“Form” is a classic science fiction short story by Robert Sheckley . It was first published in November 1953 in the journal Galaxy Science Fiction .
| The form (Expedition from Glom) | |
|---|---|
| Shape Keep your shape | |
| Genre | story |
| Author | Robert Sheckley |
| Original language | English |
| Date of first publication | 1953 |
Story
The twenty-first expedition was sent to planet Earth from the planet Glom, the purpose of which is to establish a converter that will allow you to move countless troops and capture this planet. Pid, a pilot from the distant planet Glom, was torn between duty and desire. There, on Glom, there is a caste system that prescribes strict adherence to the forms in which representatives of one or another caste can exist. And here is freedom of choice.
The purpose of the expedition was a certain atomic object . However, shortly after landing, a strike begins on the team. The leader of the expedition, pilot Pid, is unable to force the other two team members (navigator and mechanic) to follow the goal. One of them escapes at the first night, takes the form of an oak tree and deals with questions of philosophy, the second, upon penetration, takes the form of a dog and runs away with a pack of dogs. Pid, changing forms, almost reaches the reactor , but in the window of the protective compartment he notices a bird. Being a pilot in spirit, he sees in it a form of existence that is independent of technology.
When security nevertheless bursts into the compartment, they find no one there. They see only an unusual bird flying away from the station.
Miscellaneous
The work was voiced in the framework of the project “ Model for assembly ”.
Links
- List of publications of the work “Form (story)” in ISFDB (English)
- Information about the story “Form” on the website “ Fantasy Laboratory ”