Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
Share image
1
167
The Status Civilization
·
Robert Sheckley
111
"And
you
think
I
would
have
a
chance?"
Barrent
asked.
"I
think
so.
You're
young
and
strong,
reasonably
intelligent,
and
extremely
resourceful.
You
have
a
high
survival
quotient.
If
any
man
could
succeed,
I
believe
you
could."
"Why
one
man?"
"Because
there's
no
sense
in
sending
a
group.
The
chance
of
detection
would
simply
be
increased.
By
using
one
man,
we
get
maximum
security
and
opportunity.
If
you
succeed,
we
will
receive
valuable
information
about
the
nature
of
the
enemy.
If
you
don't
succeed,
if
you
are
captured,
your
attempt
will
be
considered
the
action
of
an
individual
rather
than
a
group.
We
will
still
be
free
to
start
a
general
uprising
from
Omega."
"How
am
I
supposed
to
get
back
to
Earth?"
Barrent
asked.
"Do
you
have
a
starship
hidden
away
somewhere?"
"I'm
afraid
not.
We
plan
to
transport
you
to
Earth
aboard
the
next
prison
ship."
"That's
impossible."
"Not
at
all.
We've
studied
the
landings.
They
follow
a
pattern.
The
prisoners
are
marched
out,
accompanied
by
the
guards.
While
they're
assembled
in
the
square,
the
ship
itself
is
undefended,
although
loosely
surrounded
by
a
cordon
of
guards.
To
get
you
aboard,
we
will
start
a
disturbance.
It
should
take
away
the
guards'
attention
long
enough
for
you
to
get
on
board."
"Even
if
I
succeed,
I'll
be
captured
as
soon
as
the
guards
return."
"You
shouldn't
be,"
Eylan
said,
"The
prison
ship
is
an
immense
structure
with
many
hiding
places
for
a
stowaway.
And
the
element
of
surprise
will
be
in
your
favor.
This
may
be
the
first
time
in
the
history
of
Omega
that
an
escape
has
been
attempted."
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
