Fast-penta

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Fast-penta is a truth drug in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci fi series, the Vorkosigan Saga.

Fast-Penta makes the druggee unable to resist answering questions honestly. Because of this, high level covert operatives generally receive an artificially-induced, fatal allergy to fast-penta as a condition of promotion.

Some people have a natural allergy to the drug, rendering the drug useless. Others have an idiosyncratic response. Most notably, Miles Vorkosigan just becomes very hyper and babbles excessively under the influence fast-penta. He can beat the interrogation by reciting poetry, and has. Other people have reported extra clarity of thought under fast-penta, most notably Dr. Rivas, a five space math expert on Komarr in the novel Komarr.