Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from the March 1953 issue of Galaxy. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
STUDENT BODY
By F. L. WALLACE
Illustrated by ASHMAN
When a really infallible scientific bureau makes adrastically serious error, the data must be wrong ... butwrong in what way?
he first morning that they were fully committed to the planet, theexecutive officer stepped out of the ship. It was not quite dawn.Executive Hafner squinted in the early light; his eyes opened wider,and he promptly went back inside. Three minutes later, he reappearedwith the biologist in tow.
"Last night you said there was nothing dangerous," said the executive."Do you still think it's so?"
Dano Marin stared. "I do." What his voice lacked in conviction, itmade up in embarrassment. He laughed uncertainly.
"This is no laughing matter. I'll talk to you later."
The biologist stood by the ship and watched as the executive walked tothe row of sleeping colonists.
"Mrs. Athyl," said the executive as he stopped beside the sleepingfigure.
She yawned, rubbed her eyes, rolled over, and stood up. The coveringthat should have been there, however, wasn't. Neither was the garmentshe had on when she had gone to sleep. She assumed the conventionalposition of a woman who is astonished to find herself unclad withouther knowledge or consent.
"It's all right, Mrs. Athyl. I'm not a voyeur myself. Still, I thinkyou should get some clothing on." Most of the colonists were awakenow. Executive Hafner turned to them. "If you haven't any suitableclothing in the ship, the commissary will issue you some. Explanationswill be given later."
The colonists scattered. There was no compulsive modesty among them,for it couldn't have survived a year and a half in crowded spaceships.Nevertheless, it was a shock to awaken with no clothing on and notknow who or what had removed it during the night. It was surprise morethan anything else that disconcerted them.
On his way back to the spaceship, Executive Hafner paused. "Any ideasabout it?"
Dano Marin shrugged. "How could I have? The planet is as new to me asit is to you."
"Sure. But you're the biologist."
As the only scientist in a crew of rough-and-ready colonists andbuilders, Marin was going to be called on to answer a lot of questionsthat weren't in his field.
"Nocturnal insects, most likely," he suggested. That was pretty weak,though he knew that in ancient times locusts had stripped fields in amatter of hours. Could they do the same with the clothing of humansand not awaken them? "I'll look into the matter. As soon as I findanything, I'll let you know."
"Good." Hafner nodded and went into the spaceship.
ano Marin walked to the grove in which the colonists had beensleeping. It had been a mistake to let them bed down there, but at thetime the request had been made, there had seemed no reason not togrant it. After eighteen months in crowded ships everyone naturallywanted fresh air and the rustle of leaves o