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The Test Colony
The Test Colony
Benson did his best to keep his colony from going native, but what can you do when the Natives have a rare human intelligence and know all about the facts of life?
Book Excerpt
test against the spirit of the yellow alert.
Young doctors Sorenson and Bailey came trotting up, grinning appreciatively but wagging their fingers. Without consulting Benson, Bailey mounted the ramp and shouted, "Blondes and redheads, ten minutes exposure. Brunettes, fifteen."
A great booing issued from the men, but Bailey held up his hand for silence. "The medical staff will make no effort to enforce these exposure maximums, but be advised that the radiation here is about the same as Miami Beach in June, so don't let the air-conditioning fool you."
Benson was spared further decisions on the issue, because at that moment one of the sentries remembered to take a quick look at the vector of forest he was supposed to be guarding. Unable to make his voice heard over the hub-hub, the guard fired his pistol in the air.
We all jumped up and stared, and Benson muttered, "Dear God!"
* * * * *
Our people were scattered over an acre around the ramp, and encompassing them was a s
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3.5
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The expedition to Sirius stumbles across golden, humanoid natives shortly after it lands. They complicate things, but darn it if they don't prove useful.
Although a woman or two talks or does something to advance the plot, they are mainly along for the ride as brood mares. The decision in favor of genocide/species eradication seems blithely made. I think those things bothered me more because this seems to be a serious story.
Two and a half stars.
Although a woman or two talks or does something to advance the plot, they are mainly along for the ride as brood mares. The decision in favor of genocide/species eradication seems blithely made. I think those things bothered me more because this seems to be a serious story.
Two and a half stars.
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Another good story by Marks. A small group of human colonists land on a distant planet only to discover a humanoid indigenous population already exists. After first things seem to go well but when the humans start to abandon their work (and moral) ethics, drastic measures are deemed necessary.
I thought the "measures" were decided upon a just a little too readily, especially for a story written in the early fifties but overall it was still an enjoyable tale.
I thought the "measures" were decided upon a just a little too readily, especially for a story written in the early fifties but overall it was still an enjoyable tale.
07/05/2010
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