Star Born · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Star Born by Andre Norton.
Chapter 1
Epigraph
The epigraph presents a question from Tas Kordov about the identity of future generations born on a new world, pondering whether they will remain Terrans or become something else.
Chapter 2
Star Born
The chapter introduces the world of Astra and the mermen, focusing on Dalgard Nordis and his merman companion Sssuri as they navigate a world shaped by the legacy of an ancient alien race. Themes of colonization, cultural clash, and survival emerge as they explore the remnants of the 'Those Others' civilization.
Chapter 3
Shooting Star
Dalgard and Sssuri, a human colonist and a merman, land their outrigger in a sheltered cove on Astra. They set up camp, trade beads with a hopper for fruit, and fish. Sssuri senses that the nocturnal 'runners' are migrating, indicating trouble inland. They decide to investigate, climbing the cliffs to follow a northeasterly course.
Chapter 4
Planetfall
The RS 10 successfully breaks through into normal space and lands on a new world. Raf Kurbi and the crew experience the breakthrough, the landing, and the first steps on an alien planet. Raf assembles the exploration flyer while others explore the surroundings, encountering a small defenseless creature.
Chapter 5
III: Snake-Devil’s Trail
Dalgard and Sssuri track a snake-devil through an abandoned alien city, discovering tracks that lead to a river. They encounter a frightened hopper, suggesting the recent presence of 'Those Others.' After camping, Sssuri learns from night runners that a great peril from the sea has driven creatures south. They decide to investigate a forbidden city upriver, wary of ancient defenses.
Chapter 6
Civilization
Raf Kurbi and the crew of the RS 10 explore the new world from the air, crossing a mountain range and discovering abandoned farms and towns. They land near a city and are confronted by an alien flyer, leaving them trapped on a rooftop, waiting for the city's inhabitants to appear.
Chapter 7
V: Banded Devil
Dalgard and Sssuri track a snake-devil through the alien city, discovering that some of the creatures wear metal bands, suggesting they are controlled or owned by an unknown intelligence. They navigate a river, hide their boat, and follow the monster's trail into a prison-like underground passage, culminating in a confrontation with the banded devil.
Chapter 8
Treasure Hunt
Raf Kurbi, squatting on a padded platform, observes the alien nobles of the crumbling city, noting their strange clothing, face paint, and three-fingered hands. He is separated from his flitter by Captain Hobart's order and feels uneasy. An alien officer, likely a pilot, communicates with Raf through gestures, showing him a globe and hinting at a hidden storehouse of knowledge. Later, Lablet reveals that the aliens have offered the Terrans a share of their accumulated scientific knowledge in exchange for help retrieving it from enemy territory, which Raf views with suspicion.
Chapter 9
Many Eyes, Many Ears
Dalgard and Sssuri discuss the threat of Those Others returning to reclaim their lost world. They decide to conceal their presence at the alien city, stage the scene to suggest mermen were responsible, and use animal messengers to spread a warning to Homeport and the merman tribe. Dalgard struggles with curiosity about forbidden alien technology, recalling a childhood lesson from Forken Kordov. They leave the city at night and attempt to broadcast an urgent message through the local wildlife.
Chapter 10
Airlift
Raf Kurbi pilots a flitter carrying alien warriors, following a globe ship on a journey across islands and coastal regions. He grows increasingly uneasy with the aliens, especially after witnessing them use a devastating fire weapon to annihilate an island's inhabitants. The Terrans land at various way stations, including a ruined city, and tensions simmer as Raf's distrust of the aliens deepens, though Captain Hobart reprimands him for prejudice.
Chapter 11
Sea Gate
Dalgard and Sssuri flee through an underground corridor, pursued by intelligent pack hunters that once served Those Others. They eventually find a sea lock and escape, with Dalgard killing one of the creatures.
Chapter 12
X: The Dead Guardians
Raf and Soriki spend a restless night in the alien city, grappling with doubts about the Terran alliance with the humanoid aliens and the morality of their actions against the furry islanders. The next day, the party explores a sealed building, discovering a dead reptilian creature and signs of scavengers, deepening Raf's unease about the true nature of their hosts.
Chapter 13
XI: Espionage
Dalgard and Sssuri investigate the arrival of mysterious strangers who have been seen flying a new type of ship. They discover a slain merman, killed by fire, and learn from the merpeople that the strangers have been visiting the islands and the dark city. The merpeople are wary but allow Dalgard to join a scouting party to observe the newcomers.
Chapter 14
Alien Patrol
Raf Kurbi, growing bored with the aliens' activities in the storage house, slips away to explore the underground corridors and the arena. He witnesses an attack by black creatures on two alien warriors and uses his stun gun to save one, but the rescued alien turns on him with suspicion. Later, Captain Hobart tasks Raf with joining future alien scouting parties and equips him with a wristband camera. Soriki modifies Raf's helmet with a homing buzzer to prevent him from getting lost. Raf joins an alien patrol along the river, observing their frustrated search for unknown quarry and their ruthless extermination of harmless creatures.
Chapter 15
A Hound Is Loosed
Dalgard infiltrates the alien city alone, using mental relays with mermen and animals. He encounters a flying box that acts as a hunter's hound, forcing him to flee through buildings and gardens. Meanwhile, Raf spies on the aliens from a rooftop, and both scouts sense each other's minds but cannot communicate. The chapter ends with Dalgard escaping into a tangled garden.
Chapter 16
XIV: The Prisoner
Raf becomes increasingly compelled to investigate the mysterious prisoner captured by the aliens, feeling a strange mental pull that he interprets as a voiceless cry for help. Despite Lablet's dismissal of the prisoner as a rebel or thief, Raf secretly arms himself with survival gear and ventures into the alien city alone, using underground tunnels to approach the central building where he believes the prisoner is held. Meanwhile, the Terrans are ordered to leave with the aliens, and Raf's unease grows as he senses an urgent appeal from the captive.
Chapter 17
XV: Arena
Dalgard is captured and brought before a tribunal of Those Others, who interrogate him about his origins and his alliance with the merpeople. He is condemned as a 'beast friend' and sentenced to death. Meanwhile, Raf Kurbi, who has been secretly observing the aliens, makes contact with Dalgard through mind-speech and resolves to rescue him.
Chapter 18
XVI: Surprise Attack
Dalgard and Raf, having escaped the arena with a wounded merman, navigate the inner corridors of the alien city while being pursued. They discover a trap door leading to lower levels and use a rope from Raf to descend. The mermen prepare for war against Those Others, and Dalgard tries to convince Raf that the fight is also his, given the threat to his own people. Raf, initially reluctant, realizes his actions may endanger his crew and joins the mermen in a plan to attack the city.
Chapter 19
XVII: Destruction Unleashed
Raf, Dalgard, and the mermen infiltrate the alien stronghold to destroy the globe ship and its accumulated technology. After a tense standoff, Raf agrees to use his blast bombs, leading to a massive explosion. Raf is blinded and carried to safety by the mermen, while Dalgard later defends against a pursuing mechanical hound using a net. The chapter explores themes of freedom versus oppression and the moral complexities of destruction.
Chapter 20
Not Yet—
Raf and Dalgard discuss the future of Dalgard's people, their shared Terran heritage, and the importance of maintaining their own path. Dalgard explains that his colony must develop independently before reconnecting with Terra. Raf attempts to send a mental message to Soriki with the help of the mermen, and they continue their journey northward toward the ship.
