Turning Point

By Alfred Coppel

The man is rare who will give his life for what is merely the lesser of two evils. Merrick’s decision was even tougher: to save human beings at the expense of humanity, or vice versa?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wilder Publications, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781515411819

Alfred Coppel

Alfred Coppel (1921-2004) was an American author and writer of science fiction and historical fiction. He was born in New York City and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, where he flew 150 combat missions as a navigator and bombardier. After the war, Coppel pursued a career in writing and published his first short story in 1947. He went on to write over 40 novels and numerous short stories, many of which were published in science fiction magazines such as Galaxy and Astounding Science Fiction. Coppel's work often explored themes of war, politics, and the human condition. Some of his notable works include "The Burning Mountain," "The Hills of Home," and "The Glory Boys." He also wrote several historical novels under the pseudonym Robert Cham Gilman. Throughout his career, Coppel received several awards for his writing, including the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Short Story in 1955. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 82.

Book preview

Turning Point

by Alfred Coppel

© 2016 Positronic Publishing

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Positronic Publishing

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ISBN 13: 978-1-5154-1181-9

First Positronic Publishing Edition

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Turning Point

by Alfred Coppel

The man is rare who will give his life for what is merely the lesser of two evils. Merrick’s decision was even tougher: to save human beings at the expense of humanity, or vice versa?

This, then, was the Creche, Anno Domini 2500. A great, mile-square blind cube topping a ragged mountain; bare escarpments falling away to a turbulent sea. For five centuries the Creche had stood so, and the Androids had come forth in an unending stream to labor for Man, the Master . . . .

—Quintus Bland, The Romance of Genus Homo.

Director Han Merrick paced the floor nervously. His thin, almost ascetic face was pale and drawn.

We can’t allow it, Virginia, he said, Prying of this sort can only precipitate a pogrom or worse. Erikson is a bigot of the worst kind. The danger— He broke off helplessly.

His wife shook her head slowly. "It cannot be prevented, Han. Someone was bound to start asking questions sooner or later. History should have taught us that. And five hundred years of secrecy was more than anyone had