02615cam a22003853u 4500 70158 UtSlPG 20260610134625.0 m cr n 260607r20231957utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Williams, Jay, 1914-1978 Beast of prey Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2023 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Astounding Science Fiction August 1957 Release date is 2023-02-27 Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "Beast of Prey" by Jay Williams is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. Set in a distant future on a strange planet, the narrative revolves around a team of scientists conducting an ecological survey who encounter a lethal predator that seems to attack its victims through a mysterious mental paralysis. This story explores themes of survival, nature, and the potential for intelligent life in unexpected forms. The plot follows the main character, Fenner, as he and his fellow researchers face a series of unexplained attacks leading to the incapacitation of their team members. Amid growing tension and fear, Fenner becomes determined to discover the nature of the lurking threat. Ultimately, he encounters an unusual creature—initially thought to be dangerous—that turns out to have the ability to nullify the effects of the predatory flowers causing the mental paralysis. Through this experience, Fenner realizes that the creature harbors an intelligent and protective instinct, suggesting a deeper evolutionary relationship between it and the flora of the planet. The story concludes with Fenner recognizing the creature’s capability for compassion, hinting at the complexities of interspecies connections in an alien ecosystem. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: United States: Street & Smith Publications, Inc., 1957 Science fiction Short stories Human-alien encounters -- Fiction Life on other planets -- Fiction Outer space -- Exploration -- Fiction Freas, Kelly, 1922-2005 Produced from Astounding Science Fiction August 1957 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/70158 110902 110902