Starquake.pdf

"How many calories in meat, Doctor Wong?" she asked him.
"I can't believe this conversation!" said Abdul. "There is no way I'm going to be a cannibal! I'm leaving!"
He started to dive out the door to his private quarters, but Pierre held him back with a hand on one
shoulder. He kept it there as he nodded at Doc to answer.
"Use the values for pork, Doc," Abdul blurted. "I hear from my cannibal friends that you can't tell the
difference."
"Most meats have about 4000 calories per kilogram," said Dr. Cesar Wong. "The average person could
live on a half-kilo of meat per day if the diet were supplemented with vitamins."
"So 50 kilos would only last us 20 days at full rations or 80 days at quarter rations," said Seiko. "We are
still short by two months." She paused for a second. "As I said, there is no way to save us."
"I thought for sure that the next thing you were going to suggest was that we draw straws," said Abdul to
Pierre.
"Abdul!" Pierre said severely.
"I have calculated that option," said Seiko. "There is a problem. If we wait for a person to die of hunger,
then there is very little nourishment left on the body."
"There'll be none left on mine!" said Abdul.
"If, however, a person dies at the beginning of the period, then not only does his body become a source
of significant nourishment, but he is not consuming food as time goes on. Using Doctor Wong's calorie
estimate, while two carcasses would allow quarter rations for four people over the same period, three
could supply adequate nourishment for the remaining three for six months."
"Great!" cried Abdul. "Why stop at cannibalism when we can have ritualistic murder?"
"Although such an option is technically feasible," continued Seiko, "I personally have no intention of
suggesting or participating in any such option."
"What's the matter?" Abdul asked. "Afraid of drawing the short straw?"
"No. The long one," answered Seiko. "Neither you, nor I, nor any of the others, could return to our
respective cultures if we had to survive using that solution. I, for one, am going to spend my last days
completing my scientific studies, preparing my work for publication, and transmitting it back to St.
George. It will be the culmination of my career. When I am done, I am ready to go." She turned to Dr.
Wong again.
"We do have termination capsules on board, Doctor Wong?" she asked.
"Of course," Cesar replied.
Seiko then turned back to Pierre. "It will be difficult to stay rational as time goes on," she said
matter-of-factly. "I would recommend that you consider consigning Amalita's body to space now. That
way we can avoid temptation later." She dove out the door and pulled herself up through the passageway