Invasion of the Animal People

Apload By Adil Qatine

The main functions of science can be termed as primarily

comprehension and control.

The comprehension is sometimes merely that of the physical,

but more often it deals with a universal force

that affects the lives of each one of us.

We know that the vast spaces surrounding our planet

are teeming with micro-meteors and radiation

that originate from the stars and the distant galaxies.

Strange, little-understood phenomena

have been observed in the depths of our oceans

and deep within the mass that underlies the crust

of this globe upon which we live.

With the help of instruments

and the accepted natural mathematical laws,

we have been able to expand our comprehension

but to a small degree.

Man has learned that life is everywhere,

and although we are part of it,

it seems the thing we understand the least.

The great mysteries we seek to unlock

could be no more manifest than within our own being.

Actually our quest for comprehension

is perhaps most complicated

by the failure to discover reality

within ourselves.

If we're unable to see the woods because of the threes,

if we fail first truly to comprehend,

then it follows

that there can be no chance for any type of control.

Today we are groping out into space,

preparing to invade the incomprehensible universe

which has held its many secrets since the beginning.

The beginning?

We're not at all sure that that term or any other

can actually relate to transitions such as

gases solidifying to form a planet

which would eventually support living inhabitants.

What we view as the beginning or the end of something

is clouded by the limitations of the mind machine itself.

Now if that mind machine had the power

to conceive properly of the additional dimension of time,

our measurements of it would cease.

Man would see the Earth,

the stars, the whole cosmic void as timeless.

Limitless.

When deeper comprehension is brought about

by evolutionary processes,

man's limitations in space will thus vanish.

You will easily be able to travel

from one planet to another,

from one galaxy to another.

The stream of knowledge evolution produces

will become a powerful force,

one easily able to conquer time itself

and the immeasurable distances of space.

Diane Wilson, average American girl

living in a suburban community.

She had never been known to be mentally ill

or behave in the erratic manner in which

the police patrol found her.

Chief of Police Arnold Johnson had been accustomed

to dealing with the many and varied situations

that often called for extensive professional assistance.

In this case he called upon the best qualified man he knew.

Dr. Ian Sabiri, MD and specialist in psychiatry.

The doctor had known Miss Wilson

throughout most of her years, and was very much disturbed

upon hearing of her present condition.

It was agreed he would leave at once for an attempt

to determine the cause of her unorthodox

and very sudden seizure.

Hello?

Miss Wilson, this is the desk clerk.

I was told to call if you received a wire

from your uncle in Zurich.

That's right.

The telegram just came in, Miss Wilson.

It reads "glad you arrived Langsford okay.

"Come Zurich to see your favorite uncle

"as soon as you can."

Thank you.

Goodbye.

Some miles to the north,

another skier was rapidly covering the distance

between the frozen wasteland

and the nearest spot of civilization,

only this excursion was not for pleasure.

A mission of desperate urgency was the driving force.

The native Laplanders had witnessed

something evil in the sky.

Reaching the desolate communications shack,

the messenger hurried to reach the telegraph operator

and tell him of what had been seen in the North.

A story that was relayed to the city

and ultimately the entire world.

In Zurich, Dr. Frederick Wilson,

Diane's uncle and world-famous geologist,

was summoned from his laboratory to report immediately

to a quickly formed group of outstanding personnel

presently available to expedite requests

by the Air Force command of the local area.

The second man called was Dr. Erik Engstrom,

also a geologist, and noted throughout Europe

as an outstanding leader in the past work

of dangerous glacier penetrations.

The plan was to investigate the area of the Lap village

under controlled conditions 24 hours a day

by a team composed of both scientific

and military personnel.

Doctors Engstrom and Wilson had not previously

had occasion to work together, but had for years

mutually respected the contributions provided by both.

Three would be expected to locate fragments of the meteor,

which due to reports of heavy avalanches

was assumed to have fallen in the vicinity

of the Lap village of Canoerly.

A plane was scheduled to take them immediately to Langsford,

which would represent their point of embarkation.

Lucky for us you were in Switzerland, Doctor.

Well, I think I'm the lucky one, Erik.

You know I've been chasing these things for 30 years.

The thrill of analyzing a fragment from another planet

gets more interesting each time.

I've been watching those boats down there, what are they?

Ore boats from the Canoerly mine.

You think that the magnetic attraction of the mines

could have any bearing on the meteor falling there?

Come on, Doctor.

Who said it had to be a meteor?

Are you the group from the Royal Academy?

That's right.

Colonel Bottiger's been assigned to your party.

He and the others are interrogating some Laps.

How soon can we see the colonel?

He asked me to take you directly to the flight office.

I have a staff car standing by, sir.

Thank you.

Never has the village lost a larger head of reindeer.

He says they ran off as chased by the devil.

He is sure something of great size caused the avalanche.

At this time of year, every snow pack in the area

is probably cracked.

The slightest vibration can start an avalanche.

- They know that, but they are convinced this one

has some connection with the meteor.

Ask him if he actually witnessed the meteor.

He says it passed right over his village.

How large was it?

He says the object came with a great roar,

a fireball as large as a mountain.

Well how accurate would you say his estimate of size is?

He's one of their elders, I'm sure he is trustworthy.

Colonel, the the plane is ready on the lake

with all the photographic equipment on board, sir.

We can take off anytime.

Very good, Sergeant.

I thought we would attempt to locate the site

before landing at Rick's Jarvey.

We leave as soon as you change your clothes.

Fine.

If we can get some good pictures

it'll eliminate a lot of guesswork.

- We'll leave your bags in the lobby and come back here

as soon as the pictures have developed.

Fine.

I hope you and the Sergeant can join us for dinner.

We'll be glad to.

I think our young geologist has made a discovery.

Yeah.

Wait till he finds out his discovery is my niece, Diane.

Now there's championship form,

with our without skates.

Scientific observation, no doubt.

Hello darling!

She knows me!

That so?

Isn't that funny?

Usually I never forget a pretty face.

Or a pair of pretty legs.

Scientific observation, no doubt.

Mhmm.

I better hurry, Doctor,

if I want to get some skiing before dinner.

Right.

Well.

Uncle Fred, gee I'm glad to see you.

Surprised, are you?

As a matter of fact, no.

After what's been happening up here,

I've been half expecting you.

Oh.

I'm glad too.

He?

Come on, Uncle Fred.

Oh, he.

Well, his name is Erik.

Erik Engstrom.

What was he doing with you,

and why didn't you introduce me?