Chapter 10Striking a balance between the increased risk of discovery and the improved chances of survival for at least part of the expedition, it was decided to establish four base camps on the planet. The areas chosen were those least frequented by the natives and were of necessity regions of extreme climate: two were near the equator, an arid desert, and a dense, damp jungle, the third was on the icebound southern polar continent and the fourth was to be a floating base in the vast southern ocean.
“Not ideal, by any means,” Taithur sighed when they had examined and accepted the computer’s choices. “But keeping out of sight is the important thing at the moment, so we’ll have to make do.” He grimaced at the complications that these savages necessitated at every turn.
Ersand was more sang
