A Short Story about a Prisoner Exchange

[RowanE]

About 45 years ago(!) I read a story in which:

• Humans have lost a war against a race of aliens, with whom they were effectively unable to communicate;
• They have captured only one alien pilot;
• They have lost many ships to a mysterious superweapon which leaves no debris - the target simply disappears;
• They have managed, after many misunderstandings, to surrender and arrange a prisoner exchange;
• At the prisoner exchange, the aliens arrive with all the human ships and their crews, completely undamaged;
• The aliens tell the humans that they did well, but that they played too rough;
• The aliens offer the humans the 'superweapon' and ask if they'd like to play again...

Can anyone identify it, or its author, please?

 

[PaulMmn]

The super weapon is called a 'taker.'

I've read it, too! Long ago, in a galaxy far, far, away

And if I search my entire library I might find it in a few years...

--Paul E Musselman

 

[RowanE]

The super weapon is called a 'taker.'

I've read it, too! Long ago, in a galaxy far, far, away

And if I search my entire library I might find it in a few years...

--Paul E Musselman

Paul, thanks.
Yes, somewhere in my house, too, there is an anthology which includes this story. But finding it? Hah!

 

[Bick]

This story certainly sounds like "Honourable Opponent" by Clifford D. Simak. I have the original Galaxy in which it appeared:

 

[RowanE]

YES! Thank you so much. I may even know roughly where to look for my copy now...

I would buy you a beer but it's a bit of a long way to come to visit!

Thanks again.

 

[otistdog]

FYI for those interested in this story, there is an online version of the issue available via the Internet Archive:

Galaxy Magazine (August 1956) : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive