Eckersley was secretly working for Galaxy 5 to subvert trisilicate production. He used a heat ray disguised as the spirit of Aggedor to kill miners and frighten the rest into ceasing work. He convinced Ambassador Alpha Centauri to call for the Ice Warriors led by Azaxyr (who, unbeknownst to the ambassador, were also working for Galaxy 5) to take over. Eckersley would have gotten a cut of the profits from the trisilicate sent to Galaxy 5. He planned to rule Earth after Galaxy 5 had defeated the Federation. Eckersley and Azaxyr's plans were exposed by the Third Doctor. He took Queen Thalira hostage and fled into the mines, where he encountered and was killed by the real Aggedor — but not before he had fatally injured the creature. (TV: The Monster of Peladon)