# III explained — Voodoo Planet

> Chapter companion for Voodoo Planet by Andre Norton.

## What happens

After Tau demonstrates his power by drawing on Lumbrilo's magic to show Asaki a vision of an elephant, Asaki openly admits he hopes to use Tau as a weapon against Lumbrilo. Jellico accepts Asaki's oath of protection, and the group flies to the Zoboru preserve. Their flitter crashes in a magnetic region near a swamp, forcing them to travel on foot. They find a cave, and Dane suffers a sand worm infection in his feet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

Asaki openly admits he will use any weapon, including Tau, to destroy Lumbrilo, showing how the pursuit of power corrupts even noble intentions.

### Colonialism and Cultural Clash

The off-worlders are drawn into Khatkan politics, with Asaki treating them as tools in his struggle against Lumbrilo, highlighting the clash between interstellar visitors and local traditions.

### Survival and Resilience

After the crash, the group must navigate a dangerous wilderness with limited supplies, facing threats from wildlife and the environment.

## Character check-ins

### Medic Tau

Reveals he used Lumbrilo's own power to show Asaki a vision of an elephant, and openly accuses Asaki of using him as a weapon against Lumbrilo.

### Chief Ranger Asaki

Admits he hopes Tau will eliminate Lumbrilo, swears a blood oath to protect the off-worlders, and leads the group after the flitter crash.

### Captain Jellico

Accepts Asaki's oath, chooses a blaster, and later discovers the crash site has magnetic rocks that may indicate sabotage.

### Dane Thorson

Follows the captain's lead, lags behind to observe the wreck, and suffers sand worm eggs in his feet after wading in a stream.

### Nymani

The Hunter pilot who crashes the flitter, later treats Dane's sand worm infection by burning out the larvae.

## Key lines

> You are truly a man of power!

Asaki exclaims that Tau is a man of great power after witnessing the vision.

_Asaki's awe at Tau's display of Lumbrilo's magic._

> I have merely done as you wished, have I not, sir? I have focused on myself the enmity of a dangerous man, and now you hope I shall be forced, in self-defense, to remove him from your path.

Tau accuses Asaki of using him as a tool to eliminate Lumbrilo.

_Tau's direct challenge to Asaki's motives._

> On my body and my blood it is... My body for a wall between you and the dark, Captain.

Asaki swears a blood oath to protect Jellico and his crew.

_Asaki's solemn vow of loyalty._

> Sand worm—lays eggs in flesh. We burn them out or you have bad foot.

Nymani explains that Dane's foot is infected with sand worm eggs and must be treated by burning.

_Nymani's diagnosis and treatment of Dane's injury._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/voodoo_planet_se/chapters/iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/voodoo_planet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/voodoo_planet_se/chapters