Author: Monica Hughes

Publisher: Collins Educational 1985

Pages: 136

Description:

The settlers had brought small tracked vehicles with them, similar to the one guardian used for survey work when he didn't want to use a floater; and every man, woman, and child from the ship strained and heaved to pile the vehicles high with plastic containers full of goods. Trip after trip they made, arounds the south end of the lake, over the bridge which they had laid down across lost creek, and so around to the new village. Before long there was a trampled track through the long-plumed grass and muddy scars at the verges of lost creek. Within a few hours houses began to appear. They were light plastic shells that were sprayed with stuff from a wheel mounted tank to form a thick skin. From the top of the mesa they looked like the fat cocoons of the cactus moth.

Slowly, inexorably, the face of the plain was being changed. Ever since Isis had vegetation, ever since the mountains had been formed, this valley had lain there, grass filled and still except for the tiny movements of deer and nesting birds. And now it would never be the same again. Never I hate it, Olwen thought passionately.