‘The Phoenix is the only ship to have made it through my sophisticated booby traps. Imagine what I could do with such a fabulous vessel! But the Phoenix is useless without you, Peri. If you and your crew come and work for me, I’ll let you live.’ Another face appeared on the screen behind him. This one was as white as a summer cloud on Earth, and it had two mouths, one in each cheek. Both sets of teeth were chattering in terror. The eye in the back of Tonka’s head swivelled up to look at the latest face. ‘Yes,’ he shouted. The white alien’s two mouths grinned broadly as the screen went black once more. ‘I can always use a smart spaceman,’ Tonka said to Peri. ‘And if we don’t agree to work for you?’ Peri asked. ‘Then you’ll be as useful as trash.’ The Mezzoka Clan boss pressed a button on the throne and a giant screen appeared above him. It showed a yellow-skinned alien strapped into a firing tube. ‘And trash . . . gets flung into space.’ Peri felt his throat tighten as he realised what the clan boss was about to do.
