The Creatures of Man
 NOT
ONLY STRANGER THAN YOU IMAGINE, STRANGER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE
In a distant future when humans no longer need spaceships, but hurtle
between the stars faster than light, propelled and protected by implants
in their bodies, the galaxy has been divided between two battling factions
who contend for dominance by economic maneuvering. Each side is determined
to overwhelm the other, and is likely to abandon the "Econo-War" for a
genuine shooting war if it thinks that defeat is imminent. Only one thing
can avert the looming disaster: a talisman of great, almost supernatural
power which has been lost for millennia on a minor world called Earth.
Here, The Econo-War is collected in one continuous novel-length narrative
for the first time, along with other dazzling visions of future worlds: A
planet where well-meaning busybodies from Earth try to "cure" the
inhabitants of their craving for the exotic drug chocolate ... another
planet where insects dimly recall myths of the humans who gave them
intelligence before departing for the stars, and wonder if the strange
creatures will ever return ... a brilliant concert pianist whose twin is
the target of an inexplicable assassination plot which he must
foil—because he and his "twin" share the same brain ... an intelligent
weapon which was instructed billions of years ago to obliterate a race,
but whose mission was frustrated by a slight malfunction—until now . . .
and much more by a unique and original master of science fiction
adventure.
"In the 1960s, Myers' stories came pouring out—almost every one of them
excellent, ranging from the chilling to some of the wittiest science
fiction stones ever written." —Eric Flint and Guy Gordon
Publisher's Note: Among insiders, Baen Books has become quite
renowned for its penchant for "rediscovering" great SF, and Eric Flint has
become famous for compiling and editing old greats. You probably haven't
met "Verge Foray" (pen-name of Howard L. Myers) before. Well, lucky you;
this is your chance to test out Baen's reputation, and Eric's, plus you
have a pretty good shot at several hours of solid, edifying entertainment.
—Jim Baen
Cover Art by Bob Eggleton
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 Trade
Paperback This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.
First printing, May 2003
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Myers, Howard L., 1930-1971.
The creatures of man / by Howard L. Myers ; edited by Eric Flint and Guy Gordon.
p. cm.
ISBN 0-7434-3607-5 (trade pb.)
1. Life on other planets—Fiction. 2. Space colonies—Fiction. 3. Space warfare—Fiction.
I. Flint, Eric. II. Gordon, Guy, 1951- III. Title.
PS3563.Y394C74 2003
813'.54—dc21
2003041679
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Production by Windhaven Press, Auburn, NH
Printed in the United States of America
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ISBN-13: 978-0-7434-3607-6
ISBN-10: 0-7434-3607-5
Copyright © 2003 by Howard L. Myers
"Partner" was first published in Analog in June, 1968, under the title "Duplex" (writing as "Verge Foray"). "The Creatures of Man" was first published in IF in May, 1968 (writing as "Verge Foray"). "All Around the Universe" was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in January, 1972. "Health Hazard" was first published in Analog in June, 1973. "Practice" was first published in Analog in March, 1968 (writing as "Verge Foray"). "Lost Calling" was first published in Analog in September, 1967 (writing as "Verge Foray"). "The Other Way Around" was first published in Infinity 2 in 1971. "The Reluctant Weapon" was first published in Galaxy in December, 1952. "Out, Wit!" was first published in Analog in June, 1972. "Fit for a Dog" was first published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction in September, 1971. "Psychovore" was first published in Fantastic in June, 1970. "The Earth of Nenkunal" was first published in Fantastic in January, 1974. "Forever Enemy" was first published in Analog in December, 1970. "Heavy Thinker" was first published in Analog in August, 1970. "War in Our Time" was first published in Analog in March, 1972. "Misinformation" was first published in Analog in April, 1972. "Little Game" was first published in Galaxy in June, 1974. "The Frontliners" was first published in Galaxy in July, 1974. "Questor" was first published in Amazing in January, 1970.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.
A Baen Books Original
Baen Publishing Enterprises
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471
www.baen.com
Electronic version by Baen Books
http://www.baen.com
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