C. C. MacApp

In a futuristic setting, Inspector Judson Kruger navigates a plant refuge, where he encounters a peculiar machine designed to protect flora from larger animals. As he stealthily maneuvers through the area, his mission hints at deeper themes of environmental preservation and the complexities of human interaction with nature.

In 'Sculptor', Jim Frentrup confronts his past as he returns to a planet associated with shame and lost exploration. Accompanied by the ruthless Trux Madden, Jim grapples with dread, self-loathing, and a hint of relief as he revisits the ruins of a civilization he once exploited, seeking to reconcile his memories and actions.

In 'A Flask of Fine Arcturan', C. C. MacApp presents a satirical take on corporate culture, highlighting the absurdities of information management within a fictional interstellar distillery. Through a series of memos, the narrative critiques the lax handling of proprietary information and the resulting chaos, emphasizing the need for discretion and professionalism in business operations.

In 'The Drug,' regional manager Amos Parry confronts unsettling developments in a new chemical derivative that has unexpected effects on livestock, leading to a tense exploration of ethics in agricultural science. The narrative unfolds in a lab setting where the implications of using a drug with hallucinogenic properties raise serious concerns about its impact on animal health and the agricultural industry.

In 'A Guest Of Ganymede', Gil Murdoch navigates a camouflaged ship on Ganymede, cautiously approaching an alien settlement while grappling with his own motivations and the unknown dangers that lie ahead. The story explores themes of caution and the complexities of first contact with extraterrestrial life.

In 'And All the Earth a Grave', a bookkeeping error at a coffin manufacturing company leads to an unexpectedly inflated budget for the Advertising Manager, prompting him to take immediate action amidst a struggling economy. The story explores themes of absurdity and the unexpected consequences of automation in business.