SYNOPSIS:

Mognath, ruler of Versith 5, needs Thidium. His race of aliens needs it to survive. But at fifteen feet tall, the Versithians are much too big to work in the treacherous mines. They need slaves to mine the precious mineral for them. Mognath brokers a deal with the Soothians—a race of reptilian like creatures renowned for being pirates. They are allowed to raid vessels, turn over the crew, and keep 1/3 of the payload. The crews are brought to Versith 5 and imprisoned. Dar Meltom is a half-breed Earthling and Satiren. He’s captain of the Marsuian, the fastest, most highly armed freighter in the galaxy. Unfortunately, he’s no match for six Soothian cruisers, and is captured. His sidekick, Schmuff, a Nouian, remains hidden on board. The ship is taken to Versith, and Dar imprisoned. He rebels about having to work in the mines and is whipped into submission. The Soothians continue their raids. They attack a freighter coming from Nerit 2, which is carrying cargo that’s supposed to go to Mognath. Turning over the crew, they decide to keep the cargo, which looks quite valuable. Nokkis, the lead pirate, opts not to tell Mognath he has the cargo, thinking he can sell it for a good price. They don’t realize the cargo is the Plexus—a device capable of controlling the volatile atmosphere on Versith. If Mognath doesn’t get the Plexus, his planet will be destroyed by the weather. Knowing their planet is in jeopardy, the Versithians have been exploring planets that may hold promise for colonization. One planet, Kruelis, contains rich deposits of Thidium, but the atmosphere is too hostile for the Versithians to survive. The Kruelians aren’t happy with the idea of their planet being stripped for its resources, so they send Princess Parnela Vischof, as a special envoy to Versith to try and broker a deal. Parnela meets with Mognath and he’s not impressed with her offer. He wants the Thidium—all of it. Once he hears that his Plexus has disappeared, Mognath loses his sense of humor and Parnela becomes a captive of Versith. He wants to use her captivity to force her people to go after the Soothian pirates. When the Kruelians refuse to offer troops, Mognath finds himself in a situation. He needs the Plexus. Not having any luck bargaining with the Kruelians, he decides to try a different approach. He stations a mass contingent of Renthids—hired thugs that hold Kruelis under siege. Their orders are to kill the Kruelians if Dar fails to deliver the Plexus. Dar is summoned from the mines and told if he can retrieve the Plexus, he can go free. He agrees, hoping maybe he can make a run for it. But Mognath pairs him with Parnela. She’s to make sure he completes the mission, or the Versithians would order the death of her people. And Dar's home planet of Erotis is also threatened. He has no choice but to accept the mission. Returned to his ship, Dar finds Parnela waiting for him. He’s smitten with her beauty, and she’s not at all impressed with his half-breed pedigree. They set out in search of the Plexus. Dar methodically tracks down Nokkis, and each time they get close, he manages to escape. Time is running out for both planets. Finally trapping Nokkis in a corner of the universe near a black hole, he fights it out with him, and retrieves the Plexus. Then it’s a race to get back to Versith with the device so the planet can be saved. They arrive just in time. Mognath activates the Plexus, and the atmosphere stabilizes. Parnela asks that the Renthids be withdrawn, and Mognath decides he wants Kruelis as well. Parnela discovers she’s been double crossed and asks Dar for help. They get control of the Plexus, and hold it for ransom. Mognath realizes they hold the key to his planet’s future, and readily agrees to withdraw the Renthid troops from Kruelis. Dar knows Mognath will never let him leave alive, he’ll be hunted down for the rest of his life. Once they receive word the troops have been withdrawn; Dar sabotages the Plexus and makes an escape. Versith is destroyed. He takes Parnela to Kruelis where he is given a hero’s welcome. No longer is the half-breed an unsightly outcast, he’s revered among the Kruelian people. Parnela realizes Dar isn’t so bad, and finally admits her feelings for him.

SPACE JUNK