You grope along the wall of the cavern-like chamber, seeking a door or a passageway to another part of the ship. What do the U-TY masters want of you? Why did they have to pick you—out of four billion people in the world?
YOU SHALL NOT LEAVE THE CHAMBER OF THE EARTH PEOPLE.
Once again, the voice you hear is not a voice at all, but a thought directly entering your brain.
“Press against the wall on your left.” This time another voice is speaking—a real voice! You cautiously touch the wall. Instantly, it dissolves. There, hovering in the air, is a blue-gray form, shaped like a human, but fuzzy and indistinct—like a patch of very thick fog.
“You can help us.” The creature speaks from somewhere within its vaporous, mouthless head. “My name is Incu, captive from Alara.”
“How do you know my language?” you ask.
“Think how much you can learn in 800 Earth years. ... That's how long I've been a prisoner on this ship.”
“How could I help?” you ask. “Il have no power.”
Incu holds out a tiny statue. “It has taken me hundreds of years to make this. It is an idol that the U-TY masters—the rulers of this ship—believe will lead them to Ultima, the planet of paradise. They will follow the orders of whomever holds it, if that person is a human being. I am not, but you are—so take it. But you must promise me this: if you get control of this ship, you will take me to my home planet!”
You think a moment and say, “Before I decide to promise you anything, tell me, would I be able to reach Ultima?”
“You cannot reach it by choosing what to do,” says Incu.
Before you can ask him what he means, you hear the voice inside your brain ...
FOLLOW THE AMBER LIGHTS BACK TO THE CHAMBER OF THE EARTH PEOPLE. DO NOT TALK.
DO NOT TALK. DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING WITH YOU.
“GO, and take this — but only if you will keep your promise.” Incu presses the idol toward you.