A closer look reveals the sole occupant—the dead body of a Stone-Age man. While the bizarre corpse is taken to Medical for a post mortem, Koenig plans a rescue mission. He will lead a search party on the ground, while Alan Carter will overfly the area in Eagle Two in a search pattern centred on the initial landing site. Sandra Benes will accompany him to make a detailed photographic scan. Left in command of Alpha, Bergman watches the rescue ships depart. With just three days remaining before the Moon travels out of range, he admits the disappearances could seriously affect their chance of colonising Retha.