Due to an extreme food shortage in the Juniper system, Major Robertson and Tonga are to transport the Agra Ray to prevent starvation in the colonies. They are met by the sinister Goron, posing as the Agricultural minister, He leads the to his headquarters at the foot of Cornicus' crater. He plans to steal the Agra Ray to force the growth of the ""ivy of death."" The vines give off a suffocating dioxide which he plans to use in destroying the Unite Planets.