Review: Science Fiction Short Story: "A Gift for Terra" by Fox B. Holden

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Johnny Love’s ship has crashed. He should be dead, like poor Ferris, whose helmet was smashed to bits, but he’s still alive, with the red Martian sand blowing over him through the gaping hole in the ship. The first (and last) Martian, Johnny Love decides to go for a walk. Two more teams of two men are expected, the first in another twenty days, the second in twenty days following them. Johnny doesn’t think he’ll last that long enough to meet the next group. The original plan was not to put all the eggs in one basket. If all three landings were successful, they would use Exploration Plan I Optimum. If two were successful, they’d use Plan II Limited. If one was successful, they’d use Plan III, Untenable. So he walks until he can walk no more. While Johnny Love is in la-la land, a vehicle comes by. He is picked up and driven away. When he wakes up, he’s in someplace warm and dark. He’s told that he’s in no danger. As a matter of fact, the Martian welcome the coming of the Earthmen. They’ve been watching them, and are happy to see them achieve space travel. They believe the people of Earth, properly assisted and instructed, could make a great friend and ally. And what Johnny asks, do the Martians get out this arrangement? The Martians are old. And lonely. As a matter of a fact, they’re going to send something back to earth with Johnny that will cure all diseases. As a matter of fact, his ship is completely repaired. He can leave anytime he wishes. But they don’t seem to be the only ones one Mars. There’s another race of being, warning Johnny not to trust the things he’s being told… This was an interesting story, though not all that hard to guess where it’s going. And it ignores reality and things like oppositions, which is when travel would be at its best. Nevertheless, it’s fun and I can recommend it for that. This story is available from Project Gutenberg: _____ Title: “A Gift for Terra” Author: Fox B. Holden: could find no bio info First published: If September 1954 Source: ISFDB *An earlier version of this review appeared on another site. It has been updated and expanded for its inclusion on ML*