Captain Future 26 - Earthmen No More (March 1951) by Edmond Hamilton Page A

year’s work almost thrown away,” agreed Roger Newton. He gestured toward the robot. “Grag’s body was much less trouble. I sometimes wonder why we decided to make this android of colloid, instead of metal.”
    “Because it was a challenge to our skill,” replied Simon thoughtfully. “The search for the proper sort of plastic alone required months... Remember how we made the mistake of attempting to use protein-like condensation products?”
    “Only to discover eventually that a simple hydro-silicane polymer was easier to make and more satisfactory.”
     
    BRAIN PROVES TROUBLESOME
    “And then the brain.” Simon Wright shook his head ruefully. “It took us another month to realize that a terrifically complicated system of synthetic cerebral paths, such as Grag has, not only wasn’t necessary — it wouldn’t do. A plastic android requires a much less differentiated mass of combined carbon-silicon condensation product. The cerebral paths must be formed after life has begun, and not before.”
    Grag interposed. “Does that mean, Master, that this new thing will be born with no more sense than a baby — like little Curt?” he inquired.
     
    NO PROPHETS HERE!
    No more sense than “little Curt.” Years later, the robot was to recall this remark, and think of it in wonder. Neither he nor any of the others dreamed of the Curt Newton of the future — the tall, sturdy keen-eyed figure that would be the terror of criminals throughout the System, the brilliant scientist whose mind would absorb all that the Brain could impart, and even surpass his teacher in the magnificence of his achievements. “Little Curt” indeed!
    “That’s right,” answered Simon Wright. “He’ll be born without knowledge of any kind.”
    “He’ll make a nice pet,” boomed the great robot. Roger Newton smiled, and left the laboratory. Grag, it seemed, had delusions.
    In the part of the Moon-home set aside for the daily routine of living, Roger Newton found his young wife.
    She was staring out of one of the glassite windows at the bleak lunar landscape. In the distance, a moon-wolf was snarling soundlessly at some unseen rival cowering in a crater.
     
    MOONSCAPE IS FANTASTIC
    No land on Earth, no matter how wild and craggy, could possess the fascinating horror of the fantastic hills and mountains of the Moon. It was a horror that, for strangers, was to persist even long after the Futuremen had built their improved laboratory, and come to regard the forbidding spot as their permanent home. For a young girl, accustomed to the comforts of Earth civilization, and forced to flee for life from powerful and evil enemies, its desolation was almost unendurable.
    As Roger Newton joined her, the moon-wolf sprang with bared teeth into the crater. The girl shuddered.
    “Now they’re tearing each other apart, as happens every day. Oh, Roger, it’s so frightening.”
    “I know.” The scientist stroked her hair. “We’ve been here for more than a year now, and after the novelty wore off, it can’t have been pleasant for you. The loneliness, the lack of amusements, the lack of companionship... Simon and I are so busy in the laboratory that for most of the day we might just as well not be here. But it’s necessary to stay on the Moon, dear. We have no choice.”
    “I’m not complaining, Roger.”
     
    SEEK FOR COMPANIONS
    “As a matter of fact,” went on her husband thoughtfully, “I’ve felt the loneliness here almost as much as you have. Simon, of course, is so wrapped up in the work that it matters little to him where he is. But I had hoped, when he created Grag, that he might seem almost like a companion.”
    She shook her head.
    “His appearance is too frightening. No matter how human he is inside, I can’t accustom myself to him.”
    “I think you’ll find the android looks human enough. And I believe that you’ll like him.”
    A few days later, Otho was finally born. In contrast to the dramatic and almost terrifying awakening