A manual worker called Manue Nanti takes a five-year contract on Mars, but he finds it difficult to adapt both physically and mentally. The project is to make Mars habitable without any support from Earth, but the labourers become suspicious of the work they are doing and the seemingly pointless nature of it. Manue struggles with his health and the reason for his existence, as mutinous feelings start to stir when the workmen realise it will take up to 800 years for the work to be completed. The title is Latin and translates as 'crucified also.'
It won't come as any surprise to find that author
Walter M. Miller was religious and the story has some rather obvious themes, but it is well written and there is a real air of desolation about the lead character, especially when the narrative describes the damage that his breathing problems are causing - preachy but effective.
Overall:- 7/10
Planet:- Mars
Year:- AD 2134
Included in:-
Spectrum V edited by Kingsley Amis & Robert Conquest (21 pages)
