"We should also keep track of how well the settlers are doing on their new planet, shouldn't we?"asked Gi.
"Wouldn't that just be a waste of our time? We already know how they're doing. Destroying it, just like they've destroyed this one. Didn't Arthur tell us that they would ruin it just by changing the oxygen content?"asked Ma.Xiomara.
"Well, yes, but surely not so fast."
"It surprises me how little you know about people, Gi. People will never change, it seems. If only they would finally finish each other off. Like in a war, or something. But of course, even something like that hurts the environment, doesn't it. Do you know, the trenches from the first World War, are still there, like scars in the earth's surface?"
"Maybe we should forget about the new planet, and start getting this project underway. Fast. The sooner, the better."Arthur said.
"Yes. You're right, Arthur. Maybe there really isn't any hope, guys, but we have to keep trying."said Wheeler.
"Well said, Wheeler."Mati said.
Meanwhile, on Isis, Olwen was furious that these strange settlers had come to invade her planet. She did not like them, however, it seemed that they intented to stay, and nothing she said or did would change their minds. No matter how coldly she treated them.
I just hate them, she thought, looking at how the plain below the mesa was being changed. The water in the river, had always been clean. Sparklingly clean. And now, it was getting dirtier. It was not clear anymore, and the fish were beginning to die.
Down in the valley, suddenly, the wind began to rise. All the settlers were startled. The sun had been shining only seconds before, and now the wind was sucking up the sand, and you could not even see your hand. Of course, they knew about the storms on Isis, however, that only happened in the spring, not now. And they did not expect on so soon, and with no shelter! They ran to find shelter wherever they could.
The next day, Arthur told the Planeteers about the storm on Isis.
"It was very odd, really. I mean after all the computer care in choosing the new planet, they were sure that nothing like this would happen. But, it seems that it was unpredictable. Look on the bright side, or not so bright side, if this new planet is unpredictable, then they will not be able to stay on it. They will have to return to Earth, and probably have no choice."
Gaia looked at him. She knew why the storm had arrived the way it did.
"They will not be able to predict these storms, Arthur."she said.
"Well, from the look of it, no. And it isn't like a rain or thunderstorm here on earth, this would be more of a radiation storm. A lot of radiation, you know, I told you about the ultraviolet, and all that. Well, It's like it would be raining that, and sand. It's difficult to explain, you know."
"I know about the storms on Isis."said Gaia.
"Who doesn't? If they read the newspapers, watch the new, etc."
"I don't."Wheeler commented.
"I think what you don't know would fill several books, Wheeler. No offense. I'm just telling the truth, you know."Arthur told him, shaking his head.
"I knew before the newspapers."said Gaia.
"What are you talking about, Gaia? Do you mean to say that you are not the spirit only of Earth, but of the other planets, too?"he asked, astonished.
Everyone looked up.
"Gaia, that would be wonderful. Maybe you could people to stay away from other planets."cried Ma.Xoaquina.
"No, I am not the spirit of the other planets. Only of Earth. But the other planets do have spirits. All of them. And the stars, too. The spirits of Isis and Ra will not be happy with people on their planets, revolving around their star."
"That must have been what caused this in the first place."cried Arthur. "Well, when the people got there, of course, they must have been surprised. They hadn't expected people, and then, the people would probably have started to, you know, use the resources there. That could not have made them happy. People aren't native to this planet, in this solar system."
"Exactly."
"Oh. So what are we supposed to about it. I guess we should warn them. That they better say good-bye to their planet and the creatures that live there. Because humans are there now, and you just have to look at Earth, and in a short time, your planet will be exactly like this one."said Ma.Xamila.
"I hate to admit, but you know, they're right."said Kwami. "We've tried so hard, but no results. What makes you think other planets will get results."
"Maybe by asking people to leave?"asked Mati. "Saying that people will not be welcomed there until they learn to take care of their own planet?"
"And people are actually going to listen? I doubt it. If they haven't listened until now, they probably never will."
"We can't give up hope. Not with out project underway."
"Exactly. This is just the last hope. Don't you see? And the only reason people will do this, of course, will be for money. Not because they care. Suppose one day we run out of money, or that we didn't have any to begin with. That would make a gigantic difference. The difference being, that no one will want to join us."
"You are too negative."
"We are not too negative. We are just realistic. It's not good to live up in fantasy land, Mati. Thinking people are angels. People are just devils."
"There are some good people."
"I've never met any of them."
"What about your parents? Us?"
"My parents had their faults. And you. Gaia chose you, and she trusts you, so we do, too. We don't question the spirit of the Earth. She gives us life."
Mati just sighed and shook his head.
"Does this mean you are not going to help?"he asked them.
"Oh, we will. We just don't think it will do much. We still believe in doing something. Maybe the something is just a waste of time, and it's useless, but it's something."
Mati looked at them very sadly. He knew they probably had a point, but they seemed to have so little hope. He knew that they were not bad. They had a lot of heart, just not where people were concerned. They would go to any lengths to save anyone, or anything. A tree, an animal, even a CD player. The only thing they would not do is save a human. In order for something, or someone to win their respect the something or someone had to be not human. They loved their family, and their friends, but they didn't hold them in a high opinion.
Suddenly, the screen came on, and on it, they saw what looked like a cross between a reptile and a human. It had greenish bronze skin, thick eyebrows, and red hair, and it looked at all of them, with an angry expression on its face.
"What is that?"screamed Wheeler.
"Olwen."said Gaia.
"Gaia! The creatures that came, claimed that they are from your planet!"
"You mean the settlers?"asked Arthur. "Does this mean that you must be the spirit of the planet Isis! Am I right?"
"I want them off my planet! Now!"she said furiously.
"Geez, don't you think you could lower your voice? We aren't deaf, you know."he said.
"I don't care what you are! I just want these disgusting creatures off my planet, and back to Earth where they belong!"
"There's nothing we can do about it!"
"You better do something, because if you don't, I will make certain that you planet suffers in a way you never thought possible! I want them off my planet!"
And she disappeared off the screen.
"She sounded pretty mad."said Kwami.
"What exactly can she do to us?"
"Lots of things."answered Gaia, with a worried look.
"Like?"
"Change the weather patterns, a lot of things."
"But she's on another planet!"
"If she is right, she can influence here on Earth, and Ra can, too."
"Oh, great. But what can we do?"
"We're going to have to do something, and that something will be that some of us here will have to go to Isis, and see if we can talk some reason into those people."
"Us?"asked Linka.
"Great. I always wanted to see aliens!"said Wheeler.
"This isn't a game, Wheeler. I'll design a spaceship, and of course, we'll have to decide to goes and who stays."said Arthur. "I don't know if the dectuplets should go. You know what their cat says about them. They shouldn't be away from the Earth, however, two of you and me should. The other ones stay, and get a head start on the project."
"No, we'll go."said Ma.Xiomara. "We'll go, and all of you will stay. It will be more organized that way, Cuzzy."
"No, no, no. Well, what if..."
"Everything will be fine."
"You guys might lose control and get violent with the settlers. That won't be good."
"We will go, whether you like it or not!"
"Maybe we should all go."said Mati, quietly.
"Fine. I think you're right, Mati. We just have to hurry."