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Table of Contents3 A Letter from 6 d 6 Fireball5 6 d 6 Lovecraft6 Paranoia7 Herbert West: Reanimator7 I. From The Dark10 II. The Plague-Daemon1 III. !i" !hots b# $oonlight16 I%. The !&ream o' the Dea(

1) %. The Horror From the !ha(o*s+1 %I. The Tomb-,egions

24 6 d 6 Bots+ ' $etal an( $emor# /hi s+ I' I nl# Ha( Heart+6 Phlegmati&2 /holeri&2 $etallurgi&+7 Wh# Do 3olts !u((enl# ear4+7 The ,5 !H+) The nleashe(+) The $ission an( ther Programmes0 Ha&king0 remlini8ation1 5arth 59ol9e(: e*est ;ork1 Fa&tor# Ro*

The Human Intro(u&tion> bout 6(6 Helleni&

=0 The o(s o' n&ient ree&e=0 /ham ions o' the o(s=1 o(s an( Their /ham ions=1 The Worl( o' n&ient ree&e

CreditsPublished by: 6(6 Fireballditorials: /hris Tregen8a!d! Lovecraft "ettin# $aterial: Patri&k ?ing!d! Bots "ettin# $aterial: 3en ,all#!d! Hellenic "ettin# $aterial: $ark Foster an(@ames Fosterditin#: n(re* !an(erson an( Renee Rit&hieLayout: Renee Rit&hie

Image Credits!d! Free Front %overRobot b# @oe White. /o9er (esign b# /hrisTregen8a

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6(6 $agi& a(9ert - Da9e( Re9o# 2 ntitle( DragonC+010

Rebel Flesh a(9ert - Design b# /hrisTregen8a. Religious s#mbols 9ia Wiki e(ia. !kull'rom the 3ro&khaus an( 5'ron 5n&lo e(i&Di&tionar# C1>07 &ourtes# o' Fli&kR user Double-$.

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/o9er art*ork - Henri Pierre Pi&ou2 AndromedaChained to a Rock C1)7= .

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Paranoia I n , o9 e& ra 't J s * or ks 2 u n&a ri nge n t i t i e s * i t h h u m a n i t # s ( e m i s e i nm i n ( a r e l e g i o n 2 a n ( t h e r e r e a l l #

a r e (a rk ' o r&es ou t to k il l th e& h ar a &t e rs . T h e & h ar a &t e rs s l o*s li i nto ar an oi a2 E us ti 'i e( o ro t h e r* i s e 2 i s a r e & u r r i n g t h e m e i n,o 9e&ra ' t s * r i t i ng2 an( th el a# e r s a n ( a me , e a( e r s h ou l (

( ra* u on th i s theme in the game .

F ro m t he s om br e m is tr u st o ' t he9 i l l age rs o ' Innsmouth to the

h aun ti ng r ese n&e o ' th e a li enbe as ts in Th e h i spere r i nDarkness 2 , o9e&ra ' t i anrotagon is ts &o ns tan t l# ' a&e

unseen (ange rs . /ons i ra&ies an (a n &i en t a li e n & ul ts e "i st a ro un (e 9e r # & or n er a n( i n a ll l e9 e ls o 'so&ie t#. I t i s no su r r i se theh e ro e s o ' , o 9e & ra ' tJ s ' i &t i on e n (u ( is tr us t' ul o ' t he ir s it ua ti on 2

t he ir & om a ni on s a n( t he ir o *nmin(s .

&as e in o in t i s th e t i tu la r&ha ra&te r in , e rb e r t e s t .Rean imato r . t ' ir st 2 We st & om esa & ro s s a s & o n' i (e n t2 * e ll - s o ke nan ( ( r i9e n2 bu t a s the s t o r#&on t inues an ( Wes t Js &r imesi n& re as e i n n um be r2 s o ( o es h isi r ra t iona l i t #. We s t be &ome so b s e ss e ( * i t h t h e i ( e a o ' s e & u r it #an ( sa ' e t# a s more an ( moreou t s i (e ' o r&es th rea ten h im.

I t i s u t o t h e a m e , e a ( e r 2 a st h e s t or # te l le r a n ( a n ta g o ni s t2 t obu il ( the a r anoi a a roun( theg a mi n g t a bl e . T h e l a #e r s s h ou l (' ee l t hr ea te n e( b # t he e 9e nt s i nt he g am e. , o9 e& ra 't i s a h or ro rga me2 a ' te r a l l2 an ( *oul ( besome*ha t oo re r 'o r a l a&k o 'a&tua l ho r ro r.

3r ingingaranoia

i nt o r ol e-la#ing

ga mes is( i ' ' i&ul t in some

*a#s2 b u t rema rkab l#e as # i n o th er s. T he9er# &on&e t o 'hor ro r ro le - l a# ings u g g es t s s o m eo ' the& h ar a &t e rs o re lements inthe gameha 9e the

la#er&hara&ters(e mise a th e ar t . ssu&h 2 al e9 el o 'mis t rus tGui&kl#be&omesse&on(

na tu re tomo s t hor ro rg a m e r s . t r u e s e n s e o ' a r a n o i ai s m u & h h a r ( e r t o b u i l ( 2 a s m o s tl a # e r s b e l i e 9 e t h e # h a 9 e a r e t t #

go o( i (e a o ' *h at i s g oi ng o n.Targe t #o ur l a#er s se l ' -a s su r a n& e t o r o( u & e t h e r o e rmo o( o ' a ra no ia2 an ( # ou *i llha 9e #our l a#e rs Eum ing a ts ha (o *s a n( m aki ng i r ra t io na l(e&is ions .

Th e r e 9 e l a t i o n t h a t t h e o u l a t i o no ' t h e s m a l l ' i s h i n g 9 i l l a g e o n t h e& oa st s er 9e s a ( ar k g o ( * il l n otsu r r i s e the l a#e rs . 3u t *hen thela #e rs ( is &o 9e r t ha t a t ru st e(

( o& to r i n t he h ea rt o ' a b ig & it #se r9es tha t ma l ign en t i t#2 the# * i l l

th in k t* i&e ab ou t 9 i si t in g an#( o& to r2 e s e& ia ll # i ' t he ( o& to rte l ls th em t he# must go un( ergene ra l anaes the t i&.

