Planet of the Damned

The pinnacle of achievement on the planet Anvhar is winning the Twenties: their annual physical and mental games. Brion Brandd has pushed himself beyond all his limits to claim the trophy, but his post-success recuperation is interrupted by a previous Winner, named Ihelj, on a mission. Ihelj’s story about the upcoming mutual destruction of two planets in a far-flung system, combined with subtle emotional manipulation, is enough to convince Brion that in saving human life he has a hitherto unforeseen job to do.

Harry Harrison was still early in his career when he wrote this story, which was originally serialized in Analog Science Fact & Fiction in 1961. It was well received, being nominated for a Hugo award for Best Novel in 1962.