His plan was as follows:
1. He was to land in a sparsely inhabited area on the larger masses.
2. He was to procure transportation to Xxla, a major city, equivalent to London or Tokyo. It was the headquarters for the Party.
3. He was to establish residence in the slum area surrounding the University of Xxla.
4. Working through student contacts, he was to ingratiate himself with such rebel intellectuals as could be found.
5. Once his contacts were secure, he was to assist in the preparation of propaganda and establish a clandestine press for its production.
6. As quickly as the operation was self-sufficient, he was to move on to another major city ... and begin all over.
The ship descended into the atmosphere. The bell rang. Shamar the Worker seated himself, put on his oxygen mask and signaled his readiness. He breathed oxygen. The ship quivered, the door fell away beneath him and he was battered unconscious by the slipstream.
Five minutes later, pinwheeling lazily in free fall, he opened his eyes. For an instant's panic he could not read the altimeter. Then seeing that he was safe, he noted his physical sensations. He was extremely cold. Gyrating wildly, he beat his chest to restore circulation.
He stabilized his fall by stretching out his hands. He floated with no sensation of movement. Itra was overhead, falling up at him slowly. He turned his back to the planet and checked the time. Twelve minutes yet to go.