Science Fiction Trivia

[Cody]

Aye, Richter 10 it is - a cheerful tale.

<looks around for the baton, which seems to have turned into a baguette - lobs it, javelin-style, at Big D>

[Disembodied]

Bugger … now I have to think of a question!

OK: name the novella that features a dinner where aliens eat the flesh of a number of human world leaders.

[Smivs]

Sound like a recipe for indigestion!

[ffutures]

Easy (for a change) - The State of the Art, Iain M. Banks. It's cloned flesh but since one of the world leaders at the time (1970s) is Thatcher, still pretty nasty.

[Cody]

It's cloned flesh of the world leaders at the time (1970s)

<chortles>

[Disembodied]

Easy (for a change) - The State of the Art, Iain M. Banks. It's cloned flesh but since one of the world leaders at the time (1970s) is Thatcher, still pretty nasty.

Correct! Although Thatcher missed out on being on the menu … the story is set just before her time. The dishes on offer were Stewed Idi Amin, General Pinochet Chilli Con Carne, General Stroessner Meat Balls, Richard Nixon Burgers, Ferdinand Marcos Sauté, Shah of Iran Kebabs, Fricaséed Kim Il-Sung, Boiled General Videla, and Ian Smith in Black Bean Sauce.

Ffutures has the floor.

[ffutures]

Oops - now why did I think Thatcher? Probably wishful thinking...

OK, this world is covered in desert, its long-extinct natives having accidentally caused massive deforestation for reasons that are an important part of the story. Archaeologists find their transport system, and learn a lot about them while getting it to work. Name the world and the story.

[ffutures]

OK, clue one - it's a story from the 1960s, by a British author.

[Smivs]

Hmmm, not ringing any bells here - I don't think I've read this...
<resists the urge to Google>

[ffutures]

Another clue - there are harps in the desert. A lot of them. As in, it used to be a forest until all the trees were chopped down and turned into harps.

[ffutures]

Another clue - it's the second story of a series about a team who tackle unusual engineering problems. And if that doesn't give you the answer, nothing will...

[Disembodied]

Aha! "The Subways of Tazoo", by Colin Kapp - one of the Unorthodox Engineers stories.

[ffutures]

Aha! "The Subways of Tazoo", by Colin Kapp - one of the Unorthodox Engineers stories.

Finally! The Zipper is in your court...

[Disembodied]

Thank you … a quick one for Monday, then: where is a Sontaran's weakest point? And what's it called?

(Try googling "theresa may sontaran" - the answer to the above question might come in handy sooner than we think …)

[spud42]

knew it was the back of the neck but i had to google what it was called

They absorbed energy via the probic vent on the back of their necks. This vent was also their crucial weakness, as any sudden blow to the vent would stun them. The penetration of a sharp object into the vent would kill them