Boarding Party

Boarding Party is a science fiction short story by Robert F. Young, first published in 1963. The narrative follows a greenship pilot on a mission to save his shipment of yumquat trees, which takes an unexpected turn when a young boy steals valuable items from his ship. This leads the captain into a series of misadventures that explore themes of cultural interaction and the consequences of technological advancement. Young's lyrical prose and exploration of human-alien encounters make this tale notable in the genre.