Science Fiction Trivia

[Cody]

If we rely on people actually knowing the answers all the time we'll never get anywhere!

A motto for humankind?

[Disembodied]

A motto for humankind?

It works for me! I don't know about the rest of you – but that's never stopped me before ...

[Cody]

Clue the second: this tale of 'first contact' is something of a prequel, and provides some important background for a major series of sci-fi novels set hundreds of years later. The aforementioned celery thief and his six-limbed species are at the heart of this background.

[Cody]

Clue the third: the 'frontier' world in question is one of two habitable planets which orbit the primary star of a binary system, located nearly 500 lys from Sol.
A third habitable planet orbits the secondary star, and all three planets are named after mythical beasts from Old Earth.

[Cody]

Clue the fourth: the 'lionhearted' hexapedal celery thief and his kind are sentient, tool-using mammals, who use telepathy to communicate among themselves.

[Disembodied]

With recourse to Google (there aren't that many celery-themed scifi novels out there, despite the best efforts of the Fifth Doctor), I think I've got it: is it A Beautiful Friendship by David Weber?

[Cody]

How a few sticks of celery came to influence the interstellar affairs of the Star Kingdom of Manticore!

A Beautiful Friendship has recently been expanded (I’ve not read the newly-written second part) and re-issued as 'young adult sci-fi' (with a sequel planned). If you have a 'young adult' in the house, I’d recommend this... it’s a charming tale of 'first contact'. The Honor Harrington series itself is ripping naval sci-fi, most probably inspired by the Hornblower novels... but set in space, of course.

Definitions of 'young adult' fiction vary... I remember reading Heinlein's 'juveniles' sci-fi when I was 9/10!

Over to you, D!

[Disembodied]

OK, a picture quiz: who is this, and – for a bonus point – what's he drinking?

[Disembodied]

Clue time: this comic-strip character's creator has appeared (as himself) on The Simpsons ...

[Smivs]

It's Abelard Snazz, otherwise known as the Man with the multi-story mind. No idea what he's drinking, though.

[Disembodied]

It's Abelard Snazz, otherwise known as the Man with the multi-story mind. No idea what he's drinking, though.

It is indeed ... he's drinking a Sirian Sentient Milkshake, the perfect pick-me-up for the genius on the go.

[Smivs]

Another picture clue for you.

This damaged spaceship is crashing to Earth, with one of the crew still aboard. What is his name and occupation, and who rescued him.

[Commander McLane]

You have altered the picture. TinEye draws a blank.

[Cody]

A wild guess... Rick O'Shea, the DJ, is rescued by International Rescue (aka Thunderbirds)?

[Smivs]

F.A.B.
El Viejo is go!
For a wild guess that's absolutely right.

Commander McLane, the image hasn't been altered. I actually couldn't find one of this ship anywhere, so the image above is a videograb taken from a DVD.