Landing on Fornax with its heavy gravitational field has left the Orbit Jet's fuel tanks empty. Rocky and the crew are depending on their being life on Fornax to replenish their tanks for the return trip. After checking that the atmosphere is safe to breathe, they approach a large building. The door opens and Zorovac, ruler of Fornax, greets them. With him is Pofessor Cardos, a scientist who disappeared under suspicious circumstances a few years in the past. Professor Newton and Rocky are distrustful of Cardos. Using their electronic equipment to eavesdrop, they learn that Cardos is planning to appropriate the Orbit Jet to return to Earth for his own selfish purposes. Zorovac agrees to let the Earth crew refuel their ship using Fornax minerals while Bobby enjoys playing with Zorovac's daughter Volaca. Rocky takes the ship for a test flight and finds that the instruments have been jimmied. Luckily, he is able to return. Zorovac is suspicious that Cardos's portrayal of Earthlings as greedy exploiters is wrong. He is hoping to visit Earth to see for himself what Earth culture is like. Bobby, Vena and the Professor will be left on Fornax as collateral.
—Garon Smith