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Herbert West: Reanimator

)0 From he ar'' Herbert West2 *ho *as m# 'rien( in &ollege an(

in a'ter li'e2 I &an s eak onl# *ith e"treme terror.This terror is not (ue altogether to the sinistermanner o' his re&ent (isa earan&e2 but *asengen(ere( b# the *hole nature o' his li'e-*ork2an( 'irst gaine( its a&ute 'orm more thanse9enteen #ears ago2 *hen *e *ere in the thir(#ear o' our &ourse at the $iskatoni& ni9ersit#$e(i&al !&hool in rkham. While he *as *ith me2the *on(er an( (iabolism o' his e" eriments'as&inate( me utterl#2 an( I *as his &losest&om anion. o* that he is gone an( the s ell isbroken2 the a&tual 'ear is greater. $emories an(ossibilities are e9er more hi(eous than realities.

The 'irst horrible in&i(ent o' our a&Guaintan&e *asthe greatest sho&k I e9er e" erien&e(2 an( it isonl# *ith relu&tan&e that I re eat it. s I ha9e sai(2it ha ene( *hen *e *ere in the me(i&al s&hool

*here West ha( alrea(# ma(e himsel' notoriousthrough his *il( theories on the nature o' (eathan( the ossibilit# o' o9er&oming it arti'i&iall#. His9ie*s2 *hi&h *ere *i(el# ri(i&ule( b# the 'a&ult#an( b# his 'ello*-stu(ents2 hinge( on theessentiall# me&hanisti& nature o' li'eK an(&on&erne( means 'or o erating the organi&ma&hiner# o' mankin( b# &al&ulate( &hemi&ala&tion a'ter the 'ailure o' natural ro&esses. In hise" eriments *ith 9arious animating solutions2 heha( kille( an( treate( immense numbers o'rabbits2 guinea- igs2 &ats2 (ogs2 an( monke#s2 tillhe ha( be&ome the rime nuisan&e o' the &ollege.!e9eral times he ha( a&tuall# obtaine( signs o' li'ein animals su ose(l# (ea(K in man# &ases 9iolentsigns but he soon sa* that the er'e&tion o' hisro&ess2 i' in(ee( ossible2 *oul( ne&essaril#

in9ol9e a li'etime o' resear&h. It like*ise be&ame&lear that2 sin&e the same solution ne9er *orke(alike on (i''erent organi& s e&ies2 he *oul( reGuirehuman subEe&ts 'or 'urther an( more s e&ialise(rogress. It *as here that he 'irst &ame into

&on'li&t *ith the &ollege authorities2 an( *as

3# H.P. ,o9e&ra't.

Written Publishe( in 1>++2 'irst a earing in ,ome $re' . This *ork is in the ubli& (omain.

ditor s 6oteH. P. ,o9e&ra't li9e( an( *orke( o9er >0 #ears ago an( his *orks are aro(u&t o' (i''erent time2 an age *hen sla9er# *as still a re&ent memor#2segregation o&&urre( a&ross the ! an( *omen *ere onl# Eust gettingthe 9ote. /ertain elements o' his *orks2 notabl# his attitu(e to non-*hitesan( *omen2 re'le&t that time.

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(ebarre( 'rom 'uture e" eriments b# no less a(ignitar# than the (ean o' the me(i&al s&hoolhimsel' L the learne( an( bene9olent Dr. llanHalse#2 *hose *ork in behal' o' the stri&ken isre&alle( b# e9er# ol( resi(ent o' rkham. I ha(al*a#s been e"&e tionall# tolerant o' WestJsursuits2 an( *e 'reGuentl# (is&usse( his theories2

*hose rami'i&ations an( &orollaries *ere almost

in'inite. Hol(ing *ith Hae&kel that all li'e is a&hemi&al an( h#si&al ro&ess2 an( that the so-&alle( MsoulN is a m#th2 m# 'rien( belie9e( thatarti'i&ial reanimation o' the (ea( &an (e en( onl#on the &on(ition o' the tissuesK an( that unlessa&tual (e&om osition has set in2 a &or se 'ull#eGui e( *ith organs ma# *ith suitable measuresbe set going again in the e&uliar 'ashion kno*nas li'e. That the s#&hi& or intelle&tual li'e might beim aire( b# the slight (eterioration o' sensiti9ebrain-&ells *hi&h e9en a short erio( o' (eath

*oul( be a t to &ause2 West 'ull# realise(. It ha(

at 'irst been his ho e to 'in( a reagent *hi&h *oul( restore 9italit# be'ore the a&tual a(9ent o'(eath2 an( onl# re eate( 'ailures on animals ha(she*n him that the natural an( arti'i&ial li'e-motions *ere in&om atible. He then soughte"treme 'reshness in his s e&imens2 inEe&ting hissolutions into the bloo( imme(iatel# a'ter thee"tin&tion o' li'e. It *as this &ir&umstan&e *hi&hma(e the ro'essors so &arelessl# s&e ti&al2 'orthe# 'elt that true (eath ha( not o&&urre( in an#&ase. The# (i( not sto to 9ie* the matter &losel#an( reasoningl#.

It *as not long a'ter the 'a&ult# ha( inter(i&te( his *ork that West &on'i(e( to me his resolution to get'resh human bo(ies in some manner2 an( &ontinuein se&ret the e" eriments he &oul( no longerer'orm o enl#. To hear him (is&ussing *a#s an(means *as rather ghastl#2 'or at the &ollege *eha( ne9er ro&ure( anatomi&al s e&imensoursel9es. Whene9er the morgue ro9e(ina(eGuate2 t*o lo&al negroes atten(e( to thismatter2 an( the# *ere sel(om Guestione(. West

*as then a small2 slen(er2 s e&ta&le( #outh *ith

(eli&ate 'eatures2 #ello* hair2 ale blue e#es2 an(a so't 9oi&e2 an( it *as un&ann# to hear him(*elling on the relati9e merits o' /hrist&hur&h/emeter# an( the otterJs 'iel(. We 'inall# (e&i(e(on the otterJs 'iel(2 be&ause ra&ti&all# e9er#bo(# in /hrist&hur&h *as embalme(K a thing o'&ourse ruinous to WestJs resear&hes.

