The Prize

9 hrs. 48 min.

Language Russian

Author Vyacheslav Kumin

Narrator Alexander Sidorov

Life on the planet Sahara, fit for habitation—continues. But once they dealt with one big problem (a war with “rats”), another appears. It turns out that there are other intelligent beings on Sahara. A delegation is sent to them on three helicopters to establish peaceful relations—but on approach to the settlement, one of them is shot down by the natives. The confrontation begins.

Using hang-gliders, the natives attack the humans’ landing modules, trying to reach the settlers—but so far without success. The humans begin hunting the natives, destroying their settlements and taking captives to run experiments, all in order to create weapons of mass destruction.

Only the realization that without the experience of life of the native Orfeians, people won’t survive on a barely habitable planet— and that organizing genocide inhumanly before even attempting another negotiation is intolerable—forces them to lay down their weapons.

1. The Lottery (narrated by Alexander Sidorov) 2. The Prize