YASID - A different deadly maze story

[Lee Gleason]

The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar
story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the late
70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had killed a lot
of explorers who attempted to navigate it. The story was about the
latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the end and
realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not thinking
through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and was killed.
Ring any bells?

--
Lee K. Gleason N5ZMR
Control-G Consultants
***@ccomcast.net

[Michael F. Stemper]

  The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the late 70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had killed a lot of explorers who attempted to navigate it. The story was about the latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the end and realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not thinking through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and was killed. Ring any bells?

Probably <https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?59019>, although I don't
recall it being set on an alien planet.

[Lee Gleason]

Post by Michael F. Stemper

   The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar
story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the
late 70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had killed
a lot of explorers who attempted to navigate it.
the latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the end
and realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not thinking
through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and was
killed. Ring any bells?

Probably <https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?59019>, although I don't
recall it being set on an alien planet.

It's a good story - available on YouTube as spoken word - but not the
one I'm trying to ID. The one I remember, the explorer was killed
suddenly at the end, without any dialog with a maze dweller, just as he
realized the MzGuffin to avoid dying. And it was a physical dismembering
death, not metaphysical transport to unknown realms.

--
Lee K. GLeason N5ZMR
Control-G Consultants
***@comcast.net

[Michael F. Stemper]

Post by Michael F. Stemper

   The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the late 70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had killed a lot of explorers who attempted to navigate it.
the latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the end and realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not thinking through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and was killed. Ring any bells?

Probably <https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?59019>, although I don't
recall it being set on an alien planet.

  It's a good story - available on YouTube as spoken word - but not the one I'm trying to ID. The one I remember, the explorer was killed suddenly at the end,

I missed the part in your OP where you said "and was killed". Nope, it's
not the Spinrad.

[Cryptoengineer]

Post by Michael F. Stemper

Post by Michael F. Stemper

   The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar
story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the
late 70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had
killed a lot of explorers who attempted to navigate it.
the latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the
end and realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not
thinking through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and
was killed. Ring any bells?

Probably <https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?59019>, although I don't
recall it being set on an alien planet.

   It's a good story - available on YouTube as spoken word - but not
the one I'm trying to ID. The one I remember, the explorer was killed
suddenly at the end,

I missed the part in your OP where you said "and was killed". Nope, it's
not the Spinrad.

On the topic of deadly mazes, there's also Silverberg's "The Man in
the Maze"

https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?14914

pt

[Don]

Post by Lee Gleason
The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar
story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the late
70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had killed a lot
of explorers who attempted to navigate it. The story was about the
latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to the end and
realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not thinking
through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and was killed.
Ring any bells?

Food for thought:

<https://www.sffworld.com/forum/threads/stories-set-in-a-maze.24345/>

Danke,

[Default User]

Post by Lee Gleason
The recent YASID about Rogue Moon made me recall another similar
story. It was a short story I read in an anthology, probably in the
late 70s. There was an alien planet with a deadly maze that had
killed a lot of explorers who attempted to navigate it. The story was
about the latest person attempting it. He did well - actually got to
the end and realized the key to survival, but at the last minute, not
thinking through what he had just realized, made a fatal mistake and
was killed. Ring any bells?

Probably not what you are looking for, as it's very different, but has
a similar twist at the end is "The Sixth Palace" by Robert Silverber.

There is a treasure trove of alien artifacts on a planet. Access is
controlled by a powerful robot. Many have tried to impersonate the
owners. The robot will ask a series of questions, and if the person
gets one wrong they are killed. Some sort of sinuous blade emerges from
the robot or something like that.

The protagonist and his partner obtained a small computer with all the
knowledge. The partner attempts entry, but after a series of correct
answers is still killed. The protagonist, in desperation decides to try
anyway. He asks the robot what he must do, and the answer is something
along the lines of demonstrate truth. He then answers every question
with random utterances. He is granted admission.

While gathering some items to take in the first wave, the robot idly
inquires as to why he selected those. He answers something
complimentary about the items. He realizes that he has given a relevant
answer to the question, as the blade begins to emerge.


Brian

[Lee Gleason]

Post by Default User
While gathering some items to take in the first wave, the robot idly
inquires as to why he selected those. He answers something
complimentary about the items. He realizes that he has given a relevant
answer to the question, as the blade begins to emerge.

That's absolutely it! Despite my faulty recollection and description,
that's the story I was trying to remember! Thanks!

[Default User]

Post by Lee Gleason

Post by Default User
While gathering some items to take in the first wave, the robot idly
inquires as to why he selected those. He answers something
complimentary about the items. He realizes that he has given a
relevant answer to the question, as the blade begins to emerge.

That's absolutely it! Despite my faulty recollection and
description, that's the story I was trying to remember! Thanks!

Well there you go. I thought it worth mentioning because the of the
twist ending being similar.


Brian