Three metal machine nuts were strung together and worn as a necklace by the native chieftain!
When the council saw the machined threads on the inside of the nuts, everyone's jaw dropped. A strange wave of vertigo swept through the room. Even the eight Marines were stunned. In the pitch-black caverns, no one would have noticed that the native chieftain was wearing... a cluster of metal nuts around his neck!
What did this mean? What did it imply?
The word "shock" couldn't even begin to describe the atmosphere; it was simply unbelievable!
After a long pause, Dr. Arthur Lambert stood up and loudly declared, "No, no, no. I'm convinced this is a result of Federation activity! These reptilian natives must have just stumbled upon some metal scraps we left behind!"
"We have a massive fleet of reconnaissance drones and automated robots operating on the surface. Maybe they picked up a discarded replacement part. That has to be it!"
