Science Fiction Trivia

[Cody]

Who survived the wreck of a spaceship by living in a locker?

[Cody]

Clue the first: after six months waiting for rescue, he spots a passing ship. It slows and approaches the wreck to investigate, and he believes his ordeal is over. But the ship ignores his distress flares and continues on its way, leaving him abandoned - and very angry!

[Cody]

Clue the second: the wrecked spaceship, Nomad, was located halfway between Mars and Jupiter.
Like much 50's sci-fi, the novel was originally serialised in a magazine (Galaxy Science Fiction).

[phkb]

Am I allowed to answer if I haven't read the book but "chanced" upon the answer while browsing?

[Cody]

Certainly! All answers are welcome, no matter how they may have been sourced.

[phkb]

Well, I think Gully Foyle might be the man we're looking for!

[Cody]

That's the man! The Stars My Destination can be read here - a great writer, was Bester!

<lobs coconut at phkb>

[phkb]

<snatches coconut out the air with one hand>
<promptly drops coconut on foot>
<curses under breath as he approaches microphone>

Hopefully this isn't two vague...

Who was so bored with 24th century life that he started a club where members were chosen at random to have a duel to the death?

[phkb]

Hint 1: The first duel was between this man and another member. Our mystery man eschewed all the modern technology available to him during the hunt, instead using primitive weapons and his own senses.

[DredgerMan]

Anymore hints, phkb? It's not triggering my memories yet.

[phkb]

It was part of a short story in a collection release during the 70's.

The story finished with these blunt, shocking words: "He spun round, his eyes wide, as the laserbeam hummed and cut him in half."

[spud42]

not having read the book and not jogging any memories,i believe i have found the answer via the googles... on them thar internets....
purely for my own amusement of course....... is this an acceptable way to answer the conundrum posited?

[Cody]

Short answer: yes!

[phkb]

Yep - I did it for the last one!

Last hint: The organisation our man in question founded in 2314 was called "The Nimrodian Club".

[spud42]

The Nimrodian Club was an organization founded in 2314 by Robin Maxwell, an incredibly rich man who was bored with life. Other founding members included Carl Hinton and Tristram Keeler-Finch. The rules of the club were that each year a computer would randomly select two members of the club. One week later, they would face off in a duel in a secluded woody area, and be charged with hunting the other down. The victor would be the one who killed the other; if one ran away, then the entire club would be charged with hunting down and killing him. The only exception would be for members who were gravely wounded.

The first lot ws drawn on June 22nd, 2314, placing Hinton against Maxwell one week later. Hinton won, cutting Maxwell in half with a laser.

that was fun to find. your second clue only revealed 1 answer in google that gave me the name of the book. that lead me to this.....


Lightning round ........

Your starter for 10......... who is Hari Seldon and what did he do?