Ha muerto Nong-2

Museum Catalog Note This issue of *La Conquista del Espacio* (Collection #593, March 1981) contains the science fiction novella "Ralph Barby Ha Muerto: Nong-2" by Ralph Barby, with cover art by Antonio Bernal. The story follows the crew of a Terran spacecraft—Commander Vogeau, Werner, and Santini—who arrive at planet Nong-2 to find its cities completely lifeless. Despite detecting no radioactivity or contamination, the dead metropolis yields no signs of inhabitants. While awaiting a rendezvous with Marius Cendra in five hundred hours, the crew descends to investigate the abandoned capital. Santini explores buildings searching for valuables, while Werner remains outside. The planet's unusual flora consists of enormous mushroom-like fungi with inverted umbrella caps. As Santini searches buildings, he discovers Werner has vanished—only his weapon remains. Santini finds his companion's hand protruding from beneath a giant fungal root system. The seemingly passive vegetation proves predatory: the massive fungi actively hunt and consume living prey, pulling victims underground through powerful root networks. Santini is attacked and killed by the mobile carnivorous fungi as he attempts to escape.