MD3PAD 604-606

[Toby G Levy]

        Spurred on by the hollow earth discussion, Captain Zhang comes
up with the theory that China was another planet that slowly collided
with Earth. Dixon takes him seriously and asks how the collision could
have been slowed down to preserve all the people of China. Zhang cites
Boscovich's theory of repulsion.

        Captain Shelby, thinking of the three wise men in the bible asks
Mason when the third surveyor will show up.  Mason thinks this is a bad
omen, unlucky speculation. Soon members of the crew think they are
seeing a ghostly third surveyor and legends arise as to his history and
purpose. He soon morphs into a version of the Devil, buying souls.
Shelby tells a story of how a philadelphia lawyer attempts to void the
Devil's contract on is soul.

Toby