Men of Greywater Station

Men of Greywater Station is a short story written by George R. R. Martin and Howard Waldrop. It was published in March 1976.

Synopsis
The story takes place in George R. R. Martin's fictional science fiction universe called The Thousand Worlds on an unnamed planet. It follows a group of seven scientist living in a fortified base called Greywater Station. A highly intelligent hive minded life form called The Fungus covers the planet. The Fungus has the ability to take over the minds of others organisms by releasing it's spores into the air. The Fungus seems to be hostile towards every organism it hasn't yet taken over.

The story starts with five scientists witnessing the crash of a space ship transporting soldiers. They argue wether or not to try and save the surviving soldiers from being taken over by The Fungus. Sheridan argues it's best to kill the survivors, since he deems it inevitable The Fungus will take over their minds. And send them against Greywater Station, with would me disastrous because the soldiers probably have more sophisticated weapons. Reyn want to save them and put them in quarantine. Granowitz, suggests using a not fully working vaccine on them.

Character

 * Eldon Sheridan, the bullet-headed zoologist,
 * Jim Delvecchio, leader
 * Bill Reyn, youngest, thick black hair
 * Ike Granowitz, wiry extee psychologist, suggests vaccine
 * Arnold Andrews, mycologist, quiet, small of stature
 * Otis Sanderpay (telecom man)
 * Ned Miterz (outside)

Already dead at start of story
Blatt and Ryerson (geologist), died in a flyer crash eight months before the start of the story. The flyer crashed after it was knocked to bits by swampbats.

Species

 * Humans
 * The Fungus
 * swampbats
 * Fyndii