Captain Briggs went below to check on the alien scientist from Planet NP372/pi3. The being (Zam'm'leen'b) possessed the knowledge to help Earth regenerate its dying atmosphere--but a tiny errant asteroid had damaged the creature's atmospheric module and soon it would die. Unless, that is, Captain Briggs altered the ship's Earth atmosphere into a chemical mix approximating the alien's. Then Zam'm;leen'b could leave his damaged module and survive the remainder of the trip in the ship's new, altered atmosphere. That would mean, of course, that Captain Briggs would have to sacrifice his own life for the alien--and for the benefit of all Mankind left on Earth.
The captain did not hesitate; he changed the ships internal atmosphere, and promptly and excruciatingly died.
"Such a noble deed," thought Zam'm'leen'b. "Out of respect for Captain Briggs' sacrifice, I must honor our spiritual custom and lay down my life in homage."
Whereupon the alien opened the ship's airlock and let himself be sucked out into the vacuum of space. Thus died the alien Zam'm'leen'b, Captain Briggs, and eventually the last remnants of Humankind on Earth.
The captain did not hesitate; he changed the ships internal atmosphere, and promptly and excruciatingly died.
"Such a noble deed," thought Zam'm'leen'b. "Out of respect for Captain Briggs' sacrifice, I must honor our spiritual custom and lay down my life in homage."
Whereupon the alien opened the ship's airlock and let himself be sucked out into the vacuum of space. Thus died the alien Zam'm'leen'b, Captain Briggs, and eventually the last remnants of Humankind on Earth.
