, you get 9,998 points. FURTHER NOTICE.
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE: IF CAPTAIN POLARIS

5, you get 506,923 points. NEEDS A SECOND IN
24, you get 785,009 points. COMMAND, HE'LL KNOW
44, you get 446,879 points. WHERE TO LOOK. IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:
GO BACK TO THE SPACE
ACADEMY!
IF YOU WARPED IN FROM PAGE:

12, you get 52,689 points. TO TRY ANOTHER ADVENTURE IN
25, you get 74,489 points. NOT BAD! PUT IN SOME PLANETS IN PERIL, GO TO PAGE 3.
29, you get 15,615 points. TRAINING TIME ON THE
75, you get 96,757 points. NEBULA COMPUTER. OR
TO TAKE ON A COMPLETELY NEW CHALLENGE,
GO TO STAR CHALLENGE #2:
THE ANDROID INVASION

Star Challenge 01 - Planets in Peril

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Star Challenge 01 - Planets in Peril

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PLANETS

The year is 2525 A.D., an age when mankind is

The year is 2525 A.D., an age when mankind is

Would you rather take your shuttlecraft, the Challenger

Would you rather take your shuttlecraft, the Challenger

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

If you choose to escape through

If, however, you wish to go through

If you choose to escape through

If, however, you wish to go through

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

If you choose the net, turn to page 96.

Go to page 24. If you pick the sword, turn to page 34.

If you choose the net, turn to page 96.

Go to page 24. If you pick the sword, turn to page 34.

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

Go to page 37. Go to page 18.

Go to page 37. Go to page 18.

If you decide to dive behind the controls,

If, instead, you want to team up with 2-Tor

If you decide to dive behind the controls,

If, instead, you want to team up with 2-Tor

If you decide to go in, turn to page 9.

If you wait outside while Bishra goes in alone,

If you decide to go in, turn to page 9.

If you wait outside while Bishra goes in alone,

If you wait for the field to reopen

If, however, you decide to take a chance

If you wait for the field to reopen

If, however, you decide to take a chance

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

If you choose to follow the woman, turn to page 20.

If, instead, you choose to return to the Challenger

If you choose to follow the woman, turn to page 20.

If, instead, you choose to return to the Challenger

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

If you choose to stay on the job, turn to page 29.

If you want to take your chances on

If you choose to stay on the job, turn to page 29.

If you want to take your chances on

Do you want to go after Slee? If so, turn to page 94.

Would you rather knock out the teleporter? If so,

Do you want to go after Slee? If so, turn to page 94.

Would you rather knock out the teleporter? If so,

If you choose to meet the Rorvian Pest,

If you choose to meet the Rorvian Pest,

If you decide to blow away the

If, instead, you elect to talk your way in,

If you decide to blow away the

If, instead, you elect to talk your way in,

You have completed your mission.

You have completed your mission.

Co to page 111. Go to page 80.