"Shadrach"

"Shadrach" by Nelson S. Bond is a science fiction novella written during the early 20th century. It reimagines the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, presenting a narrative set on Titania, a moon of Uranus. The tale explores themes of survival and morality in confrontations with danger and the unknown. The story follows Chip Warren, a free-lance prospector who intervenes to save a drunken miner, who unknowingly possesses a precious and rare metal called ekalastron, from a group of criminals led by Blaze Amborg. When Amborg and his crew aim to steal the ekalastron, chaos erupts, drawing the attention of Salvation Smith, a legendary missionary figure. After a violent confrontation in a bar, Chip, Salvation, and the miner find themselves in peril on Titania, where they are captured by the native Titanians. As they face a trial by fire, reminiscent of the biblical Shadrach's ordeal, they soon discover that the flames are not what they seem. The trio must navigate the challenges of survival, the true nature of courage, and the morality of their actions as they confront Amborg and the potential of ekalastron, leading to an unexpected resolution.