Vital Ingredient

"Vital Ingredient" by Charles V. De Vet is a thought-provoking science fiction narrative that paints a stark portrait of unintended consequences amidst the vast expanse of space. When a crew of space explorers stumbles upon a unique life-form on a low-gravity planet, their scientific curiosity morphs into an ethical quandary. Seeking to uplift the native creature, named Orville Pollnow, they unknowingly trigger a transformation that grants him enhanced abilities but simultaneously dooms him, as he can no longer sustain his altered form. The crew's dialogues underscore the weight of their actions, exposing the treacherous territory between assistance and interference, while the narrative serves as a somber exploration of responsibility and the unpredictable nature of meddling with a species' natural trajectory.