An alien creature, the Morid, escapes from a Federation ship and crash-lands on Earth, specifically in the Florida Keys. The Morid, a vicious carnivore with a near-human intelligence, is drawn to a Telethink station, sensing life and food. Meanwhile, the ship's commander, Xaxtol, grapples with the ethical dilemma of intervening in a primitive culture while also needing to contain the threat posed by the Morid. At the Telethink station, operators Vann and Ellis are alerted by the explosion of the Morid's lifeboat. They realize the danger of the creature being loose on Earth and attempt to warn Ellis, who is out in a launch. As chaos unfolds, the Federation decides to send bombers to destroy the island to prevent the Morid from escaping, leaving Ellis and a hermit named Charlie Trask in peril. Charlie, a reclusive figure, is initially dismissive of Ellis's warnings about the Morid. As the creature approaches, Ellis suffers a broken ankle and struggles to convince Charlie to help him escape. The Morid's presence is felt through telepathic connections, causing panic among those aware of its existence. In a twist of fate, Charlie's cat, Max, confronts the Morid, leading to an unexpected outcome. The creature is killed, and Ellis manages to relay the message to call off the bombers just in time. The incident reveals the stark contrast between the size and nature of the Morid and the humans, suggesting that humans may be unique in the universe. The narrative concludes with a reflection on humanity's potential role in the galaxy, hinting at the complexities of size and perception in interstellar relations. The story explores themes of survival, the ethics of intervention, and the unexpected consequences of encounters between vastly different beings.
By Roger Dee Aycock · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure