Cum Grano Salis by Randall Garrett
A military expedition to Alphegar IV faces a dire situation when a lightning strike destroys their food supply, leaving them with limited rations and a six-month wait for rescue. Colonel Fennister, the mission leader, grapples with the responsibility of ensuring the survival of his crew, which consists of 85 men. The scientists aboard, including Dr. Pilar, are tasked with investigating the local flora for potential food sources, but they discover that many native plants are toxic to test animals. As the crew's food supply dwindles, tensions rise, and the threat of starvation looms. Broderick MacNeil, a Spaceman Second Class, secretly consumes a native fruit, dubbed "banana-pears," which has proven fatal to test animals. Unbeknownst to the crew, MacNeil's unique physiology allows him to consume the fruit without adverse effects, while others who try it suffer severe consequences. The scientists, led by Dr. Pilar, conduct tests to understand the fruit's toxicity. They discover that it contains a chelating agent that sequesters iron in the body, leading to oxygen starvation and death. Meanwhile, MacNeil continues to thrive on the fruit, raising questions about his immunity and the potential for a food source. As the situation escalates, the crew's morale deteriorates, and the threat of cannibalism arises. The scientists work frantically to isolate the fruit's properties and find a solution. They eventually determine that the antidote to the fruit's effects is magnesium, which MacNeil has been inadvertently consuming through various medications. In a race against time, the scientists devise a plan to use magnesium to counteract the chelating agent's effects. They begin to distribute magnesium supplements to the crew, hoping to save those who have already consumed the fruit. The narrative culminates in a tense atmosphere as the crew grapples with survival, the consequences of their choices, and the hope of rescue. Ultimately, the story explores themes of survival, the unpredictability of nature, and the complexities of human physiology in the face of alien environments. The resolution hinges on the discovery of the fruit's properties and the crew's ability to adapt to their dire circumstances, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1964 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller · 10,202 words
First lines
_Just because a man can do something others can't does not, unfortunately, mean he knows how to do it. One man could eat the native fruit and live. but how? _
"And that," said Colonel Fennister glumly, "appears to be that."
What this Textopian page supports
Cum Grano Salis is listed on Textopian as a novel by Randall Garrett, dated 1964 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1964 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller, Drama, Humor
- Length: 10,202 words
- Structure: 1 section, 262 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Cum Grano Salis by Randall Garrett
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cum Grano Salis?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic space exploration context, featuring advanced technology and extraterrestrial environments.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around the challenges faced by a group of space explorers as they struggle for survival on an alien planet.
- Thriller — The narrative includes elements of suspense and danger as the characters confront life-threatening situations.
- Drama — The story explores interpersonal relationships and moral dilemmas among the crew members in a crisis.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Satire · Politics · Social Commentary · Utopia · Dystopia · Philosophy · Sociology · Psychology · Futurism · Speculative Fiction