Truckers

A Nome named Vinto, who tends to mistake fiction books for instruction manuals, reads about a hostage situation and suggests they could take a human hostage. However, Masklin doesn't think the plan will work.

The Duke thinks Masklin's plan is foolish, and refuses to participate, but the other clans agree to work together, with the Stationeri (reluctantly) teaching many Nomes to read.

Gurder presides over the Abbott's funeral, where it is revealed that he was chosen by the old Abbott to succeede him. Meanwhile, Masklin comes up with a plan to save the Nomes.

Charged by the Abbott for discovering the truth, Gurder takes Masklin and Grimma to the General Manager's office. As Masklin begins searching the desk, they discover a memo to the staff saying that the store will be demolished. They return to find that the Abbott has been talking at length with The Thing, and has reconciled his world view that 'Outside' is an extension of the Store. His final decree is that the Nomes must return to their true home, but dies shortly after.

When the Abbott is alone with Masklin, he says that he has a number of concerns about the future of the Store. Many years ago, the different departments fought for control of the Store. It was only when the Sationeri asserted that Arnold Bros. wanted the departments to live in peace that the wars ended. If the Stationeri is proved wrong about the existence of 'Outside', the other departments may start fighting again. Therefore, the Abbott must pretend that everything is normal to keep the peace.

Masklin and his tribe see the Abbott, leader of the Stationeri, who act as the Store's priesthood. On the way, they are met by Hardware bandits who are soon driven off. They meet with the Abbott, who does not believe them.

The Thing informs the Nomes that they are from another planet, that they arrived on Earth 15,000 years ago, and that they must return home to their planet. Masklin meets an inventor who shows them his inventions and is intrigued by the concept of 'Life Beyond the Store'.

The Nomes find a safe place at a department store, where they encounter several tribes of Nomes. Their story of being from the 'Outside' angers the Duke De Haberdasheri.

After hunting for food, Masklin, a 4-inch-high (100 mm) Nome, returns to his burrow, and argues with his tribe elders about the lack of food and that they have no fire for heat. Masklin decides that a lorry might take them to a better place, but as he wonders, a fox attacks one of the elders, Mr Mert. Masklin chases the fox onto the motorway, killing both the fox and Mr Mert. Masklin decides right then they all have to flee.