The night of no moon

"The Night of No Moon" by H. B. Fyfe is a science fiction narrative set on the dangerous planet Boyd III, where Pete Guthrie, a Galactic Survey member, finds himself stranded and struggling to survive. He confronts the planet's harsh environment and the unusual customs of the native Skirkhi, who fear "sky spirits" and engage in unsettling practices. The arrival of George Trent and Karen Norsund from a crashed spaceship complicates matters, as their attitudes clash with both Guthrie’s more understanding approach and the Skirkhi beliefs. As a cataclysmic storm looms and the natives gear up for a ritual, Guthrie formulates a risky plan to escape Boyd III and send for help, putting his resourcefulness to the test while navigating the surreal realities of his alien existence and ultimately aiding the newcomers, despite their closed mindedness.