SIX FRIGHTENED MEN

Episode #28 · Written by Robert Silverberg · Narrated by Scott Miller

A team of explorers on a distant world confronts an impossible creature that appears and vanishes without warning — a presence so overwhelming it can stop a man’s heart. But as fear turns to suspicion, the real danger may come from within the crew itself.

When the Exploratory Wing of the Space Corps puts boots on the surface of Pollux V, the crew expects harsh weather, unknown geology, and maybe a few archaeological mysteries. What they find instead is something far stranger — a towering, shape-shifting apparition that appears in an instant, looms over their team, and disappears without leaving the slightest trace. The first to see it dies of sheer terror. The second dies in a fall brought on by panic. And soon the survivors begin to wonder whether they are being hunted in some deliberate, terrifying pattern.

At the center of Six Frightened Men is Phil, a morphologist accustomed to encountering dangerous creatures across the galaxy. But nothing in his scientific background can explain this impossible thing — a gray, fluid monstrosity with glaring eyes and a mouth like a gate to oblivion, able to manifest from thin air and vanish just as quickly. As the bodies mount, the crew’s fear becomes palpable, and the expedition’s core mission is overshadowed by the need to survive long enough to understand what is stalking them beneath the glow of Pollux V’s hundred moons.

Silverberg drives the narrative with tension, uncertainty, and the slow realization that the mind can be just as deadly as any alien predator. As suspicion grows within the crew, the story evolves from an extraterrestrial horror into a human drama about trust, ambition, and the dangerous intersection of curiosity and greed. It’s a gripping blend of psychological suspense and planetary mystery, the kind of tale that keeps you leaning forward and waiting for the next devastating reveal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Silverberg is among the most celebrated and versatile authors in the history of science fiction. Born in 1935, he sold his first professional story while still in high school and went on to become one of the defining voices of the genre’s modern era. His writing spans adventure, philosophy, anthropology, futurism, and myth — and his ability to deliver powerful stories in both short and long forms helped establish his reputation early.

Across his long career, Silverberg has earned multiple Hugo and Nebula Awards, a place in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and the prestigious title of SFWA Grand Master. His early works, such as Six Frightened Men, showcase the sharp talent and narrative instincts that would later produce classics like Dying Inside, Nightwings, and The Book of Skulls. His legacy continues to shape the way readers — and writers — think about science fiction, making every discovery of one of his stories feel like uncovering a piece of the genre’s foundation.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to Six Frightened Men by Robert Silverberg — a vintage science fiction tale of fear, mystery, and survival on an alien world where nothing is what it seems.

LOST SCI-FI PREMIUM

ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 43 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 4.2 million listens.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

What listeners are saying:

★★★★★ “Such fun! Thanks so much for your respect of the material and quality of your work. I live in a Daoist monastery and enjoy listening while doing work on the land. 🙏☯️💙”
— OxDoc

★★★★★ “A legitimate Top Tier Pod. I can’t do justice to how good this podcast is, truly. The host has an affect and vocal style that’s just perfect. The stories are buried gems, sure, there’s problematic vocabulary but you have to enjoy it in the spirit it’s offered. I LOVE seeing how creative people from 40-50 years ago, imagined how the world would exist. It’s just glorious and I love it.”
— bwdesmo

Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.

📬 JOIN LOST SCI-FI WEEKLY

40,000+ Listeners Can’t Be Wrong

Get vintage sci-fi stories, podcast episodes, and surprises every Monday.

FREE SCI-FI EVERY WEEK

✅ Check your email and confirm — that unlocks your free sci-fi downloads.

No spam in this galaxy. You can eject anytime.