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the fuel gauge on the control. The needle pointed to zero. They must have used up all their fuel ploughing through the horrible snotty goo, and making their rocket-powered leap off the Trojan Crab.
    ‘We’ll have to haul ourselves up the cable,’ Peri said.
    Slowly, hand over hand, Peri pulled them both up. Diesel clung to Peri’s neck with one arm, while his free hand clutched the lead cylinder.
    He was no help at all.
    For a long time, the silver egg shape of the Phoenix seemed to get no closer. Peri kept a slow and steady pace and soon they were nearly there.
    Peri flicked the com-switch and called the Bridge again.
    There was still no reply.
    Peri knocked and called out: ‘If anyone on the Phoenix can hear this, open the air-lock.’
    Nothing happened.
    Diesel growled with frustration. ‘How are we going to get in?’
     

     
    The sleek, gleaming underside of the Phoenix was right above them now. Peri reached out to touch it.
    ‘It’s no good stroking the hull!’ Diesel said. He banged on the Phoenix with the lead cylinder. ‘Let us in!’
    ‘Hey, there’s no need for that,’ Peri said, feeling suddenly protective towards the vessel. ‘Leave it alone. Let me see if I can –’
    ‘What? What are you going to do?’
    Peri’s bionic side had a special connection to the Phoenix , an instinctive understanding of the ship’s computer-brain. He laid his head against the smooth hull.
    Can you hear me, Phoenix?
    Deep inside, he felt a tingle in his bionic circuits that told him he had made contact with the ship.
    Request permission to come aboard.
    Again, he felt that tingling. He sensed the ship telling him: Permission granted.
    Phoenix , Peri thought, we need to be hidden from the sensors. It is very important to the safety of our friends.
    The air-lock slid silently open. Peri and Diesel hauled themselves on board.
    ‘Wow!’ Diesel said. ‘What did you do?’
    ‘We just had a little chat, me and the ship,’ Peri said.
    The outer door closed behind them. The air-lock flooded with oxygen. Arms shot from the walls and removed their Expedition Wear.
    Peri felt a whisper in his mind. He screwed up his face in concentration as he listened to the Phoenix .
    ‘What’s wrong with your face?’ Diesel asked.
    ‘We have to go to the Bridge,’ Peri said. ‘Right now.’

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Peri and Diesel cautiously made their way along the silent corridors of the Phoenix , phasers in hand.
    ‘What do you think’s happened?’ Diesel whispered.
    ‘I don’t know,’ Peri whispered back. ‘I only know there’s some kind of danger. Maybe an intruder.’
    They approached the Bridge. Peri touched the wall. It slid open. He and Diesel leapt in, holding their phasers out in front of them.
    Jaxx was alone on the Bridge, standing by the control panel. He smiled. ‘Hello. I trust the mission was a success?’
    Peri and Diesel looked at each other in bewilderment. Jaxx seemed calm and relaxed. There was no evidence of any danger or any intruders.
    ‘What happened?’ Peri asked. ‘Why didn’t anyone answer when I tried to get through?’
    ‘Sorry – we’ve been a little bit busy here,’ Jaxx said.
    ‘Busy doing what?’ Diesel demanded.
    ‘Oh, this and that,’ Jaxx said casually. ‘Did you get the Heart of Mars?’
    ‘Yes,’ Peri said. ‘Eventually.’
    ‘May I see it?’ Jaxx held out his hand.
    Diesel clutched the lead cylinder to his chest. ‘No one touches this except me!’
    Jaxx squared his shoulders. ‘You’d better hand it over,’ he said, a hint of steel in his voice now.
    ‘Hey,’ Peri said as he noticed something else. ‘Where are Selene and Otto?’
    ‘They’re safe,’ Jaxx said, ‘for now. However, they will be in great danger if you don’t give me the Heart!’
    ‘What are you saying?’ Peri asked.
    ‘You’re not very bright for a Star Fighter, are you?’ Jaxx said, shaking his head. ‘I can see I’m going to have to spell this out in small words: Give. Me. The. Heart.