Quofum: Alan Dean Foster

Humanx Commonwealth No. 27. The mission to planet Quofum is supposed to be a quickie for Captain Boylan and his crew. Boylan is tasked with delivering four scientists–two men, one woman, and one thranx–to the unknown world, setting up camp while the experts investigate flora and fauna, then ferrying them safely home. The first surprise is that Quofum, which regularly slips in and out of existence on Commonwealth monitors, is actually there when they arrive. The second surprise is more about what Quofum is The planet is not logical, ordered or rational. But the real shock comes when the crew discover not only that there’s a killer in their midst, but that their space ship is missing – along with all means of communication. Of course, the marooned teammates know nothing about the Great Evil racing toward the galaxy, and they certainly have never heard of Flinx, the only person with half a chance to stop it. Nor do they know that Quofum could play a crucial role in defeating the all-devouring monster from beyond. Cover art by Todd Lockwood.