Never Trust a Thief!
A skilled jewel thief, Kiley, finds himself in a precarious situation after a failed burglary lands him in a high-security prison on Alpheraz VII. While incarcerated, he encounters Thaklaru, an alien with telepathic abilities who offers Kiley a partnership in crime. Thaklaru can project his mind to hypnotize others, allowing Kiley to steal without resistance. Intrigued by the prospect of wealth, Kiley agrees to the partnership, and Thaklaru orchestrates his escape from prison. Once free, Kiley enjoys a brief period of luxury on Alpheraz VII, using Thaklaru's powers to commit thefts with ease. Their biggest heist occurs at the Emperor's palace, where Kiley successfully pilfers the crown jewels. With a fortune in hand, Kiley prepares to meet Thaklaru on the alien's home planet, eager to see his partner and divide their spoils. Upon arrival, Kiley is struck by the alien landscape, filled with towering mountains and strange vegetation. He retrieves the stolen jewels and awaits Thaklaru's appearance. However, when the alien finally reveals himself, Kiley is horrified to discover that Thaklaru is a colossal creature, far beyond his expectations. The alien's immense size prevents him from navigating human environments, necessitating Kiley's assistance. As they prepare to divide the jewels, Thaklaru reveals his true intentions: Kiley must die to protect the alien's secret. The betrayal is swift and brutal, as Thaklaru's size and power render Kiley powerless. The story concludes with Kiley's tragic realization that he was never truly a partner but merely a tool for Thaklaru's ambitions. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of greed, culminating in Kiley's demise at the hands of the very accomplice he thought he could rely on.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1993 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,540 words
First lines
Kiley felt all-powerful with the alien guiding him in the looting of a world. Now the whole galaxy was his if he could remember to --
Kiley took one last, fond look at the glittering heap of jewels in the back of the spaceship, nodded happily to himself, and began to set up a blastoff orbit. Somewhere down on the field far below, he could see dot-like figures -- spaceport attendants, all firmly convinced that this was an authorized flight.
What this Textopian page supports
Never Trust a Thief! is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Silverberg, dated 1993 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert Silverberg
- Date: 1993 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Thriller, Crime
- Length: 2,540 words
- Structure: 1 section, 92 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Never Trust a Thief! by Robert Silverberg
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Never Trust a Thief!?
- How does this short story by Robert Silverberg fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story features advanced technology, alien species, and space travel, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Fantasy — The presence of telepathy and an alien accomplice introduces fantastical elements that align with fantasy themes.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around a heist and the protagonist's journey through various challenges, typical of adventure narratives.
- Thriller — The tension and suspense surrounding trust and betrayal create a thrilling atmosphere.
Tags
crime · mystery · suspense · thriller · heist · deception · betrayal · trust · intrigue · adventure · plot twist · character development