on the screen indicating that they are from Earth, and the cavern is filled with air. Koenig and Alan remove their helmets as a voice, speaking English, apologizes for the delay in recognizing their environmental needs and language. Koenig explains that Moonbase Alpha is headed for their planet, and destruction, but the voice, a machine, cannot help them. It is waiting for its masters, the intelligent life of the planet, to be born. Until this occurs, it cannot do anything to help. The voice advises Koenig to leave, but he refuses. He wants answers. Maya buzzes in and warns of a great increase in energy, followed by the chamber filling with electrical explosions. Koenig and Alan return hurriedly to the Eagle and attempt to lift off. The Eagle is surrounded by an energy barrier, but with some struggle, Alan is able to escape the trap. They make their way toward the planet and touch down. Immediately the ground beneath the Eagle lowers, and it is revealed they have landed on an elevator that brings them deep beneath the planet surface. Another voice informs them they may leave the Eagle, the atmosphere has been prepared for them. Maya, Koenig and Alan disembark and find themselves in another chamber with pedestals and globes. A globe bounces from one pedestal to another, and the voice they heard, emanating from a white globe, informs them it is Voice Probe 748. Koenig asks if the masters have physical form. "Of course, but the atmosphere they breathe is chlorine." The voice explains that the living creatures on this planet "exist for an allotted span, and then grow old as you humans do. But instead of dying, they enter a chrysalis stage, to emerge rejuvenated, physically perfect, mentally clean. While they are sleeping they are defenseless." The globes serve as their protectors. But there is one of the living creatures, The Guardian, who keeps watch. Koenig asks to speak with The Guardian, and follows the new bouncing sphere toward another chamber. In it they find an oblong container in one of the "Centers of Rejuvenation." Koenig pleads with the creature inside the container to save Alpha, but his responses, translated by the globe, make no sense. The Guardian has gone senile, and must enter the rejuvenation chamber. Alan demands that the Guardian help them, and in struggling to keep the container from entering the chamber, tips it