human
Our destination, he said,
gpt
Hardly familiar, I admitted, smiling at Correy.
human
The universe is rather sizable, and even the named bodies are so numerous that one is able to be familiar with but an exceedingly small percentage. Its designation, of course, gives me certain information regarding its size, location and status, however.
gpt
How much information, Commander?
human
Well, 'F' indicates that it is large; larger than Earth, for example. The numerals tells me where to locate it upon our space charts. And the 'X' would indicate that it is inhabited, but not by intelligent beings. Or that there is reasonable doubt as to the nature of those inhabiting it.
gpt
A very good summary of the knowledge we have, nodded Inverness approvingly.
human
I can add but one bit of information which may or may not be accurate: that the sphere known as FX-31 is populated by a ruling class decidedly unusual in type, and possessed of a degree of intelligence which has made them virtual masters of the sphere.
gpt
What are they like? asked Correy.
human
Will they put up a fight? Are they dangerous?
gpt
Our knowledge came from a luckless tramp liner which set down on FX-31 in search of water, their water-producing equipment having been damaged by carelessness. They found water, a great river of it, and sent a party of five men to determine its fitness for human consumption. They were snapped up before they had gone a hundred feet from the ship--and no more men were sent out. They hovered over the stream and drew up the water in containers devised for the purpose.
human
Snapped up? asked Correy impatiently.
gpt
By whom? Or what?
human
By spiders! replied Inverness, his eyes shining with the fanatical gleam of a scientist who scents something strange.
gpt
Great spiders--perhaps not true spiders, but akin to them, from the descriptions we have--of what is known on Earth as the trap-door variety, but possessed of a high degree of intelligence, the power of communication, and definitely organized.
human
Organized, put in Tipene,
gpt
You say they are large, I commented.
human
How large?
gpt
Large enough, said Inverness grimly,
human
If there's anything I hate, he gritted,
gpt
I'm afraid not, Mr. Correy, said Inverness, shaking his head.
human
We're going to study them--not to exterminate them. Our object is to learn their history, their customs, their mode of communication, and their degree of intelligence--if possible.
gpt
Yes, grunted Brady.
human
If possible.