Fantastic Creatures by Isaac Asimov

Author:Isaac Asimov [Asimov, Isaac]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0531043428
Publisher: Franklin Watts
Published: 1980-12-31T21:00:00+00:00

FLIGHT OVER XP-637 by Craig Sayre

Horace Miner once wrote an article called “Body Ritual Among the Nacirema,” which was a tongue-in-cheek description of the peculiar habits of Americans as they might be seen by a visiting anthropologist. The following story contains a similar theme, but here we have alien scientists studying some of earth’s fabulous creatures.

* * *

Aainst Uthorita paced ruminatively about his behavioral observation laboratory on board the star vessel Orrespone, now in a deep circular orbit about exploratory planet 637. Uthorita was a scientist, considered one of the best planetary theorists and researchers of extraterrestrial behavior on Giate. He had pioneered the concept of studying alien creatures by molecular trans-alteration, a process by which the molecules of one’s body could be altered and rearranged such that one could assimilate the physical appearance and characteristics of an alien creature. Uthorita believed that the best way to study the behavior of a new alien species was to become one of them and live as they did.

The aging reptilian paused in front of the battery of electronic equipment that monitored the physiological functions of his research assistants on the planet below.

When first used, Uthorita’s theories and experiments had proved stunningly successful, yielding a wealth of new information on strange and exotic creatures throughout the star system. But in recent years, there had been a rising chorus of opposition to his methods, particularly when they were applied to the study of creatures living in a violent environment.

Tire recent events on XP-637 would surely strengthen the hand of Uthorita’s opponents. So much had gone wrong with this project. And now, Uthorita had just received word that one of his ablest assistants had almost been killed while investigating a species of creature on the planet.

Uthorita slowly continued his walk, tugging at the lapels of his open white lab coat while contemplating the consequences of this latest adversity.

It mattered little to him that the Chancellor of Science could demand his resignation. Uthorita was primarily preoccupied with the fate of the injured Saff Enever. And beneath his concern for Enever was an underlying fear of failure. He and his associates had put so much work into this project, and so far they had obtained a considerable quantity of invaluable data on many of the creatures on XP-637. But all that would be lost in the clamor for his dismissal, that incessantly rankled his scales.

Awakened from his thoughts by the gentle sigh of the laboratory door opening, Uthorita stopped pacing and watched his adjutant step briskly into the sterile room.

“Where have you been?” Uthorita snapped in a crusty voice. “Never mind, never mind,” he continued before Oistur Rotect could answer the question. “How is Enever?”

Rotect perused the withered saurian features of his mentor; the large, oval, protruding eyes that struggled to remain alert, the hesitating nostrils that fought to draw an even breath, the flinching corners of the mouth that never smiled—all told of the months of excruciating work in space without relief. Rotect knew Uthorita was too old for this type of project now.

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