SLAVE PLANET
A Science Fiction Novel by
LAURENCE JANIFER
PYRAMID BOOKSNEW YORK
SLAVE PLANET
A PYRAMID BOOK
First printing, March 1963
This book is fiction. No resemblance is intended between
any character herein and any person, living or dead,
any such resemblance it purely coincidental.
Copyright 1963, by Pyramid Publications, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Pyramid Books are published by Pyramid Publications, Inc.
444 Madison Avenue, New York 22, New York, U.S.A.
[Transcriber's Note: Extensive research did not uncover any
evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
This moral tale is dedicated
To Philip Klass
Who will probably find it disagreeable
But who will think about it:
An occupation as cheering to the writer
As it is rare in the world.
Fruyling's World
... rich in the metals that kept the Terran Confederation going—onevital link in a galaxy-wide civilization. But the men of Fruyling'sWorld lived on borrowed time, knowing that slavery was outlawedthroughout the Confederation—and that only the slave labor of thereptilian natives could produce the precious metals the Confederationneeded!
As the first hints of the truth about Fruyling's World emerge, thetension becomes unbearable—to be resolved only in the shatteringclimax of this fast-paced, thought-provoking story of one of today'smost original young writers.
"On Saturday, July 30, Dr. Johnson and I took a sculler at theTemple-stairs, and set out for Greenwich. I asked him if he reallythought a knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages an essentialrequisite to a good education. JOHNSON. 'Most certainly, Sir; forthose who know them have a very great advantage over those who do not.Nay, Sir, it is wonderful what a difference learning makes upon peopleeven in the common intercourse of life, which does not appear to bemuch connected with it.' 'And yet, (said I) people go through theworld very well, and carry on the business of life to good advantage,without learning.' JOHNSON. 'Why, Sir, that may be true in cases wherelearning cannot possibly be of any use; for instance, this boy rowsus as well without learning, as if he could sing the song of Orpheusto the Argonauts, who were the first sailors.' He then called to theboy, 'What would you give my lad, to know about the Argonauts?' 'Sir,(said the boy) I would give what I have.' Johnson was much pleased withhis answer, and we gave him a double fare. Dr. Johnson then turning tome, 'Sir, (said he) a desire of knowledge is the natural feeling ofmankind; and every human being, whose mind is not debauched, will bewilling to give all that he has, to get knowledge.'"
—James Boswell,
The Life of Samuel Johnson, L. L. D.
"It has become a common catchword that slavery is the product of anagricultural society and cannot exist in the contemporary, mechanizedworld. Like so many catchwords, this one is recognizable as nonsenseas soon as it is closely examined. Given that the upkeep of the slavesis less than the price of full automation (and its upkeep), I donot think we shall prove ourselves morally so very superior to ourgrandfathers."
—H. D. Abel,
Essays in History and Causation
CONTENTS