F.o.b. Venus
1939
F.o.b. Venus is a science fiction short story by Nelson S. Bond, first published in 1939. The narrative follows Lancelot Biggs, a clumsy second mate aboard the cargo ship Saturn, as he navigates a series of misadventures while transporting valuable cargo from Venus to Earth. Despite his incompetence leading to disastrous outcomes, a twist of fate reveals that the ruined cargo has transformed into gold due to cosmic rays, ultimately allowing Biggs to save the day. The story explores themes of incompetence and unexpected outcomes in space travel.
