They Also Serve

In Short

Donald E. Westlake’s short story presents a subterranean alien garrison stationed on Earth's Moon, operating under the command of an officer named Darquelnoy. The aliens belong to a species that requires high-radiation worlds for colonization, a resource made scarce by the universe's aging process. They monitor Earth’s Cold War tensions, anticipating that humanity will soon unleash a catastrophic atomic conflict. When a human space probe unexpectedly orbits the Moon, the aliens are forced to hide underground. Ultimately, the story highlights the macabre patience of spacefaring scavengers who view human self-destruction as a convenient, resource-generating event.

The Story

Captain Ebor lands his supply launch on the far side of the Moon, keeping the satellite’s landmass between his ship and Earth to avoid detection. Stepping out in his spacesuit onto the uneven, low-gravity terrain, Ebor observes his crew unloading cargo and guiding clumsy new replacements down the ramp. Upon looking toward the location of the main dome that houses the base staff and equipment, he discovers to his surprise that the structure has vanished. He follows a driver in an open ground-car toward a nearby crater wall, where an air-lock entrance has been carved into the rock.

Inside the newly constructed underground base, Ebor meets with his old friend, base commander Darquelnoy. The commander is stressed and drinking restno, a warm beverage he consumes to cope with strain. Darquelnoy explains that the sudden move underground was triggered by humanity's unexpected technological progress. Earth had launched a remote-controlled spaceship that orbited the Moon and took photographs before returning home. Though the probe did not spot the original surface dome, Darquelnoy ordered the entire installation dismantled and reestablished inside melted-out rock corridors to maintain absolute secrecy.

Darquelnoy expresses frustration over the geopolitical state of Earth. Humans have split into two competing factions that constantly launch hardware into space to outdo one another. He complains that while humans brag endlessly, they take an agonizingly long time to initiate a full-scale war. Ebor suggests interfering to hasten the conflict, but Darquelnoy refuses, explaining that any hint of an external alien presence would unite humanity against a common enemy, postponing their inevitable internal destruction.

The aliens' underlying motivation is a dire population crisis and a lack of suitable real estate across the galaxy. Because the universe is aging and planetary half-lives are decaying, naturally radioactive planets are extremely rare. The aliens rely on young or warlike species to pollute their own environments with nuclear fallout, rendering the planets uninhabitable for the original residents but perfectly suited for alien colonization.

Ebor offers reassurance, noted that the human space probe signals the imminent arrival of manned lunar bases, which will inevitably trigger a final, destructive war between Earth's rival factions. Relieved by the prospect, Darquelnoy agrees, hoping the atomic war occurs soon so his species can claim the highly radioactive planet left behind.

How It Unfolds

The supply run arrives Captain Ebor lands his supply ship on the far side of the Moon to deliver mail and fresh replacements. Stepping onto the low-gravity terrain, he notices that the main surface dome housing the base staff has completely disappeared.

Entering the crater base A ground-car transports Ebor to a newly carved air-lock entrance at the base of a crater wall. After passing through the lock, Ebor enters a series of freshly excavated underground corridors furnished with items saved from the original surface dome.

The unexpected visitor Base commander Darquelnoy reveals that a human space probe recently orbited the Moon to take photographs. To prevent detection, the garrison worked frantically to dismantle the surface dome and relocate the entire operation beneath the lunar rock.

Analyzing the enemy Darquelnoy describes humanity as a hostile, boasting species split into two rival camps that launch hardware into space. He explains that exposing the alien presence would inadvertently unite the human factions against a common enemy instead of destroying each other.

A desperate search for land The two aliens discuss the galactic shortage of habitable, high-radiation planets caused by the aging universe. They explain their strategy of waiting for developing civilizations to contaminate their own worlds with nuclear fallout.

Waiting for the end Ebor reassures Darquelnoy that human space travel will soon lead to military bases on the Moon, triggering the final nuclear war. Darquelnoy agrees, ordering more restno while hoping the atomic destruction happens quickly so they can colonize Earth.

The People

• Captain Ebor: A seasoned supply transport captain who routinely visits periphery bases. He navigates his ship with casual expertise born of long practice, maintains a laid-back attitude toward military protocols, and offers calm, sympathetic listening to his stressed friend.

• Darquelnoy: The commander of the lunar observation base. Exhausted and perpetually anxious, he suffers from low morale while overseeing an operation that requires absolute secrecy. He longs for the prompt destruction of humanity so his mission can finally end.

• The Orderly: A low-ranking base worker who serves hot cups of restno to the officers. He executes casual, sloppy tentacle-cross salutes that his superiors casually ignore.

• The Cargo Crew and Replacements: The labor force assigned to the lunar post. The experienced crew members move efficiently in their suits, while the newly arrived replacements stumble awkwardly under the unfamiliar gravity and bleak environment.

In Its Own Voice

"Why should people hate vultures? After all, a vulture never kills anyone..."

The story opens with an epigraph framing the narrative's central metaphor regarding predatory patience.

"They are absolutely the worst creatures for secrecy in the entire galaxy!"

Darquelnoy expresses his exasperation over human military posturing and unpredictable technological advances.

"Don't worry," Ebor told him. "They'll have their atomic war pretty soon, and leave us a nice high-radiation planet to colonize."

Ebor reassures the base commander by outlining the ultimate goal of their waiting game on the Moon.

What It's Really About

The story presents a satire of Cold War paranoia and existential dread by reframing human self-destruction through an outsider's lens. Rather than portraying space as a frontier of heroic discovery, the narrative presents it as a battleground of absurd posturing observed by opportunistic scavengers. Humanity’s nuclear stockpiles and space race achievements are stripped of their ideological grandeur, reduced instead to dangerous, foolish antics. The plot explores the dark irony of cosmic survival, where one species' suicidal tendencies become another's vital natural resource. Westlake critiques the senselessness of mutual assured destruction by showing that the only beneficiaries of human conflict are the metaphorical vultures waiting quietly in the shadows.

Why Read It Today

This short story offers a quick, darkly humorous perspective on the Space Race and nuclear angst of the mid-twentieth century. Readers who enjoy classic speculative fiction with a twist will appreciate Westlake's understated, ironic delivery. The narrative relies on a minimalist setup, focusing almost entirely on a casual conversation between two alien officers who view human extinction purely as a logistical convenience.

The piece carries the distinct period flavor of 1960s magazine science fiction, framed by Cold War anxieties about satellite surveillance and nuclear stockpiles. Its chief strength lies in its subversion of classic first-contact tropes: the extraterrestrials have no desire to conquer, conquerors, or mentor humanity; they simply wish to inherit the radioactive ash left behind by human folly. It serves as a brief, sharp reminder of how human self-importance looks when viewed from the cold expanse of space.