The Judas Valley by Randall Garrett
In a future where interstellar exploration is routine, a crew aboard the spaceship _Lord Nelson_ is assigned to investigate a mysterious valley on the planet Fomalhaut V, where a previous scouting mission, the _Mavis_, ended in tragedy. The sole survivor, Lieutenant Jervis, recounts how his crew members died suddenly and inexplicably, leaving only bones behind. The crew of the _Lord Nelson_ is tasked with uncovering the cause of these deaths while also seeking a valuable deposit of double-nucleus beryllium. As the _Lord Nelson_ approaches Fomalhaut V, the crew is on high alert due to the unknown dangers that may lurk in the valley. Captain Peter Wayne, a skilled mountaineer, prepares for the climb to the beryllium deposit, while Lieutenant Sherri James, his colleague and romantic interest, coordinates the mission's data. The crew is instructed to wear spacesuits and work in pairs to mitigate risks. Upon landing, the crew discovers the remains of the _Mavis_ crew scattered across the valley floor. Medical personnel are sent to investigate, but they find no clear cause of death. Tensions rise as the crew grapples with the fear of the unknown. During a reconnaissance mission, Wayne encounters strange creatures beneath the sand that attack him, leading to a violent confrontation with Sergeant Boggs, who inexplicably turns on him. As paranoia spreads, Wayne is accused of assaulting Boggs and is confined for observation. He suspects that the crew is under the influence of a mind-altering substance injected by the valley's creatures. Sherri, determined to help Wayne, sneaks into the medical bay and uncovers a conspiracy involving a mysterious figure named Masters, suggesting that some crew members are working against him. Wayne escapes confinement and realizes that the creatures can inject a hypnotic drug through their stingers, rendering victims compliant. He devises a plan to neutralize the threat by contaminating the ship's water supply with an antidote, ensuring that the crew can be freed from the creatures' control. After a series of confrontations, Wayne successfully subdues the crew members who have been compromised and leads them back to the ship. He explains the situation to the crew, detailing how the creatures had intended to use them as hosts. With the valley now devoid of its deadly inhabitants, Wayne proposes a new mission to extract the beryllium, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and vigilance in the face of danger. The narrative explores themes of trust, survival, and the psychological effects of isolation in space, culminating in a tense and action-packed resolution as the crew confronts both external threats and internal strife.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1971 · Genre: Science Fiction, Mystery, Adventure · 14,783 words
First lines
_Why did everybody step off the ship in this strange valley and promptly drop dead? How could a well-equipped corps of tough spacemen become a field of rotting skeletons in this quiet world of peace and contentment? It was a mystery Peter and Sherri had to solve. If they could live long enough! _
Peter Wayne took the letter out of the machine, broke the seal, and examined it curiously. It was an official communication from the Interstellar Exploration Service. It read:
What this Textopian page supports
The Judas Valley is listed on Textopian as a novel by Randall Garrett, dated 1971 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1971 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
- Length: 14,783 words
- Structure: 1 section, 379 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book explores futuristic themes and speculative technology, characteristic of the science fiction genre.
- Mystery — The plot involves elements of intrigue and investigation, aligning it with mystery conventions.
- Adventure — The narrative includes adventurous elements and exploration, typical of adventure stories.
- Fantasy — The presence of fantastical elements and world-building contributes to its classification within fantasy.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Adventure · Action · Thriller · Mystery · Suspense · Alien Invasion · Galactic Empire · Rebellion · Warfare · Military Science Fiction