I *as b# this time his a&ti9e an( enthralle(assistant2 an( hel e( him make all his (e&isions2not onl# &on&erning the sour&e o' bo(ies but&on&erning a suitable la&e 'or our loathsome

*ork. It *as I *ho thought o' the (eserte(/ha man 'armhouse be#on( $ea(o* Hill2 *here *e 'itte( u on the groun( 'loor an o erating rooman( a laborator#2 ea&h *ith (ark &urtains to&on&eal our mi(night (oings. The la&e *as 'ar

'rom an# roa(2 an( in sight o' no other house2 #etre&autions *ere none the less ne&essar#K sin&erumours o' strange lights2 starte( b# &han&eno&turnal roamers2 *oul( soon bring (isaster onour enter rise. It *as agree( to &all the *holething a &hemi&al laborator# i' (is&o9er# shoul(o&&ur. ra(uall# *e eGui e( our sinister haunt o's&ien&e *ith materials either ur&hase( in 3oston

or Guietl# borro*e( 'rom the &ollege L materials&are'ull# ma(e unre&ognisable sa9e to e" ert e#esL an( ro9i(e( s a(es an( i&ks 'or the man#burials *e shoul( ha9e to make in the &ellar. t the&ollege *e use( an in&inerator2 but the a aratus

*as too &ostl# 'or our unauthorise( laborator#.3o(ies *ere al*a#s a nuisan&e L e9en the smallguinea- ig bo(ies 'rom the slight &lan(estinee" eriments in WestJs room at the boar(ing-house.

We 'ollo*e( the lo&al (eath-noti&es like ghouls2 'orour s e&imens (eman(e( arti&ular Gualities.What *e *ante( *ere &or ses interre( soon a'ter(eath an( *ithout arti'i&ial reser9ationK re'erabl#'ree 'rom mal'orming (isease2 an( &ertainl# *ithall organs resent. &&i(ent 9i&tims *ere our bestho e. ot 'or man# *eeks (i( *e hear o' an#thingsuitableK though *e talke( *ith morgue an(hos ital authorities2 ostensibl# in the &ollegeJsinterest2 as o'ten as *e &oul( *ithout e"&itingsus i&ion. We 'oun( that the &ollege ha( 'irst&hoi&e in e9er# &ase2 so that it might be ne&essar#to remain in rkham (uring the summer2 *hen onl#

the limite( summer-s&hool &lasses *ere hel(. Inthe en(2 though2 lu&k 'a9oure( usK 'or one (a# *ehear( o' an almost i(eal &ase in the otterJs 'iel(Ka bra*n# #oung *orkman (ro*ne( onl# themorning be'ore in !ummerJs Pon(2 an( burie( atthe to*nJs e" ense *ithout (ela# or embalming.That a'ternoon *e 'oun( the ne* gra9e2 an((etermine( to begin *ork soon a'ter mi(night.

It *as a re ulsi9e task that *e un(ertook in thebla&k small hours2 e9en though *e la&ke( at thattime the s e&ial horror o' gra9e#ar(s *hi&h latere" erien&es brought to us. We &arrie( s a(es an(oil (ark lanterns2 'or although ele&tri& tor&hes *erethen manu'a&ture(2 the# *ere not as satis'a&tor#as the tungsten &ontri9an&es o' to(a#. Thero&ess o' unearthing *as slo* an( sor(i( L it

might ha9e been gruesomel# oeti&al i' *e ha(been artists instea( o' s&ientists L an( *e *eregla( *hen our s a(es stru&k *oo(. When the inebo" *as 'ull# un&o9ere(2 West s&ramble( (o*nan( remo9e( the li(2 (ragging out an( ro ing uthe &ontents. I rea&he( (o*n an( haule( the&ontents out o' the gra9e2 an( then both toile(

har( to restore the s ot to its 'ormer a earan&e.The a''air ma(e us rather ner9ous2 es e&iall# thesti'' 'orm an( 9a&ant 'a&e o' our 'irst tro h#2 but *emanage( to remo9e all tra&es o' our 9isit. When

*e ha( atte( (o*n the last sho9el'ul o' earth2 *e

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ut the s e&imen in a &an9as sa&k an( set out 'orthe ol( /ha man la&e be#on( $ea(o* Hill.

n an im ro9ise( (isse&ting-table in the ol('armhouse2 b# the light o' a o*er'ul a&et#lenelam 2 the s e&imen *as not 9er# s e&tral looking.It ha( been a stur(# an( a arentl# unimaginati9e#outh o' *holesome lebeian t# e L large-'rame(2gre#-e#e(2 an( bro*n-haire( L a soun( animal

*ithout s#&hologi&al subtleties2 an( robabl#ha9ing 9ital ro&esses o' the sim lest an(healthiest sort. o*2 *ith the e#es &lose(2 itlooke( more aslee than (ea(K though the e" erttest o' m# 'rien( soon le't no (oubt on that s&ore.We ha( at last *hat West ha( al*a#s longe( 'or La real (ea( man o' the i(eal kin(2 rea(# 'or thesolution as re are( a&&or(ing to the most &are'ul&al&ulations an( theories 'or humanuse. The tension on our art be&ame9er# great. We kne* that there *ass&ar&el# a &han&e 'or an#thing like&om lete su&&ess2 an( &oul( nota9oi( hi(eous 'ears at ossiblegrotesGue results o' artialanimation. 5s e&iall# *ere

*e a rehensi9e&on&erning the min( an(im ulses o' the &reature2sin&e in the s a&e'ollo*ing (eath some o' themore (eli&ate &erebral &ellsmight *ell ha9e su''ere(

(eterioration. I2 m#sel'2 stillhel( some &urious notionsabout the tra(itional MsoulN o'man2 an( 'elt an a*e atthe se&rets that might betol( b# one returning'rom the (ea(. I

*on(ere( *hat sightsthis la&i( #outh mightha9e seen inina&&essible s heres2 an( *hat he &oul( relate i''ull# restore( to li'e. 3ut m# *on(er *as not

o9er*helming2 sin&e 'or the most art I share( thematerialism o' m# 'rien(. He *as &almer than I ashe 'or&e( a large Guantit# o' his 'lui( into a 9ein o'the bo(#Js arm2 imme(iatel# bin(ing the in&isionse&urel#.

The *aiting *as gruesome2 but West ne9er'altere(. 59er# no* an( then he a lie( hisstethos&o e to the s e&imen2 an( bore thenegati9e results hiloso hi&all#. 'ter about three-Guarters o' an hour *ithout the least sign o' li'e he(isa ointe(l# ronoun&e( the solution

ina(eGuate2 but (etermine( to make the most o'his o ortunit# an( tr# one &hange in the 'ormulabe'ore (is osing o' his ghastl# ri8e. We ha( thata'ternoon (ug a gra9e in the &ellar2 an( *oul(ha9e to 'ill it b# (a*n L 'or although *e ha( 'i"e( a

lo&k on the house2 *e *ishe( to shun e9en theremotest risk o' a ghoulish (is&o9er#. 3esi(es2 thebo(# *oul( not be e9en a ro"imatel# 'resh thene"t night. !o taking the solitar# a&et#lene laminto the a(Ea&ent laborator#2 *e le't our silentguest on the slab in the (ark2 an( bent e9er#energ# to the mi"ing o' a ne* solutionK the

