SPECIMEN
BY CHARLES V. DE VET
The Zades had their sample Earthling.
What would eventually happen to the
whole depended on what happened to the
specimen. It was as simple as that!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, August 1958.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
As official reporter on the project I was in Srtes' office when theybrought the alien in. He was as tall as an average Zade, of prettymuch the same color, and would have been able to pass as one of usexcept that he had no vestigial wings. It gave his shoulders an odd,flat, appearance, and somehow added to the abrupt awkwardness of everymovement of his body. He might have had wires rather than musclesbeneath his soft dark skin.
There were other, minor differences, of course. Hair grew not only onhis head, but also on his body. Coarse, black hair. It could be seenon his hands and the exposed portions of his arms, and on his chestwhere his blouse was open at the neck. His eyes were brown and set wideapart, with long hairs on the lid edges. His nose had no hard upperridge. The bone was covered only by the same flesh as the rest of hisface.
He was accompanied by a Commander Leik, captain of the space ship thathad brought him from Earth. When they entered Srtes rose and set thescroll he had been studying to one side. "I welcome you back," he saidto Leik, touching his cheek with the greeting finger of his left hand.
Leik respectfully returned the gesture. "I am once more content," hereplied.
"Has he been instructed in our language?" Srtes asked, after the briefformalities were over. He indicated the Earth native.
"He has become quite adept during the eight great tides since we lefthis world," the Commander answered.
"It is well." Srtes turned and eyed the Earth man searchingly.
The alien returned the gaze, not defiantly, yet not at allsubserviently. I could tell that he was ill at ease. A fine sprinklingof perspiration dotted his forehead, and he breathed slowly and deeply,as though carefully timing each inhalation and exhalation.
"Do you have a name?" Srtes asked him.
He made a nodding motion with his head. "John Wilson," he said. Thewords were clear enough, but spoken with a slurred, soft-palate, sound.
"You have two names?" The hairlines above Srtes' eyes raised slightly.
"It is the custom on their world," Leik supplied. "The surname has aclan connotation."
"You understand your purpose here?" Srtes asked the outworlder.
"Yes." He added nothing to the reply.
"You are aware that there are no restrictions on the study we may makeof you?"
"Yes."
"Even that we may dissect you, or kill you, if we so desire?"
The alien's complexion changed subtly, becoming slightly lighter, andhis lips pressed firmly together. He made the bobbing motion with hishead again.
"His nodding signifies an affirmative reply," Leik interjected."He volunteered to come with us, so he is quite familiar with theconditions."
"Volunteered?"
"It is strange," Leik agreed. "Yet when I offered to leave one ofour men in return for a specimen of their race—so that mutual studymight be made—I was firmly refused. It seems their culture has someabsurd belief in inherent rights of its individual members. I was savedthe inconvenience of abducting the necessary specimen when this onevolunteered."
Srtes had difficulty grasping the