Dragonfall 5
Dragonfall 5 is a series of children's sci-fi novels written by Brian Earnshaw in the 1970s. The series is illustrated by Simon Stern.
Dragonfall 5 is about a family (presumably British) - Tim, Sanchez, Old Elias and Big Mother - living in a nondescript part of the 3rd millennium, travelling along various planets in their aging, nearly obsolete spaceship called the Dragonfall 5. They transport goods, passengers and other items to a variety of worlds. As well as the four humans, their crew includes a pet dog called Jerk, who is a breed of flying hounds who can glide using his long ears. They also have several small rodent-like animals called Minims. They always work in groups of three, and can jointly translate most alien languages. In the Royal Beast there were at least six Minims on the ship.
Books
- Dragonfall 5 and the Space Cowboys (1972): Their engine in need to repair, Dragonfall 5 drifts into a world made of asteroids. They learn it was once a planet, until a war with 'Outsiders' broke the world into chucks, still with atmosphere. Now space cowboys fly punch-riders over their herds of cattle across the green asteroids. But the search is on for a treasure hidden at the end of a trail of clues...
- Dragonfall 5 and the Royal Beast (1972): Transporting a valuable and rare animal 'The Royal Beast' the crew of Dragonfall 5 set down on a lush forest world to re-stock on food. However the natives have their eyes on the cargo...
- Dragonfall 5 and the Master Mind (1975): Its climate system expertly managed by a Super Computer, a planet of rabbits is puzzled by the sudden flooding that has broken out. Dragonfall 5 is hired to ship grain to the rabbit clans, split into White and Black tribes, but Tim and Sanchez will be required to travel deep into the flooded tunnels to seek out the Master Mind for answers.
- Dragonfall 5 and the Empty Planet (1976): Tim and his brother Sanchez have to attend school on the Empty Planet, a place of musical rocks, whispering trees and where the last inhabitants vanished without a trace.
- Dragonfall 5 and the Super Horse (1977): A new star-drive has been developed, but with questions raised about its safety, the crew of Dragonfall 5 are hired to being investigators to the world of the horses.
- Dragonfall 5 and the Hijackers (1979): An old enemy plans to take control of Dragonfall 5 while they are on the water world of seals and walruses.
- Dragonfall 5 and the Haunted World (1979): Transporting intergalactic arms dealers, the crew of Dragonfall 5 must take a voyage to the 'Haunted World' to raise much needed funds. It is a place of sand and ghosts, a world that almost ran out of water, and the people who died or were lost in attempts to escape the dying planet.