*eighing an( measuring su er9ise( b# West *ith

an almost 'anati&al &are.The a*'ul e9ent *as 9er# su((en2 an( *holl#une" e&te(. I *as ouring something 'rom onetest-tube to another2 an( West *as bus# o9er theal&ohol blast-lam *hi&h ha( to ans*er 'or a3unsen burner in this gasless e(i'i&e2 *hen 'romthe it&h-bla&k room *e ha( le't there burst themost a alling an( (aemonia& su&&ession o' &riesthat either o' us ha( e9er hear(. ot moreunutterable &oul( ha9e been the &haos o' hellishsoun( i' the it itsel' ha( o ene( to release the

agon# o' the (amne(2 'or in one in&on&ei9able&a&o hon# *as &entere( all the su ernal terror

an( unnatural (es air o' animate nature. Humanit &oul( not ha9e been L it is not in man to makesu&h soun(s L an( *ithout a thought o' our lateem lo#ment or its ossible (is&o9er#2 both West

an( I lea e( to the nearest *in(o*like stri&ken animalsK o9erturning

tubes2 lam 2 an( retorts2 an(9aulting ma(l# into the starre(ab#ss o' the rural night. I think *e

s&reame( oursel9es as

*e stumble( 'ranti&all#to*ar( the to*n2 thoughas *e rea&he( the

outskirts *e ut on asemblan&e o' restraint L Eust

enough to seem like belate(re9ellers staggering home 'roma (ebau&h.

We (i( not se arate2 but manage( to get to WestJsroom2 *here *e *his ere( *ith the gas u until(a*n. 3# then *e ha( &alme( oursel9es a little

*ith rational theories an( lans 'or in9estigation2so that *e &oul( slee through the (a# L &lassesbeing (isregar(e(. 3ut that e9ening t*o items inthe a er2 *holl# unrelate(2 ma(e it againim ossible 'or us to slee . The ol( (eserte(/ha man house ha( ine" li&abl# burne( to anamor hous hea o' ashesK that *e &oul(un(erstan( be&ause o' the u set lam . lso2 anattem t ha( been ma(e to (isturb a ne* gra9e inthe otterJs 'iel(2 as i' b# 'utile an( s a(eless&la*ing at the earth. That *e &oul( notun(erstan(2 'or *e ha( atte( (o*n the moul(

9er# &are'ull#.n( 'or se9enteen #ears a'ter that West *oul(

look 'reGuentl# o9er his shoul(er2 an( &om lain o''an&ie( 'ootste s behin( him. o* he has(isa eare(.


10/41

))0 he Pla#ue aemonI shall ne9er 'orget that hi(eous summersi"teen #ears ago2

*hen like a no"iousa'rite 'rom the halls o'5blis t# hoi( stalke( leeringl#through rkham. It is b# that satani&s&ourge that most re&all the #ear2 'or

trul# terror broo(e( *ith bat-*ings o9erthe iles o' &o''ins in the tombs o'/hrist&hur&h /emeter#K #et 'or me thereis a greater horror in that time L a horrorkno*n to me alone no* that Herbert Westhas (isa eare(.

West an( I *ere (oing ost-gra(uate *ork insummer &lasses at the me(i&al s&hool o'$iskatoni& ni9ersit#2 an( m# 'rien( ha( attaine(a *i(e notoriet# be&ause o' his e" erimentslea(ing to*ar( the re9i9i'i&ation o' the (ea(. 'ter

the s&ienti'i& slaughter o' un&ounte( smallanimals the 'reakish *ork ha( ostensibl# sto e(b# or(er o' our s&e ti&al (ean2 Dr. llan Halse#Kthough West ha( &ontinue( to er'orm &ertainse&ret tests in his (ing# boar(ing-house room2an( ha( on one terrible an( un'orgettableo&&asion taken a human bo(# 'rom its gra9e inthe otterJs 'iel( to a (eserte( 'armhouse be#on($ea(o* Hill.

I *as *ith him on that o(ious o&&asion2 an( sa*him inEe&t into the still 9eins the eli"ir *hi&h hethought *oul( to some e"tent restore li'eJs&hemi&al an( h#si&al ro&esses. It ha( en(e(horribl# L in a (elirium o' 'ear *hi&h *e gra(uall#&ame to attribute to our o*n o9er*rought ner9esL an( West ha( ne9er a'ter*ar( been able toshake o' ' a ma((ening sensation o' beinghaunte( an( hunte(. The bo(# ha( not beenGuite 'resh enoughK it is ob9ious that to restorenormal mental attributes a bo(# must be 9er#'resh in(ee(K an( the burning o' the ol( househa( re9ente( us 'rom bur#ing the thing. It *oul(ha9e been better i' *e &oul( ha9e kno*n it *as

un(ergroun(.'ter that e" erien&e West ha( (ro e( his

resear&hes 'or some timeK but as the 8eal o' theborn s&ientist slo*l# returne(2 he again be&ameim ortunate *ith the &ollege 'a&ult#2 lea(ing 'orthe use o' the (isse&ting-room an( o' 'reshhuman s e&imens 'or the *ork he regar(e( as soo9er*helmingl# im ortant. His leas2 ho*e9er2

*ere *holl# in 9ainK 'or the (e&ision o' Dr. Halse# *as in'le"ible2 an( the other ro'essors allen(orse( the 9er(i&t o' their lea(er. In the ra(i&altheor# o' reanimation the# sa* nothing but theimmature 9agaries o' a #outh'ul enthusiast *hoseslight 'orm2 #ello* hair2 s e&ta&le( blue e#es2 an(so't 9oi&e ga9e no hint o' the su ernormal Lalmost (iaboli&al L o*er o' the &ol( brain *ithin.

I &an see him no* as he *as then L an( I shi9er.

He gre* sterner o' 'a&e2 but ne9er el(erl#.n( no* !e'ton s#lum has ha( themisha an( West has 9anishe(.

