after a sandstormy night the doctor and barbara see the daleks emerging from the sands. the daleks cannot find the time travellers, but they locate the tardis under the sand and begin to have it dug out by a group of native aridians, whom they have enslaved. the slave force is exterminated when they are of no further value. the doctor and barbara are saved by other amphibious humanoid aridians. the aridians also find vicki and ian, who were injured when a wall collapsed in an explosion used to kill the mire beasts that were threatening them. the mire beasts reappear, killing the aridian malsan who was holding the party prisoner in preparation for the handover. the doctor and his friends flee in the confusion and manage to evade a dalek scout and get back to the tardis.