Test Problem

Jeremy knew he was in danger of flunking his final course and that meant a washout. But he sat down before the panel and concentrated. The problem was one of mind over matter—three parsecs of space away!
When he came to the head of the examination corridor, Jeremy glanced briefly at the slip of paper in his hand. Room 16B. He strode unhesitatingly down the long hall; his long legs carrying him along swiftly. After six years at the University, he knew the exact location of the tiny testing cubicle which had been assigned to him for his final exam in Advanced Deliberation And Memory.
He hesitated a moment before the door of 16B, shook his head as if in defiance, then entered the room. He was in for a tough time and he knew it. The classes he had cut were sure to affect his chances of passing the test and he needed the course credits for graduation.
Taking the course record card from his pocket, he slipped it into the machine that would automatically record his mark at the close of the test.
Then he settled his long frame into the seat placed conveniently in front of the panels of dials and the computing machines which filled one entire side of the room. Checking to make sure that everything he might need was in place, he reached out and snapped the switch marked—INSTRUCTIONS.
You are ready, Student Hovah? The voice came gently from a hidden loudspeaker.
Yes, Instructor.
Then listen to your orders. You have been alloted sector 2645 of space in parsec three.
In the next ten minutes we shall transmit a detailed study of a star system to you. Using only the raw materials of space and the mental techniques taught you in your studies, you will reproduce a reasonable facsimile of the system in the space sector you have been assigned. Have you any questions?
How complete a facsimile must it be, Instructor?
It must be reasonably correct as to physical makeup. All life forms must also be reproduced.
I am ready.

Alan J. Ramm
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О книге

Язык

Английский

Год издания

2021-08-25

Темы

Science fiction; Short stories; Creation -- Fiction

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