West &lashe( (isagreeabl# *ith Dr.Halse# near the en( o' our lastun(ergra(uate term in a *or(#(is ute that (i( less &re(it to him

than to the kin(i# (ean inoint o' &ourtes#. He 'eltthat he *as nee(lessl#an( irrationall# retar(e(in a su remel# great

*orkK a *ork *hi&h he&oul( o' &ourse &on(u&t tosuit himsel' in later #ears2but *hi&h he *ishe( tobegin *hile still ossesse(o' the e"&e tional 'a&ilities

o' the uni9ersit#. That thetra(ition-boun( el(ers shoul(ignore his singular results on

animals2 an( ersist in their (enial o' theossibilit# o' reanimation2 *as ine" ressibl#

(isgusting an( almost in&om rehensible to a #outho' WestJs logi&al tem erament. nl# greatermaturit# &oul( hel him un(erstan( the &hroni&mental limitations o' the M ro'essor-(o&torN t# e Lthe ro(u&t o' generations o' atheti& PuritanismKkin(l#2 &ons&ientious2 an( sometimes gentle an(amiable2 #et al*a#s narro*2 intolerant2 &ustom-ri((en2 an( la&king in ers e&ti9e. ge has more

&harit# 'or these in&om lete #et high-soule(&hara&ters2 *hose *orst real 9i&e is timi(it#2 an( *ho are ultimatel# unishe( b# general ri(i&ule 'ortheir intelle&tual sins L sins like Ptolemaism2/al9inism2 anti-Dar*inism2 anti- iet8s&heism2 an(e9er# sort o' !abbatarianism an( sum tuar#legislation. West2 #oung (es ite his mar9ellouss&ienti'i& a&Guirements2 ha( s&ant atien&e *ithgoo( Dr. Halse# an( his eru(ite &olleaguesK an(nurse( an in&reasing resentment2 &ou le( *ith a(esire to ro9e his theories to these obtuse

*orthies in some striking an( (ramati& 'ashion.

,ike most #ouths2 he in(ulge( in elaborate(a#(reams o' re9enge2 trium h2 an( 'inalmagnanimous 'orgi9eness.

n( then ha( &ome the s&ourge2 grinning an(lethal2 'rom the nightmare &a9erns o' Tartarus.West an( I ha( gra(uate( about the time o' itsbeginning2 but ha( remaine( 'or a((itional *ork atthe summer s&hool2 so that *e *ere in rkham

*hen it broke *ith 'ull (aemonia& 'ur# u on theto*n. Though not as #et li&en&e( h#si&ians2 *eno* ha( our (egrees2 an( *ere resse( 'ranti&all#

into ubli& ser9i&e as the numbers o' the stri&kengre*. The situation *as almost ast management2an( (eaths ensue( too 'reGuentl# 'or the lo&alun(ertakers 'ull# to han(le. 3urials *ithoutembalming *ere ma(e in ra i( su&&ession2 an(

!"


11/41

e9en the /hrist&hur&h /emeter# re&ei9ing tomb *as &ramme( *ith &o''ins o' the unembalme((ea(. This &ir&umstan&e *as not *ithout e''e&t onWest2 *ho thought o'ten o' the iron# o' thesituation L so man# 'resh s e&imens2 #et none 'orhis erse&ute( resear&hes We *ere 'right'ull#o9er*orke(2 an( the terri'i& mental an( ner9ousstrain ma(e m# 'rien( broo( morbi(l#.

3ut WestJs gentle enemies *ere no less harasse( *ith rostrating (uties. /ollege ha( all but &lose(2an( e9er# (o&tor o' the me(i&al 'a&ult# *ashel ing to 'ight the t# hoi( lague. Dr. Halse# inarti&ular ha( (istinguishe( himsel' in sa&ri'i&ingser9i&e2 a l#ing his e"treme skill *ith *hole-hearte( energ# to &ases *hi&h man# othersshunne( be&ause o' (anger or a arentho elessness. 3e'ore a month *as o9er the'earless (ean ha( be&ome a o ular hero2 thoughhe seeme( un&ons&ious o' his 'ame as hestruggle( to kee 'rom &olla sing *ith h#si&al'atigue an( ner9ous e"haustion. West &oul( not

*ithhol( a(miration 'or the 'ortitu(e o' his 'oe2 butbe&ause o' this *as e9en more (etermine( toro9e to him the truth o' his ama8ing (o&trines.

Taking a(9antage o' the (isorganisation o' both&ollege *ork an( muni&i al health regulations2 hemanage( to get a re&entl# (e&ease( bo(#smuggle( into the uni9ersit# (isse&ting-room onenight2 an( in m# resen&e inEe&te( a ne*mo(i'i&ation o' his solution. The thing a&tuall#o ene( its e#es2 but onl# stare( at the &eiling *ith

a look o' soul- etri'#ing horror be'ore &olla singinto an inertness 'rom *hi&h nothing &oul( rouseit. West sai( it *as not 'resh enough L the hotsummer air (oes not 'a9our &or ses. That time *e

*ere almost &aught be'ore *e in&inerate( thething2 an( West (oubte( the a(9isabilit# o're eating his (aring misuse o' the &ollegelaborator#.

The eak o' the e i(emi& *as rea&he( in ugust.West an( I *ere almost (ea(2 an( Dr. Halse# (i((ie on the 1=th. The stu(ents all atten(e( thehast# 'uneral on the 1 th2 an( bought anim ressi9e *reath2 though the latter *as Guiteo9ersha(o*e( b# the tributes sent b# *ealth#rkham &iti8ens an( b# the muni&i alit# itsel'. It

*as almost a ubli& a''air2 'or the (ean ha( surel#been a ubli& bene'a&tor. 'ter the entombment

*e *ere all some*hat (e resse(2 an( s ent thea'ternoon at the bar o' the /ommer&ial HouseK

*here West2 though shaken b# the (eath o' his&hie' o onent2 &hille( the rest o' us *ithre'eren&es to his notorious theories. $ost o'the stu(ents *ent home2 or to 9arious (uties2

as the e9ening a(9an&e(K but Westersua(e( me to ai( him in Mmaking a nighto' it.N WestJs lan(la(# sa* us arri9e athis room about t*o in the morning2 *itha thir( man bet*een usK an( tol( her

husban( that *e ha( all e9i(entl# (ine( an( *ine(rather *ell.

arentl# this a&i(ulous matron *as rightK 'orabout a.m. the *hole house *as arouse( b#&ries &oming 'rom WestJs room2 *here *hen the#broke (o*n the (oor2 the# 'oun( the t*o o' usun&ons&ious on the bloo(-staine( &ar et2 beaten2s&rat&he(2 an( maule(2 an( *ith the brokenremnants o' WestJs bottles an( instruments aroun(us. nl# an o en *in(o* tol( *hat ha( be&ome o'our assailant2 an( man# *on(ere( ho* he himsel'ha( 'are( a'ter the terri'i& lea 'rom the se&on(stor# to the la*n *hi&h he must ha9e ma(e. There

*ere some strange garments in the room2 butWest u on regaining &ons&iousness sai( the# (i(not belong to the stranger2 but *ere s e&imens&olle&te( 'or ba&teriologi&al anal#sis in the &ourseo' in9estigations on the transmission o' germ(iseases. He or(ere( them burnt as soon asossible in the &a a&ious 'ire la&e. To the oli&e

*e both (e&lare( ignoran&e o' our late&om anionJs i(entit#. He *as2 West ner9ousl#sai(2 a &ongenial stranger *hom *e ha( met atsome (o*nto*n bar o' un&ertain lo&ation. We ha(all been rather Eo9ial2 an( West an( I (i( not *ishto ha9e our ugna&ious &om anion hunte( (o*n.

