A being, distinct from humans, reflects on its existence and the need for exploration. It gathers a council of its kind to devise a plan to lure extraterrestrial visitors, specifically flying saucers, to land. The plan involves creating an illusion of a spaceship in Illinois, which would attract the attention of these visitors. The protagonist believes that by successfully engaging with the saucers, they can find new worlds for their kind, who have existed alongside humans but remain largely hidden. The illusion is set up, and the protagonist and its allies manipulate the environment to create disturbances that would signal the saucers. Eventually, the plan succeeds, and a saucer lands, deploying a robot to investigate. The protagonist seizes the opportunity to board the saucer, taking supplies with it. The journey to an unknown destination begins, with the protagonist avoiding detection by the robot. As the saucer travels faster than light, the protagonist observes the stars and contemplates its mission. Upon arrival at a large planet, the protagonist decides to remain aboard the saucer rather than dematerialize to the surface. However, the situation escalates when the robot captures a farmer from Earth for examination, prompting the protagonist to act. The protagonist takes control of the robot to escape the ship and navigate through a city filled with other robots. It seeks a hiding place to plan its next moves against the planet's inhabitants. However, upon encountering one of these beings, the protagonist realizes the futility of its strength against such a formidable foe. The realization leads to a desperate retreat, as the protagonist understands that it cannot return to Earth and is now trapped on this alien world. The narrative explores themes of survival, the nature of fear, and the consequences of ambition. The protagonist grapples with its identity and the limitations imposed by its environment, ultimately facing the grim reality of its situation. The story concludes with the protagonist contemplating self-destruction as a means of escape from the horrors it has encountered, highlighting the existential struggle of a being caught between worlds.
By F.L. Wallace · First published 1962 · Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy