He resorts to firing his lab assistant and sending his wife back home, in order to keep them away from harm. Pursuing his studies, the scientist soon discovers the creature inhabiting the planet seems to be a manifestation of the planet itself, similar to its collective mind, and bent on destruction.
He dismisses his lab assistant and sends his wife back home, to protect them from harm.  The scientist later discovers that the creature inhabiting the planet is a manifestation of its collective consciousness, similar to a hive mind, and intent on destruction.