Six Frightened Men

"Six Frightened Men" by Randall Garrett is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around a team of explorers from the Space Corps who land on the uncharted planet of Pollux V, where they encounter a bewildering and terrifying creature that puts their lives at risk. The story delves into themes of fear, survival, and the psychological impact of encountering the unknown. The plot follows a team of six astronauts who, after an initial expedition reveals the remnants of an ancient civilization, find themselves haunted and hunted by a mysterious monstrous entity. As crew members begin to die under mysterious circumstances, it becomes clear that the monster is a manifestation of fear, tied to one of the crew's dark secrets. The protagonist grapples with the realization that the source of the horror may be one among them, leading to a tense confrontation and eventual revelation of betrayal. Ultimately, the story explores how fear can distort reality and the moral implications of survival in the face of unimaginable threats. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Silverberg is a prolific American science fiction author and editor. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand Master of SF since 2004.