SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST A NOVELET By Gene L. Henderson They weren't robots, even though people called them that; they were androids and they wanted to be treated as rational beings. What?--screamed humans--treat machines as equals? Even if the "survival of the fittest" theory (grafted onto Darwinism by popularizers) is a good one, it's still a matter of hindsight, and not a case of deciding in advance which or who ought to survive. However, does this stump our hero, our indefatigable human being? The answer is a hearty, if somewhat delusionary, NO! Whether it's America, Russia, China, Lower Slobovia, it's just plain understood that "we are the most fit to survive; therefore we will!" [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Science Fiction Quarterly November 1951. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Don stepped into the small inner laboratory and closed the door quickly, unseen latches automatically clicking into place and a low hum denoting that the lethal field on the other side would burn any non-metallic object entering its range to a crisp. He turned wonderingly to the three men watching him. Dr. Stone, his superior, a tall, stooped figure dejectedly standing to one side, hands clasped behind him. The other two were strangers, one an Army general and the other, by far the most cheerful in appearance, nattily attired in a trim business suit. "I'm sorry that I took so long," he apologized to Stone. "I've been examining some of the records found in the caves uncovered in Mexico, sir." "What's this about caves?" demanded the General, a scowl on his heavy-jowled face. Dr. Stone turned from the eager Don to explain politely. "We have a team digging in ancient ruins in Mexico, General. They've uncovered perfectly sealed caves and tunnels that we at first thought were Incan. However, it has since been found that they are lined with an alloy which has proven impervious to any type radiation. That, plus the fact that printed records are now being upturned, points to a superior science." "Were any weapons or machines uncovered?" the military man asked, avidly. "None. Our men are carefully sifting a history, however, after finding several mysterious references to a death ray against which no defense existed." The doctor turned to Don again and asked, "Are the protoplasm tanks all right?" "Yes sir. Several of the roboes are watching now. Sometimes I think that they know as much about it as I do." The general swelled up and opened tight-pressed lips but his companion held up a hand, smiling at Dr. Stone. The latter cleared his throat, frowning as he said, "You may be more right than you think, Donald."