That same night sa* the beginning o' the se&on(rkham horror L the horror that to me e&li se( thelague itsel'. /hrist&hur&h /emeter# *as the

s&ene o' a terrible killingK a *at&hman ha9ing been&la*e( to (eath in a manner not onl# too hi(eous'or (es&ri tion2 but raising a (oubt as to thehuman agen o' the (ee(. The 9i&tim ha( beenseen ali9e &onsi(erabl# a'ter mi(night L the (a*nre9eale( the unutterable thing. The manager o' a&ir&us at the neighbouring to*n o' 3olton *asGuestione(2 but he s*ore that no beast ha( at an#time es&a e( 'rom its &age. Those *ho 'oun( thebo(# note( a trail o' bloo( lea(ing to the re&ei9ingtomb2 *here a small ool o' re( la# on the&on&rete Eust outsi(e the gate. 'ainter trail le(a*a# to*ar( the *oo(s2 but it soon ga9e out. Thene"t night (e9ils (an&e( on the roo's o' rkham2an( unnatural ma(ness ho*le( in the *in(.Through the 'e9ere( to*n ha( &re t a &urse *hi&hsome sai( *as greater than the lague2 an( *hi&hsome *his ere( *as the embo(ie( (aemon-soul

!!


12/41

o' the lague itsel'. 5ight houses *ereentere( b# a nameless thing *hi&h

stre*e( re( (eath in its *ake L in all2se9enteen maime( an( sha elessremnants o' bo(ies *ere le't behin(b# the 9oi&eless2 sa(isti& monsterthat &re t abroa(. 'e* ersons ha(hal' seen it in the (ark2 an( sai( it

*as *hite an( like a mal'orme( a eor anthro omor hi& 'ien(. It ha( notle't behin( Guite all that it ha(

atta&ke(2 'or sometimes it ha( beenhungr#. The number it ha( kille( *as

'ourteenK three o' the bo(ies ha( been instri&ken homes an( ha( not been ali9e.

n the thir( night 'ranti& ban(s o'sear&hers2 le( b# the oli&e2 &a ture( it

in a house on /rane !treet near the$iskatoni& &am us. The# ha( organise(

the Guest *ith &are2 kee ing in tou&h b# means o'9olunteer tele hone stations2 an( *hen someonein the &ollege (istri&t ha( re orte( hearing as&rat&hing at a shuttere( *in(o*2 the net *asGui&kl# s rea(. n a&&ount o' the general alarman( re&autions2 there *ere onl# t*o more9i&tims2 an( the &a ture *as e''e&te( *ithoutmaEor &asualties. The thing *as 'inall# sto e(b# a bullet2 though not a 'atal one2 an( *asrushe( to the lo&al hos ital ami(st uni9ersale"&itement an( loathing.

For it ha( been a man. This mu&h *as &lear(es ite the nauseous e#es2 the 9oi&elesssimianism2 an( the (aemonia& sa9ager#.The# (resse( its *oun( an( &arte( it tothe as#lum at !e'ton2 *here it beat itshea( against the *alls o' a a((e( &ell'or si"teen #ears L until the re&entmisha 2 *hen it es&a e( un(er&ir&umstan&es that 'e* like tomention. What ha( most (isguste(the sear&hers o' rkham *as thething the# noti&e( *hen themonsterJs 'a&e *as &leane( L themo&king2 unbelie9ableresemblan&e to a learne( an(sel'-sa&ri'i&ing mart#r *ho ha(been entombe( but three (a#sbe'ore L the late Dr. llanHalse#2 ubli& bene'a&tor an((ean o' the me(i&al s&hool o'$iskatoni& ni9ersit#.

To the 9anishe( HerbertWest an( to me the (isgust

an( horror *ere su reme. Ishu((er tonight as I think o' itK shu((er e9enmore than I (i( that morning *hen Westmuttere( through his ban(ages2 MDamn it2 it *asnJt Guite 'resh enough N


13/41


14/41

but *e &oul( get no nearer house *ithout goingon the other si(e o' the 'iel(2 *holl# out o' the'a&tor# (istri&t. We *ere not mu&h (is lease(2ho*e9er2 sin&e there *ere no eo le bet*een usan( our sinister sour&e o' su lies. The *alk *asa tri'le long2 but *e &oul( haul our si lents e&imens un(isturbe(.

ur ra&ti&e *as sur risingl# large 'rom the 9er#'irst L large enough to lease most #oung(o&tors2 an( large enough to ro9e a bore an( abur(en to stu(ents *hose real interest la#else*here. The mill-han(s *ere o' some*hatturbulent in&linationsK an( besi(es their man#natural nee(s2 their 'reGuent &lashes an(stabbing a''ra#s ga9e us lent# to (o. 3ut *hata&tuall# absorbe( our min(s *as the se&retlaborator# *e ha( 'itte( u in the &ellar L thelaborator# *ith the long table un(er the ele&tri&lights2 *here in the small hours o' the morning *e

o'ten inEe&te( WestJs 9arious solutions into the9eins o' the things *e (ragge( 'rom the otterJs'iel(. West *as e" erimenting ma(l# to 'in(something *hi&h *oul( start manJs 9ital motionsane* a'ter the# ha( been sto e( b# the thing

*e &all (eath2 but ha( en&ountere( the mostghastl# obsta&les. The solution ha( to be(i''erentl# &om oun(e( 'or (i''erent t# es L *hat

*oul( ser9e 'or guinea- igs *oul( not ser9e 'orhuman beings2 an( (i''erent human s e&imensreGuire( large mo(i'i&ations.

