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Cover of Alien Equivalent

Alien Equivalent

Written by Richard Rein Smith

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Science FictionShort storiesMars (Planet)MartiansCriminalsGames

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About this book

"Alien Equivalent" by Richard R. Smith is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of exploitation, survival, and the complex dynamics between Earthmen and the Martian race. Set on Mars, it captures the struggles of colonists and their interactions with the indigenous Martians, who are portrayed as a frail and resentful people living under Earth’s dominion. The narrative follows Chester Farrell, an Earthman who has spent three years in the harsh environment of Mars trying to earn enough money to return to his family on Earth. After managing to save a thousand dollars for the return trip, he is accosted by Tharp, a violent Earthman who demands Farrell's money. In a desperate bid to save himself, Farrell proposes a gambling scheme using the Martian game called "duchal," which involves the painful sensations of losing being transmitted from one player to another. The novella culminates in a tense encounter at the gambling den where Farrell must navigate the risks of both betrayal and the Martian's unique customs, ultimately revealing deeper truths about exploitation and moral choices in a foreign land.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Alien Equivalent, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 3 hours
  • intermediate
  • tense
  • dark
  • critical

Richard R. Smith's mid-20th century novella "Alien Equivalent" plunges into the harsh realities of Martian colonization, focusing on the desperate struggle of Earthman Chester Farrell. After three years of toil, Farrell saves enough to return home but is waylaid by the violent Tharp, forcing him into a perilous gamble. The stakes are raised through "duchal," a unique Martian game transmitting the agony of loss between players, highlighting the brutal dynamics between colonizers and the subjugated Martian race. The narrative culminates in a tense confrontation in a gambling den, where Farrell navigates betrayal and alien customs, ultimately uncovering profound truths about exploitation and moral choices in an unforgiving extraterrestrial landscape.

“Three years of dust and desperation, all for a thousand credits and a ticket home. Now this brute wants to take it all.”

Key themes

Exploitation and Colonialism
The novella critically examines the dynamics of exploitation, both on a societal level (Earthmen colonizing and subjugating Martians) and an individual level (Tharp preying on Farrell). The Martians' 'frail and resentful' portrayal directly addresses the human cost of colonial dominion, while Farrell's struggle highlights how exploitation permeates even within the colonizing group.
Survival and Desperation
Farrell's entire motivation is rooted in survival: first, surviving Mars to earn money, and then surviving Tharp's threat. His desperation drives him to propose the high-stakes 'duchal' game, highlighting the extreme measures individuals will take when their core needs or hopes are threatened.
Moral Choices and Justice
The novella forces characters, particularly Farrell, to make difficult moral choices under duress. The 'duchal' game itself presents a unique form of justice, where the consequences are not just financial but deeply physical, challenging conventional notions of right and wrong, and exploring whether an 'equivalent' pain can serve as retribution.

Worth discussing

How does the 'duchal' game function as a metaphor for the broader exploitation on Mars? What does it reveal about the Martian culture and their perception of justice?

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