Produced by Greg Weeks, Karina Aleksandrova and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net [Transcriber's Notes: 1. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the copyright on this publication was renewed. 2. Several misprints corrected. The complete list may be found at the end of the file.] "Yes sir. Well, there are three men outside trying to kill me...." "Quite right," Mr. Frendlyer said. "And today is Landing Day. You came off the ship that landed today, and have been classified a peon.... I'm happy to say that everything is in order. The Landing Day Hunt ends at sundown. You can leave here with the knowledge that everything is correct and that your rights have not been violated." "Leave here? After sundown, you mean." Mr. Frendlyer shook his head and smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not. According to the law you must leave here at once." "But they'll kill me!" "That's very true. Unfortunately it can't be helped. A victim by definition is one who is to be killed.... We protect rights, not victims." OMEGA: PRISON PLANET LIFE EXPECTANCY: THREE YEARS MAXIMUM MOST PEOPLE ARE LUCKIER THAN THAT.... Books by ROBERT SHECKLEY: CITIZEN IN SPACE IMMORTALITY, INC. MINDSWAP PILGRIMAGE TO EARTH THE 10TH VICTIM UNTOUCHED BY HUMAN HANDS DIMENSION OF MIRACLES THE JOURNEY OF JOENES THE STATUS CIVILIZATION/NOTIONS: UNLIMITED _From ACE Science Fiction_ THE STATUS CIVILIZATION ROBERT SHECKLEY ace books A Division of Charter Communications Inc. A GROSSET & DUNLAP COMPANY 360 Park Avenue South New York, New York 10010 THE STATUS CIVILIZATION Copyright (C) 1960 by Robert Sheckley First appeared under the title _Omega in Amazing Science Fiction Stories_, published by Ziff-Davis. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without permission in writing from the publisher. All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. An ACE Book _Cover art by David Bergen_ First Ace printing: November 1979 2468097531 Manufactured in the United States of America CONTENTS THE STATUS CIVILIZATION 1 TO ANYA THE STATUS CIVILIZATION Chapter One