 If, after being marooned on the alien planet, Moran does not discover any edible vegetation, how would he be expected to survive?
Now it lay astern, and Moran could see the planet that had been chosen for his marooning. In short, the ice-cap proved that a man could endure the air and temperature conditions he would find. Moran observed these things from the control-room of the Nadine , then approaching the world on planetary drive. Without rigid control of space-travel, any criminal anywhere could escape the consequences of any crime simply by buying a ticket to another world. Moran couldn't have bought a ticket, but he'd tried to get off the planet Coryus on the Nadine . He surrendered, stipulating that he wouldn't be landed back on Coryus; he still clung to hope of avoiding return—which was almost certain anyhow.
 He could use limited, fast-growing seed packets provided by the crew members of the Nadine.
 His space-suit is equipped with a nozzle through which he can absorb nutrients in gas form.  His only option would be to prey on animals, bacteria, fungi, or other living creatures.  He could use limited, fast-growing seed packets provided by the crew members of the Nadine.  He would not have any viable chance of survival without non-toxic vegetation.