Short Fiction · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Walter M. Miller Jr..
Chapter 1
Conditionally Human
Inspector Norris faces domestic conflict with his wife Anne over his job destroying unclaimed neutroids. He begins investigating the Delmont case involving deviant K-99 neutroids that may be capable of reproduction, while dealing with resistance from pet owners and a request from Doctor Georges to substitute a neutroid for a disturbed woman.
Chapter 2
It Takes a Thief
Asir, a young thief on Mars, is hung by his wrists as punishment for stealing ritual phrases. He endures pain and waits for the executioner Slubil to administer the bleeding-blade, the nature of which is unknown to him. Mara, the daughter of a Senior Kinsman, taunts him but also winks ambiguously. Asir eventually calls for the knife, but Slubil reveals his sentence has been changed to death by axe. Mara intervenes, leading them into ancient vaults where a robot named Big Joe kills Slubil. Asir learns the vaults contain knowledge and control equipment for renewing Mars' atmosphere, but he must master the ancients' knowledge to proceed further.
Chapter 3
Check and Checkmate
President John Smith XVI engages in a tense televiewphone conversation with the Red leader, who removes his mask and proposes a personal meeting in Antarctica. After the call, Smith initiates a security probe and accelerates weapons production, fearing an Asian spy network and military threat.
Chapter 4
Death of a Spaceman
Old Donegal, a dying spaceman, lies in his bed with his wife Martha and daughter Nora. He reflects on his life in space, the loss of his son-in-law Oley, and the meaning of his sacrifices. He jokes about death, asks for whiskey, and requests a priest, while the sounds of a party from the neighboring Keith mansion contrast with his final moments.
Chapter 5
Way of a Rebel
Mitch Laskell deserts the Navy, fleeing in a stolen submarine after a crisis of conscience about the destructive nature of the war. He grapples with his love for technological civilization and his rejection of a conflict that threatens to annihilate industry and humanity's tools. Despite orders and threats from his commanders, he resolves to escape to a remote part of the world, rationalizing his rebellion as a declaration of independence.
Chapter 6
The Ties That Bind
Analyst Meikl observes the cooperation between spacers and natives as they build a railway on Earth, reflecting on the cultural differences and the natives' lack of concepts like war or exploitation. He has a tense conversation with the native girl Letha, hinting at the violent history of the starfaring civilization. Meanwhile, the star fleet arrives over Earth, causing awe and fear among the population. In a subsequent conference, Meikl argues against landing on Earth, warning of the cultural contamination and danger to the natives, but is overruled by the baron.
Chapter 7
The Hoofer
Big Hogey Parker, a spacer recently returned from a long hitch in space, struggles with the transition to life on Earth. He is drunk, disoriented, and haunted by the knowledge that his career as a 'tumbler' (spacer) is incompatible with having a family. He makes his way to the Hauptman farm, where his wife Marie and infant son await, but his physical and emotional state leads him to collapse in a mud hole, where he is found by Marie's brothers.