Astrosaurs 2 (8 page)

“Perhaps we should
all
get eating,” said Arx gravely. “We need to make more fuel for the engines.”

“Of course,” said Gipsy, wrinkling her nose. “More dung!”

“It's a big job,” said Teggs.
“Several
big jobs, in fact.”

“Leave it to me and my boys,” smiled Iggy. “We'll have a good meal while we fix the engines. Then we'll fill them up for you – no sweat!”

Teggs saluted him. “I knew I could count on you!”

Iggy saluted in return, and left the flight deck.

Gipsy pulled a face. “Well, while Iggy gets to the
bottom
of things in the engine room, I'll try to listen in on the oviraptors.”

“Good idea,” said Teggs. “We might learn what they're planning.”

Gipsy's hands flicked over the controls.

Suddenly, a spooky wailing sound crackled out of the speakers.

“What is
that?”
asked Teggs. “Sounds like a ghost!” said Dippa.

“Or faulty speakers,” Arx added.

“I think it sounded like someone in distress,” said Gipsy. She pressed some more buttons. “Yes, I've got a fix on the signal now. It's coming from somewhere outside!”

“Impossible!” snapped Professor Sog. “How could anyone live in this terrible place?”

“We'd better find out,” said Teggs. “Because if we can't get the ship fixed – we'll be joining them!”

The crew got ready to go outside. Then they gathered at the ship's main hatchway.

Teggs had changed into his battle armour, and Gipsy had slipped on her combat suit. If it came to a fight, they would be ready.

Gipsy joined Teggs as he stared out onto the strange, dark planet.

“Do you think we'll really get out of this mess?” she whispered.

“We've got to, Gipsy,” said Teggs softly. He gave her a crooked smile. “I can't stop exploring space yet! I haven't discovered my very own star dragon!”

“Speaking of discoveries . . .” said Arx, shuffling over. “I wonder what we'll find out there?”

“Well, whoever was making that noise, we can find them this,” said Gipsy, tapping gadget on her wrist. “It's a special tracker. The faster it bleeps, the closer we are.”

“Why can't we just hide on the
Sauropod
until Iggy's fixed the engines?” asked Dippa.

Teggs shook his head. “If the oviraptors come aboard, they'll sniff out the eggs in seconds. Out there in the storm, they'll find it harder. Besides, Iggy and the boys have some important jobs to do. They mustn't be put off by a load of rotten reptiles running about.”

Just then, a flash of lightning lit up
the sky. Gipsy thought she caught a glimpse of something moving just outside.

“We'd better get going,” she said nervously.

Teggs led the way out onto the surface of the unpleasant planet, through the howling wind and the drenching rain. The ground was smooth and slippery beneath their feet. He had the feeling they were being watched.

Lightning flashed again. Teggs caught a sudden movement from the comer of his eye. Dark shapes, small and nasty, creeping towards them.

“Look out!” he yelled, “It's the oviraptors!”

“It sure is,” gurgled Goopo.

“Worst luck for you!” snarled King Albu.

He snapped his claws
and his sons rushed to form a tight circle around the dinosaurs. Teggs saw now that each of them held a ray gun.

“We're trapped!” gasped Gipsy.

Arx lowered his horns. “I could charge them, Captain.”

“They'd blast you before you got close,” hissed Teggs. “I won't let them add roast triceratops to their mad menu!”

“Now then, Captain Teggs,” said King Albu. “You know what I want: eggs!” A dreamy look came into his eyes. “Yes, I said eggs! E-G-G-S. Eggs, eggs, eggs, eggs.”

He started drooling. “gggggggggggg mmmmmm.”

One by one, his sons started dribbling too. “Eggggggs,” they echoed.

But not Prince Shelly. He threw down his gun crossly. “This is
silly
, Father!” he complained. “Our ship's lying in pieces! We're stranded billions of miles from home! And all you care about are a few lousy eggs!”

“Lousy?” gasped King Albu in shock. “You dare . . . to call eggs . . .
lousy?”

The oviraptors all booed and hissed Prince Shelly.

And while they were distracted, Teggs struck.

He lashed out with his armoured tail. Blue sparks shot from the end, and four of the little reptiles were sent flying.

“Now, Arx!” Teggs cried.

The triceratops charged at Prince Goopo, who cried out in terror and ran. He screeched so loudly that the others dropped their guns as they scrabbled to block their ears.

Then Gipsy sprang into action. With
a
few well-placed jabs, kicks and tail-swipes she flattened five more of the oviraptors.

But King Albu had grabbed one of the rag guns. He started firing wildly. Bolts of white light sizzled through the air.

“Run!” cried Teggs as one of the laser beams whistled past his ear.

Rushing for cover, Arx and Coo went one way while Gipsy and Sog went another. Dippa ran off all by herself, so
Teggs chased after her.