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'The computer's never been wrong,' said Dent. Caldwell drew a deep breath, a sign that he was seeing Dent's point of view. 'All right,' he said. 'But no more killings.'

Dent snapped that the file. 'Agreed. Where is your colonist?'

'I left him in the crew room,' said Caldwell .

That was a mistake. Non-IMC people should never be left alone anywhere in an IMC spaceship. But Dent just said, 'Fine. I'll go and see him.' He put the file away again, left the control room and went down the connecting corridor to the crew room. The door was locked on the outside, and Dent was pleased to note that Caldwell had shown at least some sense. He turned the holding bolt, and quietly opened the door. The eccentric-looking man he had seen on the monitor with Caldwell was standing watching the screen of the crew's entertainment console which no doubt Caldwell had turned on for him. On the screen was an architect's drawing of high-rise living units on a floating island in the sea. A woman's voice came from the console, explaining the drawings. 'With every square metre of the Earth's land masses now covered with building complexes,' said the voice, 'scientists have turned to new means for providing accommodation for our ever-growing population. These floating islands, rising to three hundred storeys, will provide living space for five hundred million people...' The man, apparently aware that Dent was watching his back, switched off the console and turned round. 'Welcome on board,' said Dent, crossing to the man with his hand extended. 'My name's Captain Dent. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. - '

'Not Mister,' said the man. 'Just Doctor.'

They shook hands.

Dent said, 'I'm surprised and shocked to find colonists on this planet. It seems your people made some navigational error coming here. This planet's classified for mining. Still, IMC is always willing to help brave, adventurous people such as yourselves. So if there's any way we can help you to get on your way, just tell us how.'

'I think you're mistaken,' said the Doctor. 'This planet is classified for colonisation.'

Dent had no intention to pursue this argument, at least not now. He said, 'But it's such an awful place to live! And I understand it's infested with some hostile animal life.'

'I find that extremely puzzling,' said the Doctor.

Dent took a careful look at the Doctor. The man hadn't got the weather-beaten face and rough, calloused hands of the typical colonist, the type of people Dent had met on many other planets; not only that, but the man's clothes didn't look like a colonist's work clothes. Perhaps the man was some kind of interfering inspector from Earth Government. 'Puzzling?' said Dent. 'Why?'

'When giant dinosaurs lived on planet Earth,' said the Doctor, 'that planet was covered in lush, tropical vegetation which fed them. There is little vegetation here.'

'Maybe they're flesh eaters,' said Dent.

'Then what flesh do they eat,' asked the Doctor. 'I've seen no signs of other animals here.'

If there was one thing Dent hated it was people who could think and reason. It was that kind of person who always caused trouble. He dearly wanted to put a bullet through the Doctor as he stood there. Instead, he smiled. 'I don't understand all that stuff,' he said, pretending to be a simple, nonscientific man, 'but these creatures seem to exist and they're killers. Surely you and your fellow colonists don't want to spend your lives fighting monsters?'

'As it happens,' said the Doctor, 'I'm not a colonist, I'm merely a visitor here.'

'May I ask on what business?' said Dent.

'Certainly you may,' said the Doctor; 'my own. However, I'm very interested in what the colonists are trying to do. It's possible that these giant lizards can be found and destroyed, or at least deterred from harming the colonists.'

'Is that what the colonists think?' said Dent. This is really what he wanted to know.

'They expected difficulties when they came here, said the Doctor. 'But with patience they will survive.'

Dent knew he was near to losing his temper. 'But they