Beta Model (Matt Mason)

[Grognardsw]

“The animals have no eyes or ears or nose. The birds were far away when drawn. The tree creatures are trees. When you sang you were not focusing on them…”

Any guesses on the planet’s lifeform means of sensing each other?

As Mason continued to sing, his mind plumbing his childhood memory for the words, the trees dispersed.

[jemmus]

Orthodox science denies that psychic abilities exist, because they can't be clinical proven. Yet, because something can't be proven-- through current existing methods-- doesn't necessary mean that it doesn't exist. Humans can sense when someone is looking at them and focusing their attention on them, even if the person is behind them and completely silent. Maybe the lifeforms here have a similar ability. If another being's attention is put on them, they sense it and react. Like when I-- we-- noticed the birds and the trees. And when we shifted our attention to the approaching trees, the birds dispersed.

[Grognardsw]

“I think you have it!” the Derg said. “I arrived at a similar conclusion. Your singing occupied your mind. You no longer single-mindedly focused on the trees, and they departed.”

The day passed by uneventfully after that. Mason gathered berries, nuts and water that the Derg confirmed safe. A few more predators appeared, but Mason resolutely thought of other things and the animals lost track of the astronaut.

A week passed. A rescue ship arrived. During the journey home, they passed through an unidentified energy cloud.

“Good bye Matt! Stay safe!” the Valedusian Derg said as he dissipated from Mason’s mind.

Mason returned home. Due to the time dilation effect, 300 years had gone by. Everyone Mason knew was long dead. Earth was doing surprisingly well.

The Valedusian Derg was taken from the short story “Protection” by Robert Sheckley, adapted for radio on X Minus One, Oct. 3, 1956, which you can listen to free here: https://www.radioechoes.com/?page=play_ ... 10.16%20MB

It was interesting to compare Mason’s reactions to the story protagonist. The end of the story didn’t translate into a game version.

The planet was inspired by a Robert Sheckley short story called “The Odor of Thought,” in the collection The People Trap. It took Mason longer to figure things out Thanks for playing with Mason!

[jemmus]

Poor Bob lesnerized. Very nice how you adapted the story to a space pilot Mason adventure and merged it into another story. Thanks for the Major Matt Mason adventures! Really unique, entertaining, and always really fun along the way.