It is disputed if Maya did it on purpose. However, Komov takes the responsibility for the failure of the mission on himself. Gorbovsky contacts Komov and tells him that most likely humans will not be able to establish a contact with Ark Megaforms because they are a closed civilization that avoids contacts with others. Gorbovsky informs Komov that an ancient satellite was discovered orbiting Ark. The satellite was built by the Wanderers and was programmed to destroy any approaching spaceship. Apparently, this satellite shot down the Pilgrim 13 years ago. Humans conclude that the Wanderers wanted to prevent anyone from contacting Ark Megaforms. In the epilogue of the novel, Popov talks to the Kid over the video transmitter and reflects on the decisions made by the humans. The humans decided to evacuate Ark and the only remaining contact is through the Kid. Komov, some of his teammates and Piere's grandfather are allowed to talk to him. However, they should carefully avoid any themes related to Ark Megaforms. In the novel there is no mention whether the Ark Project was ever concluded. Publication history The Brothers Strugatsky conceived the idea for the novel in 1970. The working book title was "Operation MOWGLI", however was eventually published under the title Kid. Boris Strugatsky admitted that the brothers did not like the title, which was only chosen as the official name because the publisher wanted it. The novel was written in 1970 and is one of a series of books set in the Noon Universe. The novel was published the year after in the journal Aurora. The English translation was included in a single volume entitled Escape Attempt with the other Noon universe stories Escape Attempt and The Kid from Hell. In the process of creating a 12 Volume collection of the works of the Brothers Strugatsky (Publisher Stalker, in the year 2000) Boris Strugatsky gave legal permission for the dates to be changed in the novel. As such, the dates 20th, 231st, 233rd and 234th years became 34th, 144th, 147th, 148th years. Movie adaptations A partial adaptation in the third episode of the show This Fantastical World (1980). Kid, television movie, theatrical adaptation in the Central Children’s Theatre (1987). Unplanned Meetings, Česká televize film (1995). English releases Strugatsky, Arkady and Boris. Escape Attempt (Best of Soviet Science Fiction) translated by Roger DeGaris. New York: Macmillan Pub Co, May 14, 1982, 321 pp.