And what were the beastly little animals, anyway? There were no answers. But the answers would have to come, soon. He tossed Boggs into the airlock and waited for the others to catch up. They climbed up the ladder and said nothing as the airlock went through its cycle and the antibacterial spray covered them. * * * * * Colonel Petersen looked at him across the desk and put the palms of his hands together. "Then, as I understand it, Captain, Sergeant Boggs tried to push you over into the sand when this--ah--_monster_ jabbed you in the foot?" "That's right, sir," Wayne said. He felt uncomfortable. This wasn't a formal court-martial; it was simply an inquiry into the sergeant's actions. Charges would be preferred later, if there were any to be preferred. Sergeant Boggs stood stolidly on the far side of the room. A livid bruise along his jaw testified to the struggle that had taken place. One eye was puffed, and his expression was an unhappy one. Near him, MacPherson and Private Manetti stood stiffly at attention. The colonel looked at Boggs. "What's your side of the story, Sergeant?" The non-com's face didn't change. "Sir, the captain's statement isn't true." "_What's that?_" Wayne asked angrily. "Quiet, Captain," Petersen said. "Go ahead, Boggs." The sergeant licked his bruised lips. "I was about to start up the rope when, for no reason at all, he struck me in the stomach. Then he hit me again a few more times, and I passed out." "Did he say anything when he did this?" the Colonel asked. "No, sir." Wayne frowned. What was the sergeant trying to do? What the devil was he up to? "Corporal MacPherson," the colonel said, "Did you witness the fight?" "Yes, sir," the small man said, stepping a pace forward. "Describe it." "Well, sir, we were up on top of the cliff, and we called--or rather, _I_ called for the captain and the sergeant to come on up. Sergeant Boggs took a hold of the rope and then the captain hit him in the belly, sir. He hit him twice more and the sergeant fell down. Then the captain told us to come down, which we did, sir. That was all." He gestured with his hands to indicate he had no more to say. Wayne could hardly believe his ears. Making an effort, he managed to restrain himself. "Private Manetti, do you have anything to add to that?" the colonel asked. "No, sir. It happened just like that, sir. We both seen the entire thing. That's the way it happened. The captain hauled off and let him have it." The colonel swivelled around and let his cold eyes rest on Wayne. "Captain, you have stated that Sergeant Boggs did not talk to either of these two men after you struck him. That eliminates any collusion." "Yes, sir," Wayne said stonily.