02563cam a22003733u 4500 77718 UtSlPG 20260610134812.0 m cr n 260607r20261955utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Merwin, Sam, Jr., 1910-1996 Final exam Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2026 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Fantastic Universe, November 1955 (Vol. 4, No. 4.). Release date is 2026-01-16 Tom Trussel (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) Final exam by Jr. Sam Merwin is a science fiction short story written in the mid-20th century. It likely centers on first contact through UFO sightings as a catalyst for a moral and political test of humanity’s readiness to join a wider galactic community. A national leader at a secret Midwestern retreat refuses to hide when a formation of mysterious lights—solid craft on radar—sweep in overhead. After witnessing one up close, he seeks counsel from his trusted friend Harlan, a serene astrophysicist who reveals he is part of a quiet, long-term alien mission: embedded advisors placed among Earth’s power centers to help humanity survive its volatile early atomic era. The arriving “flying saucers” are not invaders but transports to retrieve these mentors, leaving humans to face their “final exam” unaided. Returning home, the leader discovers his beloved wife has also departed—she, too, was one of them. Shaken but resolute, he watches a ship lift off and then resolves to unite his counterparts worldwide to guide their people through the looming trial, trusting that love and shared purpose will be enough to prevent catastrophe and earn a place among the stars. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: New York: King-Size Publications, Inc., 1955 Science fiction Short stories Unidentified flying objects -- Fiction Hunter, Mel, 1927-2004 Produced from Fantastic Universe, November 1955 (Vol. 4, No. 4.). https://archive.org/details/Fantastic_Universe_v04n04_1955-11/page/n3/mode/2up https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77718 118438 118438