The bo(ies ha( to be e"&ee(ingl#'resh2 or the slight (e&om osition o'brain tissue *oul( ren(er er'e&treanimation im ossible. In(ee(2 thegreatest roblem *as to get them'resh enough L West ha( ha(horrible e" erien&es (uring hisse&ret &ollege resear&hes *ith&or ses o' (oubt'ul 9intage. Theresults o' artial or im er'e&tanimation *ere mu&h morehi(eous than *ere the total

'ailures2 an( *e both hel('earsome re&olle&tions o'su&h things. 59er sin&e our'irst (aemonia& session inthe (eserte( 'armhouse on$ea(o* Hill in rkham2 *eha( 'elt a broo(ingmena&eK an( West2 thougha &alm2 blon(2 blue-e#e(s&ienti'i& automaton inmost res e&ts2 o'ten&on'esse( to ashu((eringsensation o'stealth#ursuit. Hehal' 'elt

that he *as 'ollo*e( L a s#&hologi&al (elusiono' shaken ner9es2 enhan&e( b# the un(eniabl#(isturbing 'a&t that at least one o' our reanimate(s e&imens *as still ali9e L a 'right'ul &arni9orousthing in a a((e( &ell at !e'ton. Then there *asanother L our 'irst L *hose e"a&t 'ate *e ha(ne9er learne(.

We ha( 'air lu&k *ith s e&imens in 3olton L mu&hbetter than in rkham. We ha( not been settle( a

*eek be'ore *e got an a&&i(ent 9i&tim on the9er# night o' burial2 an( ma(e it o en its e#es

*ith an ama8ingl# rational e" ression be'ore thesolution 'aile(. It ha( lost an arm L i' it ha( beena er'e&t bo(# *e might ha9e su&&ee(e( better.3et*een then an( the ne"t @anuar# *e se&ure(three moreK one total 'ailure2 one &ase o' marke(mus&ular motion2 an( one rather shi9er# thing L itrose o' itsel' an( uttere( a soun(. Then &ame aerio( *hen lu&k *as oorK interments 'ell o''2

an( those that (i( o&&ur *ere o' s e&imens eithertoo (isease( or too maime( 'or use. We ke ttra&k o' all the (eaths an( their &ir&umstan&es

*ith s#stemati& &are.

ne $ar&h night2 ho*e9er2 *e une" e&te(l#obtaine( a s e&imen *hi&h (i( not &ome 'rom theotterJs 'iel(. In 3olton the re9ailing s irit o'

Puritanism ha( outla*e( the s ort o' bo"ing L *ith the usual result . !urre titious an( ill-

&on(u&te( bouts among the mill-*orkers *ere &ommon2 an( o&&asionall#

ro'essional talent o' lo* gra(e *asim orte(. This late *inter nightthere ha( been su&h a mat&hKe9i(entl# *ith (isastrous results2sin&e t*o timorous Poles ha(&ome to us *ith in&oherentl#

*his ere( entreaties to atten( toa 9er# se&ret an( (es erate&ase. We 'ollo*e( them to an

aban(one( barn2 *here the

remnants o' a

&ro*( o''rightene(

'oreigners *ere *at&hing a silentbla&k 'orm on the'loor.

The mat&h ha(been bet*een ?i(

J3rien L a lubberl#an( no* Guaking

#outh *ith a most

un-Hibernianhooke( nose Lan( 3u&k

Robinson2 MTheHarlem !moke.N The negro ha( been kno&ke(

!#


15/41

out2 an( a momentJs e"amination she*e( us thathe *oul( ermanentl# remain so. He *as aloathsome2 gorilla-like thing2 *ith abnormall# longarms *hi&h I &oul( not hel &alling 'ore legs2 an(a 'a&e that &onEure( u thoughts o' uns eakable/ongo se&rets an( tom-tom oun(ings un(er aneerie moon. The bo(# must ha9e looke( e9en

*orse in li'e L but the *orl( hol(s man# ugl#

things. Fear *as u on the *hole iti'ul &ro*(2 'orthe# (i( not kno* *hat the la* *oul( e"a&t o'them i' the a''air *ere not hushe( u K an( the#

*ere grate'ul *hen West2 in s ite o' m#in9oluntar# shu((ers2 o''ere( to get ri( o' thething Guietl# L 'or a ur ose I kne* too *ell.

There *as bright moonlight o9er the sno*lesslan(s&a e2 but *e (resse( the thing an( &arrie(it home bet*een us through the (eserte( streetsan( mea(o*s2 as *e ha( &arrie( a similar thingone horrible night in rkham. We a roa&he( the

house 'rom the ' iel( in the rear2 took thes e&imen in the ba&k (oor an( (o*n the &ellarstairs2 an( re are( it 'or the usual e" eriment.ur 'ear o' the oli&e *as absur(l# great2 though

*e ha( time( our tri to a9oi( the solitar#atrolman o' that se&tion.

The result *as *earil# anti&lima&ti&. hastl# asour ri8e a eare(2 it *as *holl# unres onsi9e toe9er# solution *e inEe&te( in its bla&k armKsolutions re are( 'rom e" erien&e *ith *hites e&imens onl#. !o as the hour gre* (angerousl#

near to (a*n2 *e (i( as *e ha( (one *ith theothers L (ragge( the thing a&ross the mea(o*sto the ne&k o' the *oo(s near the otterJs 'iel(2an( burie( it there in the best sort o' gra9e the'ro8en groun( *oul( 'urnish. The gra9e *as not9er# (ee 2 but 'ull# as goo( as that o' there9ious s e&imen L the thing *hi&h ha( risen o'

itsel' an( uttere( a soun(. In the light o' our (arklanterns *e &are'ull# &o9ere( it *ith lea9es an((ea( 9ines2 'airl# &ertain that the oli&e *oul(ne9er 'in( it in a 'orest so (im an( (ense.

The ne"t (a# I *as in&reasingl#a rehensi9e about the oli&e2 'or aatient brought rumours o' asus e&te( 'ight an( (eath. West ha(still another sour&e o' *orr#2 'or heha( been &alle( in the a'ternoon to a&ase *hi&h en(e( 9er# threateningl#.n Italian *oman ha( be&omeh#steri&al o9er her missing &hil( L ala( o' 'i9e *ho ha( stra#e( o'' earl# inthe morning an( 'aile( to a ear 'or(inner L an( ha( (e9elo e( s#m toms

highl# alarming in 9ie* o' an al*a#s *eakheart. It *as a 9er# 'oolish h#steria2 'or thebo# ha( o'ten run a*a# be'oreK but Italianeasants are e"&ee(ingl# su erstitious2 an( this

*oman seeme( as mu&h harasse( b# omens as

b# 'a&ts. bout se9en oJ&lo&k in the e9ening sheha( (ie(2 an( her 'ranti& husban( ha( ma(e a'right'ul s&ene in his e''orts to kill West2 *hom he

*il(l# blame( 'or not sa9ing her li'e. Frien(s ha(hel( him *hen he (re* a stiletto2 but West(e arte( ami(st his inhuman shrieks2 &urses an(oaths o' 9engean&e. In his latest a''li&tion the'ello* seeme( to ha9e 'orgotten his &hil(2 *ho

*as still missing as the night a(9an&e(. There *as some talk o' sear&hing the *oo(s2 but mosto' the 'amil#Js 'rien(s *ere bus# *ith the (ea(

*oman an( the s&reaming man. ltogether2 thener9ous strain u on West must ha9e beentremen(ous. Thoughts o' the oli&e an( o' thema( Italian both *eighe( hea9il#.

