You take the idol and start down the passageway, following the moving amber lights. The object in your hand seems to be a statue of a human head —  a strangely distorted head.

Suddenly the lights grow brighter. You can see the idol more clearly. It looks like one of the mysterious stone statues erected in ancient times by the inhabitants of Easter Island, in the South Pacific. But you have no chance to think further. The voice of the U-TY sounds in your brain.

LIE DOWN AND SLEEP NOW.

You want to resist, but you feel drowsy, very drowsy. You lie down and doze off. wondering—what good is this idol? What powers does it have? How will it get you home?

You awaken to find yourself in another room. Floating in mid-air are three glowing, pulsating spheres. Your skin tingles; your hair stands on end.

YOU HAVE DISOBEYED THE U-TY. YOU WILL BE SENT TO SOMO TO SLEEP FOR A BILLION YEARS.

So it is these highly charged forms that have been transmitting thoughts into your brain. The U-TY masters!

You hold up the idol and thrust it toward the glowing forms. Instantly they glide toward the floor. Their light dims. The chamber is filled with a low whistling sound.

YOU ARE THE KEY. YOU CAN LEAD US TO ULTIMA. COMMAND, AND WE SHALL FOLLOW.

As these words ring inside your brain, you realize the idol does have power. The U-TY think that you can lead them to Ultima,, the planet of paradise. You want to ask them to take you to Earth, but you remember that you promised Incu to return him to his home planet.

"How long will it take us to reach Alara?" you ask.

SIXTEEN YEARS.

You feel a sinking feeling. Sixteen years, and sixteen more to return to Earth—thirty-two years on this spaceship! This will be your fate if you keep your promise to Incu.

~ If you keep your promise to Incu, and order the U-TY to take the space craft to Alara,

< GO TO CHAPTER 42 >

~ If you decide not to worry about Incu, and order the U-TY to take you directly to Earth,

< GO TO CHAPTER 35 >