02760cam a22003973u 4500 59516 UtSlPG 20260610134354.0 m cr n 260607r2019||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Stearns, Charles A. The Scamperers Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2019 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, June 1956 Release date is 2019-05-15 Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "The Scamperers" by Charles A. Stearns is a science fiction novella published during the mid-20th century. Set on the alien planet Ophir, the story revolves around Lieutenant Wellesley, a member of the Rift constabulary tasked with investigating potential genetic deviations within a small, isolated colony. The primary topic delves into themes of genetic inheritance, the implications of inbreeding, and the existence of mutants as Wellesley uncovers the unsettling truths of the community he is sent to examine. The narrative follows Wellesley's arrival at Aidennsport, where he confronts the hostile environment and the peculiar inhabitants. As he conducts his census, he encounters a mysterious girl who warns him of the dangers lurking in the village. After battling poison from hist stingbats and becoming blind, Wellesley is aided by this girl, ultimately discovering that she is a mutant. Tension escalates as Wellesley learns about the complexities of the Ophirian society, which includes a boy named Joseph and his peculiar family connections. The climax unfolds with Wellesley's forced decision to take the girl away for her protection, leading to an impactful resolution that exposes the darker undercurrents of Aidennsport while raising questions about identity and belonging. The story ultimately examines the balance between law and justice in a world where survival and ethics become inextricably linked. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Short stories Police -- Fiction Space colonies -- Fiction Extrasolar planets -- Fiction Mutation (Biology) -- Fiction Orban, Paul, 1896-1974 Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, June 1956 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/59516 100342 100342