Holding the idol in your outstretched hand, you command the U-TY, "Take this ship to the planet Earth!"

IT SHALL BE DONE. TIME TO EARTH ORBIT THIRTEEN DAYS.

You return to Incu. "I'm sorry I can't take you to your home planet, but I'm sure you would be welcomed o  Earth." "Perhaps," says Incu, "bu  my body would not hold together in the strong winds that blow on your planet." "Are you sure there is no way we can get to Ultima, the planet of paradise?" you ask. "Not by any choice you could make," says Incu. "Then, as soon as the U-TY let me off on Earth, I will direct them to take you to Alara. That won't be too difficult for them to do, will it?" "I'm afraid it will be," Incu replies. "Once you leave this ship, the UM/ will imprison me and take me to the zoo on the imperial planet of Ra." "I'm sorry..." You turn toward the great window and stare out at the star-studded blackness of space.

During the first few days of your voyage home, you learn how to activate the display screens. With the ship's powerful radio telescope, you pick up transmissions from other civilizations. The U-TY instruments bring you in touch  the wonders of the universe.

But all is not well. Incu seems to be growing smaller. "What is happening,  Incu?" you ask.

"I am losing molecules," he replies in a thin, weak voice.

"That is what happens to our people when we lose our will to live."

You realize that Incu will die unless you change course to his home planet. Should you order the U-TY to turn back to Alara to save Incu, or should you just try to forget about him?

~ If you order the U-TY to head for Alara,

< GO TO CHAPTER 41 >

~ If you allow the ship to continue on to Earth,

< GO TO CHAPTER 44 >