At some point, it should be understood that the silly stories with surprise endings are the ones I wrote when I was young.
Science Officer Harris made his report directly to Lieutenant Morgan: “I have that recheck you wanted, sir. Everything is exactly as I said at first,” and then more officially — “On behalf of the science department, I request that you give permission to reroute this expedition.”
But the lieutenant had already made his decision based on the previous report. “Do whatever you think is right, Officer Harris, and I’ll take full responsibility.”
“Yes, sir!”
If this decision turns out for the better, the lieutenant thought, I’ll get a promotion. And if it doesn’t, I’ll have saved time waiting for an answer. So either way, I’m set.
The original mission had been to investigate the possibility of life on planet Peregrin — named after the founder and commander of this expedition, Walter G. Peregrin. But now it seemed, after much careful testing and observation, that the next planet toward this sun had an infinitely better chance of having life — and thus a much better chance of intelligent life. The reason Peregrin was chosen was because a scout ship, nearly three years ago, had examined the planet — but had not detected this new planet because they had been on opposite sides of the sun at that time.
This new planet had conditions so close to their home planet it was unbelievable, but so as not to startle the natives (if there were any) they would not land — but would teleport two specimens up to the ship to bring back home. So the ship began its preparations…
The science department created a device which could measure learning capability. They reasoned that a specimen with great learning capability would have picked up a great deal of useful knowledge throughout its lifetime.
The day had come. Two specimens were picked up — and the expedition headed home.
Several months later, the expedition arrived back at their home planet — disillusioned. Their specimens had refused to cooperate, and had only given them trouble. Plus, the specimens had died shortly after their arrival on board the ship. This raised serious doubts, akin to fears, these people had had for many years — whether or not they themselves were the only truly intelligent race in the universe. Nevertheless on the expeditioners home planet, Partesiss, that day of contact would be remembered as the first (and possibly last) attempt to contact an intelligent race. But several months voyage away, on Earth, the day would be remembered as the day two infants disappeared from St. Joseph’s Hospital maternity ward.