The Slime Volcano Read Free

Crawlers didn’t look delicious.
    If Slime Crawlers were the only food source, Grimor wouldn’t make a good Earth 2. And after doing a quick analysis on his SpaceCuff, Kip could tell the air wasn’t safe to breathe either.
    The reasons why humans couldn’t live on Grimor were mounting fast. Kip explained his thinking to Finbar.
    â€˜Let’s call MoNa and get going,’ Finbar suggested softly.
    Somehow, Kip felt sad to leave without knowing more about the aliens. They did seem interesting – just very grubby. But it was time to go home.
    He tried to call MoNa on his SpaceCuff.
    Communicate mode:

    â€˜My signal is blocked for some reason,’ Kip said, annoyed. ‘We’ll have to try moving to higher ground to call MoNa.’
    By now, the waterfall of slime had slowed to a trickle. Kip and Finbar backed out of the cave without disturbing the aliens.
    Zorg was talking to Zert in an urgent voice.
    â€˜He’s still going on about that slime pond,’ Kip said, checking his SpaceCuff. ‘Maybe they’re going swimming!’
    Finbar looked grossed out.
    Kip needed to find the best spot for reception so he could talk to MoNa. ‘I think we’ll have to climb up there,’ he said, after a minute. ‘Even though it’s an –’
    â€˜Active volcano!’ Finbar cut in. ‘We’re NOT climbing that. It just erupted!’ The Suckerbot spun its wheels nervously.
    Kip shrugged. ‘Unless you want to stay here, it’s our only choice.’
    In the high-gravity atmosphere, the climb would be tough and dangerous. And if the volcano erupted again, Kip and Finbar would be swept away in boiling-hot slime.
    Luckily, they had their voice-activated Arachnalegs. These would give them vital support during the dangerous climb ahead.
    Kip and Finbar started tramping heavily to the base of the volcano. When they got there, Kip engaged his Arachnalegs. All six suction caps stuck firmly on the ground.

    WorldCorp Arachnalegs
    Then Kip started climbing up the volcano, with the Arachnalegs supporting his weight. Finbar followed close behind, carrying the Suckerbot.
    It was hard going up the volcano, especially with the high gravity dragging them backwards.
    â€˜Are you having fun?’ Kip asked Finbar, trying to joke.
    Finbar didn’t answer. He’d stopped, tail stuck straight out the back of his spacesuit. Uh-oh, that’s his distress signal! Kip thought.
    There was an angry rumble deep inside the volcano.
    â€˜It’s erupting again!’ Finbar yelled. ‘JUMP!’

CHAPTER 5
    Blazing blue slime spurted from the crater. Kip and Finbar had to move or they’d be drenched!
    â€˜I’m falling!’ Finbar yelled as slime loosened the suction caps on his Arachnalegs. He gripped the Suckerbot tightly. ‘Me too!’ Kip yelled.

    Kip was dragged down into the boiling slime. Luckily his spacesuit seemed to be able to withstand the heat.
    â€˜Watch your head!’ Finbar roared.
    Too late. The slime picked Kip up and hurled him into a somersault!
    He bashed his helmet against a rock. His head rattled hard inside it, and then the world went black…

    â€˜Can you hear me?’ whispered a voice.
    Woozily, Kip opened his eyes. Finbar was beside him, looking worried. Next to him were the dirty faces of Zorg and Zert.
    â€˜They found us at the bottom of the volcano,’ Finbar said. ‘They brought us home and nursed you.’
    Up close, Kip could see that the aliens had friendly faces. He stuck out his hand for a handshake. Zorg took Kip’s hand and patted himself three times on the shoulder with it.
    That must be their version of shaking hands , Kip thought, trying not to giggle as he patted himself with Zorg’s hand.
    He looked around. He was in a spotlessly clean circular room. There was blue matting on the floor made of dried slime vines woven together. In one corner was a pile of plastic-wrapped bags of