The Last Monster

"The Last Monster" by Gardner F. Fox is a mid-20th century science fiction story about Irgi, the last of a race of monsters protecting the secret to eternal life. The story follows four men from Earth, led by Valentine Emerson, who land on the deserted planet Urg, searching for radium to heal people from a sickness back home. The story shows how the men meet Irgi, a lonely, tentacled creature who has been alone for hundreds of years. At first, they think Irgi is a danger when they are all facing death from disease. However, they soon learn that Irgi could actually save them. One of the men, Mussdorf, is a dangerous criminal who wants to use Irgi and his special technology for himself, which makes things even more tense. The others must choose between saving themselves and being greedy, as Irgi's future becomes tied to theirs.