Their upward movement ended with them slamming into the ceiling, where the fan supports were located. Jerrix grabbed Gerry and pulled him towards him.

“Hold on to this bar my friend.”

“Thanks. How can we get out of here?”

Jerrix pointed to the control box below the swirling blades.

“I will have to shin down there. I only hope it’s not bolted.”

Gerry watched as he did this, crouching over the intended target. He examined the box and sighed when he noticed the Perspex cover.

“This won’t take long,” he shouted up.

He managed to stand and brought his foot down sharply. Moments later, the blades slowed to a final stop.

“Now shin down beside me Gerry.”

When he did so, the cat pointed to the floor.

“Do you think you can jump?”

“Do I have an option?”

The cat smiled and said, “Not really.”

Gerry looked down before stepping into space. The landing was fairly hard but he managed it. Jerrix landed beside him and they saw the exit swish open.

Jerrix glanced at him saying, “Here we go again.”

In the next chamber they found a circular device and reaching it saw a number of coloured bars. Eight of them in all. Gerry was fairly puzzled.

“Some kind of puzzle,” he commented.

“Seems like it. Now let me see...”

The cat studied it carefully before arranging four of the bars into a square base. Then he balanced the remaining four from the corners to form a pyramid.

As the exit opened, the jubilant feline muttered, “Voila.”

Gerry shook his head as the cat beamed.

“Now that was a little too easy. I suspect something nasty is waiting through there.”

“I hope not,” Gerry replied as they walked through.

Jerrix had been correct of course. They found themselves confronted with an armed knight who was obviously an automated construct.

“Well, well,” Jerrix muttered. “It seems we are being forced to
fight.”

The knight was armed with a sword and axe and a grating voice addressed them.

“Choose your weapon.”

For Jerrix, the choice was obvious.

“Throw me the axe.”

The knight tossed the weapon across and the cat caught it expertly.

“Now Gerry stay put. Let me deal with him.”

“Be my guest,” the boy replied folding his arms.

Jerrix moved forward moving around the knight carefully.

“You are a gorgeous machine. It would be shameful to damage you.”

The knight replied by swinging the sword and moving forward. Blades crashed as the cat defended himself, stepping back and blocking the thrust.

The knight countered by stepping left and swinging the blade head wards. Jerrix ducked as a foot lashed out, sending him sprawling across the floor.

Gerry gasped as the knight advanced slashing down. The cat rolled clear and sprang up shaking his head.

“This is getting really tricky.”

He watched as the knight circled once more before the sword slashed again. The cat blocked it before stepping back and swirling around violently with axe raised.

He felt the crunch as the blade struck, severing the helmet from the shoulders. As it rolled across the floor, the useless body collapsed. Jerrix dropped the axe, panting heavily.

The exit opened and the friends padded through.

“Seems like you have fenced before,” Gerry said.

“It was a long time ago. Not something that I wanted to repeat.”

In the next chamber, they found a simple blackboard standing on an easel. They moved towards it and saw the following puzzle, written in white chalk.

If a=30 and c=4770? What does b=?

Jerrix folded his paws.

“You can solve that one Gerry.”

The boy looked at the puzzle, taking a piece of chalk in his fingers. After a moment, he wrote 2400.

“Add 30 to 4770 and divide by two,” Jerrix said. “Well done lad.”

As the chalk was replaced, the exit was revealed and they stepped through. They found themselves in a white padded chamber.

“Now what?” Gerry asked.

“Your guess is as good as my own.”

Gerry glanced around and spotted the gasmasks hanging from a hook. Next to them hung to pairs of gloves. The hidden meaning was rather ominous.

The schoolboy ran forward and pulled them down before tossing a mask and gloves towards the cat.

“Put these on,” he insisted.

Jerrix needed no urging.

As soon as they were protected, red smoke began seeping into the cell, pouring from an upper vent. As the cat watched, Gerry clambered onto the wall and began climbing.

“Velcro gloves,” the cat muttered.

As Gerry clambered higher, ignoring his fear of heights, he reached the high ceiling and spotted two controls. He pushed the first and the smoke stopped escaping. After pushing the second, the gas was sucked out. He clambered down as the exit opened.

Removing the gear, they walked through and saw an even stranger sight. Midway across a darkened chamber, a target swung on a metallic chain. Jerrix saw the loaded crossbow lying upon the dark floor.

He picked the weapon up and said, “We only get one chance at this.”

“Better not miss then,” Gerry replied smiling.

The cat carefully aimed and when he was sure, pressed the trigger.
To his understandable relief, it struck home. As it did so, the final door opened.

The cat smiled and dropped the crossbow.

“Nearly there.”
---
Entering the next room slowly, Jerrix and Gerry found themselves looking at another chasm. A single tube crossed this space towards the exit point.

I can’t cross that,” the schoolboy insisted. “I’ll fall off.”

“You will have to Gerry. I think this is the final test.”

At that moment, arrows started firing from right to left and the cat glared.

“I hate being used for target practice.”

“This is a death trap,” Gerry commented.

“This whole labyrinth has been a death trap,” the cat reminded him.

Jerrix looked into the surrounding darkness and noticed struts bolted to the walls.

“You had better stay here,” he said. “I have to do a bit of climbing.”

Gerry watched as he eased across the ledge and leapt. He grabbed the first strut and swinging expertly reached a second. Arrows flew but they were nowhere near him.

“Is there a way around?” the boy asked.

“Not quite. I can see some kind of lever here.”

Jerrix swung and reached the final strut. Reaching up, he pulled the lever down and to his relief, the arrows stopped.

