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The Doctor left Caldwell staring at the rock samples.

An hour later saw Caldwell back in the control room of the spaceship. Morgan had just received news on the radio that an Adjudicator was on the way and would arrive soon. Dent was about to send another IMC guard to the Primitive ruin to relieve Security Guard Allen who was still keeping an eye on Jo.

'Don't bother about relieving the guard,' Caldwell said. 'Just have the girl brought back here.'

Captain Dent was taken aback by Caldwell 's remark. 'What do you mean?' he asked.

'I've gone along with you in a whole lot of things,' said Caldwell . 'But chaining a girl to a bomb, that's pretty low! I want her brought back here immediately.'

Now Dent knew that Caldwell was serious. Had the man gone out of his mind? 'She stays where she is,' said Dent. 'And in case you've forgotten, I'm in command,' he added icily.

'And in case you've forgotten,' said Caldwell evenly, 'I'm your mineralogical expert. Either the girl's brought back, or the survey stops.'

Captain Dent had never met with insubordination like this before. He tried to remember what he had learnt during his staff management training. ' Caldwell ,' he said, putting on smile, 'we're sitting on the biggest duralinium strike in the history of IMC! This is no time for two old buddies to fall out about some stupid girl!' This was from page 44 of the Corporation's staff management handbook.

'We aren't buddies,' said Caldwell , 'and never have been. Bring the girl back, or I'm on strike.'

To strike was expressly forbidden by the IMC Terms of Employment, but Dent thought it best not to mention that. He tried another ploy. 'If you fall out with IMC,' said Dent, keeping up his smile, 'you've got an awful lot to lose. Your wife isn't going to like it if you don't have that nice IMC living unit back on Earth.'

'There's something the great IMC staff index doesn't know about me,' said Caldwell . 'My wife walked out on me just before this trip, so you can't use that on me any more. Bring the girl back, and you can keep my share of the bonus if you like.'

Dent held down his rising temper, and turned to Morgan. 'Have her brought back.'

Morgan just stared.

'Did you hear me?' Dent barked.

Morgan jumped to his feet. 'Yes sir. Right away, sir.' He hurried out of the control room.

Dent turned back to Caldwell . 'I don't know what game you're playing, Caldwell , but I hope you realise that you have committed professional suicide.'

Jo felt her arm being tugged. She opened her eyes, saw Security Guard Allen looking down at her. 'Wake up,' he said. 'You're going back to the spaceship.'

She sat up stiffly, and saw that she was now manacled by both wrists to the bomb. Its light was no longer flashing.'What's happening?' she asked.

But Allen didn't answer. He produced a key and unlocked the manacles. 'On your feet,' he said, and took her arm and yanked her up. 'This way.' Allen turned Jo round and started to propel her towards the door. All at once five Primitives entered, silently coming through the door and the gaping holes that were once windows. Allen immediately pulled out his gun. 'Get out of the way,' he said menacingly.

Jo felt Allen's grip tighten on her arm, and knew that he was really nervous. 'Don't be frightened,' she said, 'they're harmless.'

Allen pushed Jo forward. 'Come on, let's go,' he said. But a Primitive stood directly in front of Allen. With his gun hand, Allen tried to shove the Primitive out of his way. Instantly, the Primitive grabbed Alien's arm, and tried to take the gun from him. Allen fired a shot, and Jo saw a Primitive by the door fall backwards, blood spurting from his chest. Everyone stopped moving; they all stood motionless, staring at the dead Primitive. Then one of the Primitives whirled round, and drove his spear into Allen's chest with a sickening thud. Allen fell backwards with a scream, the gun falling from his hand. He writhed a little then stopped moving.

Jo found herself unguarded, near the open doorway. All the Primitives were looking at Allen's body. She turned and ran. Outside