When Stan Polo crash-landed the Perennial Sparrow in the swamps of Granolabah it was completely out of fuel. “Nice landing,” said Duke Skyhawker sarcastically, pulling weeds from his hair. Polo took it as a compliment and grinned.
“Hustle up some fuel, Stan, and get us off this dump,” ordered Princess Hava Banana. By a stroke of good fortune, four small green aliens with pointy ears promptly appeared with a petrol tanker.
“I want one million gallons of rebel warship diesel,” said Polo. “Unleaded.”
One of the aliens held up a card, which read: WE WILL EACH MAKE ONE STATEMENT. DEDUCE WHO IS TELLING THE TRUTH AND WHO IS LYING AND WE WILL FILL UP YOUR TANK. Polo nodded agreement.
“At least one of us is lying,” said the first alien. “At least two of us are lying,” said the second alien. “At least three of us are lying,” said the third alien. “At least four of us are lying,” said the fourth alien.
Help Stan Polo refuel his spaceship.
The prizeThe winner receives a copy of The Universe in Zero Words: The Story of Mathematics As Told Through Equations, by Dana Mackenzie, which tells the stories behind 24 equations—what they mean, who discovered them, and why they matter.
RulesSend your solution to answer@prospect-magazine.co.uk or Crossword/Enigmas, Prospect, 2 Bloomsbury Place, London, WC1A 2QA. Include your email and postal address for prize administration. All entries must be received by 8th June. Winners will be announced in our July issue.
