Med Service

by Murray Leinster

"Med Service" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. It follows the story of Calhoun, a Med Ship pilot on a routine health inspection mission to the colony planet Maris III, who encounters a mysterious and deadly plague that has decimated the local population. Accompanied by his peculiar companion Murgatroyd, Calhoun must navigate an unexpected and perilous situation as local inhabitants exhibit strange behaviors and dangerous attacks that suggest deeper intrigues at play. At the start of the narrative, Calhoun and Murgatroyd are approaching Maris III when they experience an alarming incident caused by the planet’s landing grid, which violently attempts to destroy their ship. Upon landing, they discover a seemingly deserted city and a corpse with unanswered questions regarding its death. As Calhoun investigates further, it becomes clear that a recent plague is at the heart of the local mystery. The opening portion of the novel sets a tense atmosphere, blending elements of space adventure with medical science, as Calhoun prepares to uncover the truth behind the plague and the hostile actions of those in the city.