 What is the mission of the crew?
In short, the ice-cap proved that a man could endure the air and temperature conditions he would find. Two of the Nadine's four-man crew watched out the same ports as the planet seemed to approach. They'd been on Coryus Three and they'd gotten departure clearance from its space-port. With clearance-papers in order, they could land unquestioned at any other space-port and take off again—provided the other space-port was one they had clearance for. Without rigid control of space-travel, any criminal anywhere could escape the consequences of any crime simply by buying a ticket to another world. Wherever the yacht landed, such a disparity between its documents and its crew would spark an investigation. In effect, with six people on board instead of five, the Nadine could not land anywhere for supplies. Blaster in hand, he'd made the Nadine take off from Coryus III with a trip-tape picked at random for guidance. The process would be to find a planet and check its climate and relationship to other planets, and its flora and fauna against descriptions in the Directory. All five of its proper company watched as the planet's surface enlarged. The emergency-kit contained antiseptics, seeds, and a weapon or two, with elaborate advice to castaways. If somebody were wrecked on an even possibly habitable planet, the especially developed seed-strains would provide food in a minimum of time. But space-travel regulations are especially designed to prevent such escapes.
 They are rebels, regrouping to fight their government another day.
 The mission is to answer a distress signal.  The mission is to maroon Moran as punishment for murder.  They are rebels, regrouping to fight their government another day.  They are rebels, fleeing a collapsed revolt.