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Galaxy,’ exclaimed the Doctor, jumping to his feet and addressing them all. ‘You realise that on this planet the pod is unique—I use the word with precision—and to some people its uniqueness makes it desirable at any cost.’
    â€˜You make these men sound like fanatics,’ said Dunbar derisively.
    The Doctor sauntered over to the side of the room and peered at a model of the Antarctic Base. ‘No,’ he said slowly, ‘I think they were working for someone else.’
    â€˜The real fanatic,’ added Sarah.
    â€˜What’s more to the point is how they got on to it.’ The Doctor spun round to face Dunbar. ‘The expedition had only reported its discovery to this office, right?’
    Dunbar coloured. ‘Doctor, I trust you aren’t suggesting information was leaked from this Bureau?’
    â€˜Yes, what would be the gain from it?’ intervened Sir Colin.
    â€˜Money,’ replied the Doctor sharply. ‘Thieves and murderers don’t usually work for love.’
    â€˜Since you seem to have this business sewn up, Doc-tor, where do you think the pod is now?’ Dunbar sounded aggressive.
    â€˜I’d make a guess and say—right in this country.’ The Doctor crossed to Sir Colin and jabbed him in the chest. ‘Action, Sir Colin, that’s what is needed. If we don’t find that pod before it germinates, it will be the end of everything—even your pension!’
    This last thought seemed to galvanise Sir Colin into activity. ‘Of course, Doctor, we’ll do all we can to help. The entire facilities of this Bureau are at your disposal.’ He glared at his Deputy, ‘All right, Dunbar?’
    Dunbar nodded. ‘I’ll organise anything you require.’
    â€˜Good,’ snapped the Doctor. ‘Then organise us to the Botanical Institute.’
    A few minutes later the unmistakable figures of the Doctor and his assistant emerged from the entrance of the World Ecology Bureau. A uniformed chauffeur approached them. ‘Doctor?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜This car was ordered for you, sir.’ He indicated a large, black limousine.
    â€˜How kind. After you, Sarah.’ They climbed in, the Doctor gave instructions to the chauffeur, and the car moved off.
    Alone in his office, Dunbar dialled a number. Someone answered the other end. Dunbar leant closer into the phone and whispered, ‘It’s all right, they’re being taken care of.’
    â€˜Excellent,’ replied the voice and hung up. Dunbar replaced the receiver thoughtfully.
    The limousine was approaching the outskirts of London. The Doctor had remained pensive and silent throughout the journey and Sarah had chosen not to disturb him. She looked out of the window as the car turned down a side road and into open country. The Botanical Institute was farther out of town than she thought.
    Suddenly the car lurched to a halt. The road had become little more than a dirt track leading to what seemed like a disused quarry. The Doctor jerked to life. ‘What’s going on?’
    The chauffeur turned round, a revolver in his hand. ‘We’re in a nice deserted place, Doctor. Now—both of you—out!’ He slipped from behind the wheel and, keeping them covered, opened the rear passenger door.
    The Doctor winked. ‘I think we’d better do as he says, Sarah.’ He started to get out slowly. Then, in one explosive action he swung the door violently at the chauffeur, knocked him flying into the mud and dragged Sarah from the car.
    â€˜Run!’ he yelled, and the two of them sprinted away down the rutted track. Winded, the chauffeur groped for his revolver, but before he could take aim the two figures disappeared down a gully. He staggered to his feet and set off in pursuit.
    One quick glance was