[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zero_stone.png]]
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''The Zero Stone'' and its sequel ''Uncharted Stars'' are ScienceFiction novels by Creator/AndreNorton, about Murdoc Jern and the title MineralMacGuffin.

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!!Tropes:

* AdjectiveAnimalAlehouse: The Diving Lokworm in ''Uncharted Stars''.
* AFriendInNeed: Eet saves the Patrolman as well as Jern.
* AirVentPassageway: ''Uncharted Stars''. While on the pirate space station Waystar, Murdoc Jern's companion Eet enters the station's air ducts to do some snooping.
* AllNaturalGemPolish: The ship landing turns up crystals.
* AllOfTheOtherReindeer: Jern on the Free Trader ship.
* AMindIsATerribleThingToRead: Eet throws two minds together and it's unpleasant for both.
* BloodFromTheMouth: How Jern knows Vondar died.
* CasualInterstellarTravel: Jern moves about freely. Even when he's a wanted man in ''Uncharted Stars'', Eet helps him locate a pilot off the records who can be paid in cash.
* ColdBloodedTorture: How Jern's father was murdered.
* CommonalityConnection: Eet and Jern.
* ContrivedCoincidence: The captain of the Guild ship knows Jern.
* CorruptChurch: The Green Robes not only practice HumanSacrifice, but influence the "random" selection.
* DayHurtsDarkAdjustedEyes: When he reaches sanctuary.
* DreamingTheTruth: That the Free Traders are hostile.
* DueToTheDead: Eet and Jern discuss it.
* EscapePod: Used for several purposes.
* EvilParentsWantGoodKids: Downplayed. Jern's father thinks that no illegal connections will help him progress, and hence apprentices him to a man who, unlike him, has none.
* ExactWords: Eet ensures Jern's promise is exactly carried out.
* FTLTravelSickness: In ''Uncharted Stars'', when a starship begins a hyper jump, passengers who are properly prepared and bedded down only feel a sickening twist. If not so prepared, they suffer serious physical trauma, including unconsciousness, bleeding in the mouth and intense pain throughout their bodies.
* HeirClubForMen: His father never tried to teach his daughter.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Eet tricks a Guild member into shooting the ceiling and bringing down rock on himself.
* HumanSacrifice: The Green Robes pick out victims at random.
* HungryJungle: The planet he escapes to on the EscapePod.
* IntrepidMerchant: Vondar; Jern was his apprentice.
* InMediasRes: Jern is fleeing Vondar's killers and HumanSacrifice.
* LotteryOfDoom: The selection for HumanSacrifice.
* MentorOccupationalHazard: Vondar dies shortly before the opening, violently.
* MineralMacGuffin: The Zero Stone.
* MysteriousPast: Jern's father's.
* TheNoseKnows: The natives on the planet hunt mostly by smell.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: Jern feigns that fever affected his mind.
* ObliviousAdoption: Until his father's death, he never knew this.
* ParentalFavoritism: Jern's family was split.
* ThePlague: Scares off the Free Traders.
* ThePromise: Jern strikes a deal with Hory.
* PsychicPowers: Eet has many.
* RansackedRoom: When his father died.
* {{Revenge}}: The prospect of Jern seeking this does not trouble the Free Traders who get him away; it's nothing to them.
* RockBeatsLaser: The Guild men are wary, even though they have lasers and the natives spears.
* SecretTest: ''Uncharted Stars''. When Murdoc Jern infiltrates the criminal hideout Waystar by pretending to be his father Hywel Jern, a Waystar Veep puts him through a number of tests. With Eet's telepathy to inform him, Murdoc passes with flying colors.
* SeekingSanctuary: How Jern escaped.
* SpeciesSurname: Eet -- name or species?
* ThickerThanWater: His mother justifies her favoritism thus.
* ThievesGuild: Jern's father worked for one.
* TrulySingleParent: The ship's cat.
* TheUnfavorite: His siblings for their father; him for their mother.
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