After "Phil" designs a new type of steam shovel, the machine becomes inhabited by an alien presence named Trull, who is out to conquer the world. After forcing Phil and others nearby to do his bidding, Trull is confronted by a local elephant who, remembering how Phil stopped someone from hurting it previously, rushed to save its human companions. The elephant destroyed the steam shovel through sheer brute force.

Trull escaped the wreckage and his gaseous form floated into the jungle, where Phil theorized that it would be years before the alien would be ready to attack humanity again.