Four-Day Planet

"Four-Day Planet" by H. Beam Piper is a science fiction tale set on Fenris, a harsh world defined by its unusual four-day cycle, where a young reporter, Walter Boyd, finds himself entangled in a web of political schemes following the arrival of a mysterious author. Walter's everyday life takes a sharp turn as he prepares to cover the arrival of important guests aboard the spaceship "Peenemünde," leading him to uncover the complex power struggles between local hunters and shady officials like Steve Ravick and Leo Belsher, all while dealing with the constant difficulties of Fenrisian life. His natural curiosity, fueled by the arrival of the author and his distaste for the local elite, pulls him deeper into a drama that threatens the precarious balance of his community, crafting a story driven by engaging characters, realistic dialogue, and the promise of escalating conflict.