The Weapon: The Ultimate Weapon Exists… But It’s Not Yours to Wield

The Weapon by Isaac Asimov - “You ask us of Mars for a weapon to save your world. We have it–but it is not for you Earthman. Men may die and planets perish, but we break not the law of the universe–Every civilization must work out its own destiny!”

In a future where totalitarian wars have nearly eradicated democracy on Earth, Preston Calvin travels to Mars seeking help from the advanced Martians. He asks for a chemical they used long ago to curb emotions like anger and hate, enabling them to reject war and violence. The Martians refuse, believing each civilization must forge its own path.

'The Weapon' is a short story by Isaac Asimov, written in September 1938 when he was 18 and first published in the May 1942 issue of Super Science Stories under the pseudonym H.B. Ogden. Asimov later forgot about this story, believing it was rejected and lost. Consequently, it was not included in his 1972 collection, The Early Asimov, where he listed it among eleven of his lost stories. However, while writing his autobiography, In Memory Yet Green (1979), Asimov found a diary entry that reminded him of its publication. He then obtained a copy of the magazine and ensured the story was included in the autobiography.