Ruhkgar leapt onto the flyer and forced the last crewman, who was the pilot, to surrender.  The pilot recognized Zak Arras and pledged allegiance to him. 

They put the smaller flyer in the crater they had been camping in and covered it with dirt. Then they loaded their gear into the larger craft and flew off beyond reasonable patrol range.  They hovered near the oasis where the carnivorous plants had attacked them.

On the first watch, Kallor avoided a Death Caller’s subsonic attack and shot it.  The enormous bear-like creature had emerged from among the plants 20 feet below, but even its 8 foot height and 5 foot reach was in sufficient.  Niven and Craven shot it.  

Ruhkgar followed suit, and in a one in a million shot, fired and killed it.  They moved the flyer off. Little and Ruhkgar took the next watch.  The were no encounters.

Craven took the third watch. The ship was beset by a flock of Chorak.  One of the blind raptors flew off with off with the Sardai girl.  Craven pushed the flyer to full speed, and several others were thrown off of the flyer.  Ruhkgar killed the one that had attacked him.  Niven killed the one attacking the wrangler.  Kallor wounded his opponent.

Niven killed Kallor’s attacker.  Craven reversed the flyer and flew at the remaining Choraks.  The flyer plowed through one, but the other three attacked.  Ruhkgar killed one.  The other two attacked Craven.  Ruhkgar ran to the rear and knocked down one of Craven’s attackers.  Then Niven killed it.  Kallor tried to assist Craven, but could not get past Ruhkgar.

Ruhkgar advanced and knocked down the last one.  Kallor could not get up to the melee.  Craven ran it through the melter and killed the giant bird.  Niven was not disturbed on the last watch.

In the morning, they considered their options.  The pilot told them that Kallor’s beloved Rillia was not in the mine, but Craven would not allow the slavery to continue.  Niven suggested taking over the large ship to gain superiority, and then force the slavers to surrender.

Using the their flyer under the guise of an ore carrier, they docked with the mothership disguised in the blue turbans of the slavers and prepared to board.

The Team

  • Sir Lyton Niven, Gentleman Thief and Spy
  • Capt. Philip Harrison Craven, WWI Flying Ace
  • Kallor Muldane – Red Man Explorer
  • Ruhkgar – Red Man Swordsmen