Space-Can by Murray Leinster (1954)
A destroyer ship, tasked with a seemingly trivial mission, lands on Ganymede to deliver a swamp-car to a Ganymedian chief named Yloop. Lieutenant Joe Peabody, the ship's commander, and his crew, including the ship's mascot, Rickey, are met with the cold, literal-minded Ganymedians, who lack human social niceties. The crew's attempts at humor are met with confusion, as Ganymedians interpret smiles as signs of aggression. Upon delivering the swamp-car, Joe learns from another Ganymedian, Ychan, that Martians may be planning an attack on Earth using a new weapon. The Ganymedians, who are indifferent to human emotions and motivations, reveal that they will not allow the Earth crew to use their space-radio, as it could alert the Martians. Joe realizes that the Ganymedians are being courted by the Martians, who are offering bribes for their cooperation in a potential attack. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Joe devises a plan to outsmart the Ganymedians. He pretends to possess a devastating weapon that could vaporize all life, using Rickey as a decoy to demonstrate its power. The Ganymedians, believing Joe's bluff, agree to assist him in obtaining the Martian gadget in exchange for a demonstration of the weapon. Joe's crew constructs a platform using lead-cadmium plates to shield against the weapon's effects. They then launch Rickey into the air, simulating the weapon's activation, which impresses the Ganymedians. Convinced of the Earthmen's power, Ychan agrees to retrieve the Martian device. As the _Winship_ departs Ganymede, Joe reflects on the absurdity of their mission and the nature of interspecies communication. The crew plans to fabricate a story about Rickey's heroics, ensuring their return to Earth is celebrated, despite the underlying tension of the Martian threat. The narrative explores themes of misunderstanding, the nature of diplomacy, and the absurdity of war, all set against a backdrop of cold, literal alien logic.
By Murray Leinster · First published 1954 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction · 7,170 words
First lines
When the _Winship_ landed on Ganymede, it was on one of those errands that are handed over to destroyer-skippers, commanding the tin-cans of the space-fleet, because nobody with silver braid wants to do them. Lieutenant Joe Peabody had been officially directed to proceed to Ganymede, land in 10° north latitude and 10° west of the zero longitude echo-beacon, and contact a Ganymedian chief called Yloop.
He was to deliver to that Ganymedian chief one swamp-car, assure him that Earth Government was very happy to give him the present he had requested, and then make what efforts seemed wise to promote cordial relations. Then he was to return to base.
What this Textopian page supports
Space-Can is listed on Textopian as a novel by Murray Leinster, dated 1954 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Murray Leinster
- Date: 1954 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Military Fiction, Humor, Speculative Fiction
- Length: 7,170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 146 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Space-Can by Murray Leinster
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic space environment, featuring interplanetary travel, alien species, and advanced technology.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a mission to deliver a swamp-car to an alien chief, involving exploration and unexpected challenges.
- Military Fiction — The narrative includes military personnel, a space destroyer, and themes of interplanetary conflict and strategy.
- Humor — The interactions between the human characters and the literal-minded Ganymedians provide comedic elements throughout the story.
Tags
Science Fiction · Adventure · Space Opera · Pulp Fiction · Classic Novel · Early Space Exploration · Humanity's Future · Alien Invasion · Interstellar Travel · Advanced Technology · Social Commentary · Utopian Society