Larry Filmore, an Earthman fighter, finds himself in a precarious situation on Dornel IV, facing the daunting prospect of battling Fornax Kedrin, the reigning champion of the planet. His manager, Blackmer, has manipulated him into this fight, leaving Larry feeling trapped and resentful. Despite his reputation as a tough fighter, he grapples with self-doubt and the fear of facing a formidable alien opponent. While drowning his sorrows in a bar, Larry inadvertently provokes a Dornellian, leading to an unexpected barroom brawl. This encounter serves as a brutal training session, allowing Larry to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of his alien adversary. Despite sustaining injuries, he manages to defeat the Dornellian, gaining a surge of confidence. However, the victory is short-lived as the police arrive, prompting him to flee with the help of an Arcturian fan. The next day, Larry awakens with the weight of the upcoming fight pressing down on him. He attempts to contact Blackmer, only to learn that the fight against Kedrin has been canceled due to the champion's hospitalization from injuries sustained in a separate brawl. This unexpected turn of events leaves Larry feeling a mix of relief and amusement, as he realizes he has narrowly escaped a potentially fatal encounter. The narrative explores themes of survival, the unpredictability of fate, and the harsh realities of a fighter's life in a galaxy filled with diverse and dangerous beings. Larry's journey reflects the struggle between personal ambition and the external pressures imposed by his manager and the fight industry. Ultimately, he finds himself at a crossroads, contemplating his future in a world where the stakes are life and death.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1967 · Genre: Science Fiction, Action, Adventure