the other deciders, garif and nefred, have ordered the starliner doors closed as per procedure, knowing that both draith and keara, an outler and the daughter of a prominent citizen called login, have not entered the ship. despite his worries, login accepts a position as third decider when it is determined that draith has died. it is as well the doors have been closed – humanoid, aggressive marshmen begin to appear from underwater, looking threatening, and scuttling marshspiders hatch from the eggs of the riverfruit. the marshmen beat on the walls of the starliner to gain entry but the creatures are not admitted. the doctor, however, gains entry to the starliner using his sonic screwdriver, followed by a young and inquisitive marshchild. both are found and taken before the three deciders. the doctor is appalled when chief scientist dexeter starts to perform vivisection experiments on the marshchild.