_First he had to know what he was,
then who he was and why he was--but
who was relying on the answers?_
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Worlds of If Science Fiction, November 1960.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
He opened his eyes. He couldn't remember having ever seen humans
before, but he recognized them instantly. Nor could he remember having
seen anything before, yet he felt a warm familiarity with all that fell
into view--the light panels set flush with the ceiling, the gleaming
laboratory paraphernalia erected around the table on which he lay,
electronic scanners probing his mind with invisible beams--but, most of
all, the two men in white lab coats bending over him.
"Clench your fingers," ordered the shorter of the two humans.
Muscles tightened. Fingers clenched.
"Blink your eyes."
A quick reflex action.