HOT PLANET

By HAL CLEMENT

Illustrated by FINLAY

[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Galaxy Magazine August 1963.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

Mercury had no atmosphere—everyone knew
that. Why was it developing one now?

The wind which had nearly turned the Albireo's landing into a disaster instead of a mathematical exercise was still playing tunes about the fins and landing legs as Schlossberg made his way down to Deck Five.