Nobody Saw the Ship

Name: Nobody Saw the Ship
Author: Murray Leinster

A small alien scout ship, operated by a single Qul-En, lands on Earth unnoticed, with a mission to find a specific hormone essential for its race's survival. The Qul-En's ship is designed to remain hidden, as its mission involves sampling Earth’s fauna without drawing attention. After unsuccessful attempts on other planets, it arrives at Earth, where it discovers that the nervous systems of local animals may contain the sought-after hormone. The ship lands in a remote area, and the Qul-En begins its exploration in the guise of a mountain lion, equipped with advanced technology that allows it to mimic the animal's appearance and behavior. It starts by examining various creatures, including rabbits and coyotes, and finds promising evidence of the hormone in their nervous systems. The Qul-En is pleased with its findings and plans to continue sampling. Meanwhile, Antonio Menendez, an old shepherd, and his dog Salazar are nearby. Antonio, superstitious and fearful, becomes alarmed when he discovers the remains of animals that have been meticulously dissected, leading him to believe that a supernatural force is at work. He attempts to protect his flock from what he perceives as a malevolent presence. As the Qul-En continues its sampling, it becomes increasingly interested in Antonio and Salazar, viewing them as potential specimens. The alien's actions, however, are misinterpreted by Antonio, who believes he is being hunted by a demon. In a panic, he tries to flee with his sheep, but Salazar remains vigilant, sensing the danger. The Qul-En, now determined to collect specimens from the flock, encounters resistance from Salazar, who bravely attacks the synthetic mountain lion. In the ensuing struggle, Antonio accidentally injures the Qul-En's vehicle, causing it to malfunction. The alien, realizing it must escape, attempts to return to its ship. As the Qul-En makes its way back, it is overwhelmed by the insect life that has infested its ship, which it had previously ignored. In a desperate attempt to escape, the Qul-En activates its ship, but the damage from the insects proves too severe. The ship takes off, but the Qul-En succumbs to oxygen deprivation due to a malfunction caused by the insects. Ultimately, the Qul-En's mission fails, and it dies in space, leaving behind a world that remains unaware of the alien's presence. Antonio, still convinced of the supernatural, shares his story with others, but they dismiss it as mere superstition. The tale concludes with the notion that the extraordinary events were lost to the realm of disbelief, leaving the fate of the Qul-En and its mission a secret forever.

By Murray Leinster · First published 1950 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 4 chapters · 9,510 words

First lines

_It was only a tiny scout ship from somewhere beyond the stars; only one alien creature occupied it. But the ship's mission spelled life to its fellow creatures and death to all living creatures on Earth. And against the super-science of the raider stood one terrified old man and his dog._

The landing of the Qul-En ship, a tiny craft no more than fifteen feet in diameter, went completely unnoticed, as its operator intended. It was armed, of course, but its purpose was not destruction. If this ship, whose entire crew consisted of one individual, were successful in its mission then a great ship would come, wiping out the entire population of cities before anyone suspected the danger.

What this Textopian page supports

Nobody Saw the Ship is listed on Textopian as a novel by Murray Leinster, dated 1950 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Murray Leinster
Date: 1950 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller, Horror
Length: 9,510 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 80 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Genres

Science Fiction — The plot revolves around an alien ship and its exploration of Earth, focusing on themes of extraterrestrial life and advanced technology.
Adventure — The narrative includes elements of exploration and survival, as the alien and the old man navigate their respective challenges.
Fantasy — The story incorporates fantastical elements, such as the transformation of the alien into a mountain-lion and the superstitions of the human character.
Thriller — The tension builds around the alien's secretive mission and the potential threat it poses to Earth, creating a suspenseful atmosphere.