Once again we visit X Minus One and yet another story by the clever, unpredictable Robert Sheckley (1928-2005). “The Lifeboat Mutiny” first saw print in the April 1955 issue of Galaxy. In this tale of wits, an exploratory crew finds itself inside an abandoned (alien) Lifeboat while on a mission. The problem lies in the fact that the shipboard computer controls what turns out to be a vessel made for war, and follows its predetermined prime directive in a manner that would make HAL 9000 envious. Unless the crew can accurately assess their dire situation and outthink the alien computer they are doomed. A neat little problem story, X Minus One aired it on September 11, 1956.

Play Time: 27:43