A planet is detected with traces of minerals vital to Moonbase Alpha’s survival, and the command staff takes a survey Eagle down to explore the surface. What they don’t expect to find is a large, glowing mineral deposit. They cut off a sample and return to the Eagle with it, but during routine examination, it emits a bright life and Tony falls to the floor, dead. Commander Koenig’s first instinct is to leave the planet immediately, though Maya and Dr. Russell feel that the key to learning what happened to Tony, or perhaps reviving him, lies with further study of the rock sample. As Koenig leads the survey team back out to the surface, Dr. Russell is stunned when Tony rises and walks out of the Eagle, returning a short while later with another chunk of the glowing rock. The survey teams rushes back to the Eagle, where power has been drained and contact has been lost with Moonbase Alpha. When Koenig moves to remove the new sample, it seems to attack him too, though not fatally. With time running out, Koenig is now convinced that not only is the rock a life form, but it’s been subtly guiding the mission from the start.
written by Keith Miles
directed by Ray Austin
music by Derek WadsworthGuest Cast: Tony Anholt (Tony Verdeschi), Nick Tate (Alan Carter), Patrick Mower (Dave Reilly)
LogBook entry by Earl Green