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shouting Flick’s name. The mound of rocks

crumbled and three massive Groundlings

sprang out clawing and growling like wild

beasts. Jay had always thought they looked

pretty silly on the computer screen - a bit like

cave men in combat gear. But that close, in

the world of the Pioneers, they weren’t funny.

They were terrifying.

Jay and the others didn’t look back until

they had leapt on to the path and skidded to a

halt on the dusty ground. No one made the

decision to stop and aim their weapons at the

Groundlings. It was safer to run.

“They’ve got Flick!” someone shouted.

“It was a trap!” cried someone else.

“Yes. And you all nearly fell for it!” yelled

Ella. “They must have grabbed Flick when she

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