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don’t they check for things like that first?”
    “No,” said Lindholm. “That’s our job. It may not turn out too badly, Russ. There’s a lot that aliens could teach us about this planet, things we need to know. I’m willing to be friendly if they are.”
    “It’s not very likely, Sven,” said Corbie. “You know the Empire’s attitude to aliens. They get put in their place, or they get put in the ground. No other choice available.”
    “This is a new world,” said Lindholm. “Things could be different here.”
    Corbie sniffed. “Try telling that to the Investigator.”
    “I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” said DeChance quietly. “According to the probes, there aren’t any other cities. And this one appears to be deserted.”
    “Wait a minute,” said Corbie. “You mean there’s nobody there?”
    “There’s something there,” said DeChance. “I felt its presence.”
    The two marines waited for her to continue, and then realised she’d said all she was going to. Corbie kicked disgustedly at the ground.
    “Mysteries. I hate bloody mysteries.”
    “I doubt it’s anything we can’t handle.”
    The marines looked round sharply as Williams came over to join them. He smiled at them warmly, and nodded to the esper.
    “I’m sorry if I interrupted you. I didn’t mean to intrude …”
    “No, that’s all right, Doc,” said Lindholm. “This concerns you as well. Seems there’s an abandoned alien city not far from where we’ve parked.”
    “Fascinating,” said Williams. “I do hope we’re going to explore it.”
    “Great,” muttered Corbie. “Another bloody hero.”
    Williams ignored him and concentrated his charm on Lindholm and the esper. “What do you make of our new home, my friends?”
    “A little on the desolate side,” said Lindholm. “I’ve seen livelier cemeteries.”
    “It’s not very attractive, I’ll admit,” said Williams calmly. “But I wouldn’t write it off just yet. There may be hidden virtues. Geology isn’t my strong suit, but if I’ve read the signs correctly, the ship’s computers just might find these soil samples very interesting.”
    He patted the satchel he was carrying. Corbie looked at him with new interest.
    “Are you saying there might be something here worth digging for? Gold, precious stones; things like that?”
    “That sort of thing, yes,” said Williams. “I think a few test drillings might well turn up something to our mutual advantage.”
    “Jewels are fine,” said Lindholm. “But you can’t eat them. For a long time to come, our only interest in the soil is going to be how well it supports our crops. The ship’s rations will run out in a few months, and that’s if we’re careful. After that, we’re on our own. Presumably there are plants and animals here somewhere that will prove safe to eat, but we’ll always need our own crops to supply us with vitamins and trace elements. First things first, Doctor.”
    “You’ve been studying up on this,” said Corbie.
    “I thought one of us should,” said Lindholm.
    “I shouldn’t worry too much about the crops,” said Williams. “The volcanoes might look rather dramatic, but they help to produce good soil. All that pumice stone is full of phosphates, lime, and potash. Just add the right nitrates, and food should come leaping up out of the ground in no time.”
    “Unfortunately, there are complications,” said DeChance. “Have you come across any signs of life yet, Doctor?”
    “No,” said Williams. “Is that significant?”
    “Wouldn’t surprise me,” said Corbie darkly.
    “Don’t mind him,” said Lindholm. “He thinks they’re all hiding from him. And if I was an alien getting my first glimpse of Corbie, I’d think about hiding too.”
    “I’m surprised the Captain hasn’t joined us yet,” said Williams casually. “I thought he’d be eager to set about taking in his new territory. That is what military types like to do, after all. Or do we have a Captain