Produced by Greg Weeks, Karina Aleksandrova and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
[Transcriber's Notes:
1. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the
copyright on this publication was renewed.
2. Several misprints corrected. The complete list may be found
at the end of the file.]
"Yes sir. Well, there are three men outside trying to kill me...."
"Quite right," Mr. Frendlyer said. "And today is Landing Day. You came
off the ship that landed today, and have been classified a peon.... I'm
happy to say that everything is in order. The Landing Day Hunt ends at
sundown. You can leave here with the knowledge that everything is
correct and that your rights have not been violated."
"Leave here? After sundown, you mean."
Mr. Frendlyer shook his head and smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not.
According to the law you must leave here at once."
"But they'll kill me!"
"That's very true. Unfortunately it can't be helped. A victim by
definition is one who is to be killed.... We protect rights, not
victims."
OMEGA: PRISON PLANET
LIFE EXPECTANCY: THREE YEARS
MAXIMUM
MOST PEOPLE ARE
LUCKIER THAN THAT....
Books by
ROBERT SHECKLEY:
CITIZEN IN SPACE
IMMORTALITY, INC.
MINDSWAP
PILGRIMAGE TO EARTH
THE 10TH VICTIM
UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS
DIMENSION OF MIRACLES
THE JOURNEY OF JOENES
THE STATUS CIVILIZATION/NOTIONS: UNLIMITED
_From ACE Science Fiction_
THE STATUS
CIVILIZATION
ROBERT SHECKLEY
ace books
A Division of Charter Communications Inc.
A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY
360 Park Avenue South
New York, New York 10010