“That was a lot easier than I thought,” the cat muttered, swinging his way back to the ledge.

“I still can’t cross this?” Gerry complained as the exit door swished open.

Jerrix tapped his shoulder gently.

“Just follow my example.”

He stepped onto the tube, and with paws outstretched made his way across gingerly. Gerry held his breath until the cat was across. After reaching safety, Jerrix turned towards him and said, “As easy as pie. Now come on.”

Seconds later a lone arrow swished from nowhere, striking the cat squarely in the chest. He staggered back, before toppling through the exit.

Gerry’s hand was over his mouth now in silent shock. Forgetting his instinctive fear, he climbed on and placing one foot in front of the other, made his way to safety. He expected an arrow to cut him down, but to his eternal relief, nothing happened.

Scrambling off, he jumped through the exit and saw the cat lying side on upon a metallic floor. The arrow had been pulled out, but his breathing was torturous.

Gerry quickly knelt beside him.

“This wasn’t the last test,” he muttered. “We are inside another room.”

Jerrix rolled onto his back gasping.

“That is the problem with prisons,“ he said weakly. “Even when you escape, they are loath to release you.”

“I think you are badly wounded,” the boy said shaking with fear.

Jerrix shook his furry head slowly.

“Press my throat clasp.”

Gerry did so and saw the soft green glow of the ship appear.

“We can leave,” the boy exclaimed.

“Now go,” the cat whispered.

“I’m not leaving you.”

“You won’t have to, I’m coming with you. At least after I change colour.”

His eyes closed and the body went still and silent. Gerry simply stared as the form faded to a spectral image. He expected it to vanish completely when it returned to solidity once more.

The eyes opened and the cat scrambled to his feet. Gerry stood as well, mouth gaping.

“Something the matter young man?”

Gerry pointed.

“Your fur’s gone black and a white bib is below your throat. Even your eyes have gone yellow.”

“Don’t you worry now,” Jerrix said placing a paw upon his shoulder. “I think we should leave, don’t you?”

Gerry allowed himself to be led into the soft green light. As they reached it, they promptly vanished.
---
As the two friends walked from the ship, it was obvious that they had been arguing.

“Look, I don’t want to know who imprisoned us. With that kind of
power they are best left alone.”

“That’s just cowardice,” Gerry told him.

“You simply have no idea young man. We only just got out of there you know.”

Gerry was not satisfied by his explanations. So he turned to the subject of the ship.

“I think you need a scanner Jerrix. We never know if it is safe to go outside.”

Jerrix stopped.

“The ship would never land us somewhere without air young man. I have never needed such a device and do not intend to put one in now.”

“Oh, that is just silly.”

“I know what is wrong with you. You just want to leave.”
Gerry scowled.

“I have no intention of leaving. This is my only chance to explore the galaxy. I won’t turn that down. Where are we anyway?”

This show of interest calmed the cat down. As it was intended to.

“Terros Six young man. I was here donkey’s back. Helped them with
their crop blight you know. Thanks to my intervention, thousands were saved.”

“You must be proud of that achievement.”

Jerrix smiled.

“Naturally. It’s not all death and destruction you know. Now, if I remember rightly, this dirt track will take us to Prince Ruprecht’s castle.”

“There are real castles here?”

“Terros six has not advanced since the thirteenth century young man. I rather like it.”

Gerry saw the dirt track they were following as it wended its way through the thick forest. In the near distance, unusual grunts drifted towards them. The schoolboy felt a little nervous.

“I suppose you know what those are.”

The cat pricked up his ears and said, “Sounds like wild hogs. We should be safe enough. Unless of course it is the mating season.”

“Then I hope it is not,” Gerry said.

As he spoke, hoof beats suddenly approached and Gerry saw four riders in full gleaming armour making their way through the trees. He watched with open mouth.

“Well,” Jerrix muttered as the riders rode out of sight. “No chance of a lift then.”

“I feel a long walk coming on,” Gerry suggested.

“Long and rather hot I am afraid. This black fur makes me a little too warm.”

Gerry smiled. He actually liked it. His dad’s cat was similarly attired.

They made their way along the potted track, hogs grunting seeming to follow. Gerry saw a movement under the surrounding trees. He quickly realised they were only dead leaves being disturbed in the breeze.

As the cat’s blue cloak fluttered, the bed of leaves rose and ruffians surrounded them with swords drawn.
Jerrix raised his paws in surrender. Gerry thought it best to follow suit.

“What do we have here?” the tallest ruffian asked. “A pair of toffs
perhaps?”

Jerrix stared at him coldly.

“If you stop prodding me with that sword I may answer that.”

“Perhaps I should just slit you and save me the trouble.”

A smaller ruffian stepped forward and said, “Tamos, perhaps we can bargain for their release.”

On hearing the name, Jerrix lowered his paws.

“Tamos? Prince Ruprecht’s bodyguard?”

Tamos was surprised.

“Former if you please. You know me?”

“We never met,” Jerrix told him. “I spoke to the prince concerning the crop blight.”

Tamos laughed.

“You must be Jerrix then. The source of all our troubles. We have made an elegant catch indeed.”

“What do you mean troubles?” the cat demanded.

Tamos lowered his weapon and said, “Take them to our camp boys. I smell gold here.”

The band of ruffians manhandled the friends into the encroaching forest and toward their encampment.

“What do you think will happen to us?” Gerry asked fearfully.

The cat shook his furry head.

“That depends on Tamos I am afraid. If the prince does not play ball. Well...”

He did not need to finish. His meaning was as plain as the pimple on your nose.