Missing Link by Frank Herbert
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"Missing Link" by Frank Herbert is a science fiction short story originally published in the February 1959 issue of "Astounding Science Fiction". Set in a fictional universe where interstellar exploration and alien encounters are common, the narrative explores the complexities of first contact with an alien civilization that possesses advanced technology derived from a lost human ship. The story delves into themes of communication, cultural exchange, and the unforeseen consequences of human
actions in unfamiliar territories. The plot centers on Lewis Orne, a junior field agent tasked with establishing contact with the inhabitants of Gienah III after the disappearance of the ship "Delphinus Rediscovery". As Orne navigates the jungle-laden planet, he encounters Tanub, a Gienahn who holds an advanced alien rifle, suggesting that they have recovered the wreckage of "Delphinus". As tension rises, Orne must negotiate with Tanub and his people to prevent an inevitable extermination by their Terran overlords. The story develops through a series of discussions exploring the nature of power, technology, and the potential for coexistence between different cultures, ultimately leading to a precarious diplomatic resolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Herbert, Frank, 1920-1986 |
|---|---|
| Title | Missing Link |
| Series Title | Produced from Astounding Science Fiction, Volume LXII No. 6, February 1959. |
| Credits |
Produced by Greg Weeks, Bruce Albrecht, Markus Brenner and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 87.5 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 23210 |
| Release Date | Oct 27, 2007 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 364 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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