We retire( about ele9en2 but I (i( not slee *ell.3olton ha( a sur risingl# goo( oli&e 'or&e 'or sosmall a to*n2 an( I &oul( not hel 'earing themess *hi&h *oul( ensue i' the a''air o' the night

be'ore *ere e9er tra&ke( (o*n. It might mean theen( o' all our lo&al *ork L an( erha s rison 'orboth West an( me. I (i( not like those rumours o'a 'ight *hi&h *ere 'loating about. 'ter the &lo&kha( stru&k three the moon shone in m# e#es2 butI turne( o9er *ithout rising to ull (o*n thesha(e. Then &ame the stea(# rattling at the ba&k(oor.

I la# still an( some*hat (a8e(2 but be'ore longhear( WestJs ra on m# (oor. He *as &la( in(ressing-go*n an( sli ers2 an( ha( in his han(s

a re9ol9er an( an ele&tri& 'lashlight. From there9ol9er I kne* that he *as thinking more o' the&ra8e( Italian than o' the oli&e.

!$


16/41

MWeJ( better both go2N he *his ere(. MIt *oul(nJt(o not to ans*er it an#*a#2 an( it ma# be aatient L it *oul( be like one o' those 'ools to tr#

the ba&k (oor.N

!o *e both *ent (o*n the stairs on ti toe2 *ith a'ear artl# Eusti'ie( an( artl# that *hi&h &omesonl# 'rom the soul o' the *eir( small hours. Therattling &ontinue(2 gro*ing some*hat lou(er.When *e rea&he( the (oor I &autiousl# unbolte(it an( thre* it o en2 an( as the moon streame(re9ealingl# (o*n on the 'orm silhouette( there2West (i( a e&uliar thing. Des ite the ob9ious(anger o' attra&ting noti&e an( bringing (o*n onour hea(s the (rea(e( oli&e in9estigation L athing *hi&h a'ter all *as mer&i'ull# a9erte( b# therelati9e isolation o' our &ottage L m# 'rien(su((enl#2 e"&ite(l#2 an( unne&essaril# em tie( allsi" &hambers o' his re9ol9er into the no&turnal9isitor.

For that 9isitor *as neither Italian nor oli&eman.,ooming hi(eousl# against the s e&tral moon

*as a giganti& missha en thing not to beimagine( sa9e in nightmares L a glass#-e#e(2ink-bla&k a arition nearl# on all 'ours2 &o9ere(

*ith bits o' moul(2 lea9es2 an( 9ines2 'oul *ith&ake( bloo(2 an( ha9ing bet*een its glisteningteeth a sno*-*hite2 terrible2 lin(ri&al obEe&tterminating in a tin# han(.

) 0 he "cream of the ead

The s&ream o' a (ea( man ga9e to me that a&utean( a((e( horror o' Dr. Herbert West *hi&hharasse( the latter #ears o' our &om anionshi . Itis natural that su&h a thing as a (ea( manJss&ream shoul( gi9e horror2 'or it is ob9iousl#2 nota leasing or or(inar# o&&urren&eK but I *as use(to similar e" erien&es2 hen&e su''ere( on thiso&&asion onl# be&ause o' a arti&ular&ir&umstan&e. n(2 as I ha9e im lie(2 it *as noto' the (ea( man himsel' that I be&ame a'rai(.

Herbert West2 *hose asso&iate an( assistant I *as2 ossesse( s&ienti'i& interests 'ar be#on( theusual routine o' a 9illage h#si&ian. That *as

*h#2 *hen establishing his ra&ti&e in 3olton2 heha( &hosen an isolate( house near the otterJs'iel(. 3rie'l# an( brutall# state(2 WestJs soleabsorbing interest *as a se&ret stu(# o' thehenomena o' li'e an( its &essation2 lea(ing

to*ar( the reanimation o' the (ea( throughinEe&tions o' an e"&itant solution. For this ghastl#e" erimenting it *as ne&essar# to ha9e a&onstant su l# o' 9er# 'resh human bo(iesK 9er#

'resh be&ause e9en the least (e&a# ho elessl#(amage( the brain stru&ture2 an( human be&ause *e 'oun( that the solution ha( to be &om oun(e((i''erentl# 'or (i''erent t# es o' organisms. !&oreso' rabbits an( guinea- igs ha( been kille( an(

treate(2 but their trail *as a blin( one. West ha(ne9er 'ull# su&&ee(e( be&ause he ha( ne9erbeen able to se&ure a &or se su''i&ientl# 'resh.What he *ante( *ere bo(ies 'rom *hi&h 9italit#ha( onl# Eust (e arte(K bo(ies *ith e9er# &ellinta&t an( &a able o' re&ei9ing again the im ulseto*ar( that mo(e o' motion &alle( li'e. There *asho e that this se&on( an( arti'i&ial li'e might be

ma(e er etual b# re etitions o' the inEe&tion2 but *e ha( learne( that an or(inar# natural li 'e *oul(not res on( to the a&tion. To establish thearti'i&ial motion2 natural li'e must be e"tin&t L thes e&imens must be 9er# 'resh2 but genuinel#(ea(.

The a*esome Guest ha( begun *hen West an( I *ere stu(ents at the $iskatoni& ni9ersit#$e(i&al !&hool in rkham2 9i9i(l# &ons&ious 'orthe 'irst time o' the thoroughl# me&hani&al natureo' li'e. That *as se9en #ears be'ore2 but West

looke( s&ar&el# a (a# ol(er no* L he *as small2blon(2 &lean-sha9en2 so't-9oi&e(2 an( s e&ta&le(2 *ith onl# an o&&asional 'lash o' a &ol( blue e#e totell o' the har(ening an( gro*ing 'anati&ism o' his&hara&ter un(er the ressure o' his terriblein9estigations. ur e" erien&es ha( o'ten beenhi(eous in the e"tremeK the results o' (e'e&ti9ereanimation2 *hen lum s o' gra9e#ar( &la# ha(been gal9anise( into morbi(2 unnatural2 an(brainless motion b# 9arious mo(i'i&ations o' the9ital solution.

ne thing ha( uttere( a ner9e-shattering s&reamKanother ha( risen 9iolentl#2 beaten us both toun&ons&iousness2 an( run amu&k in a sho&king

*a# be'ore it &oul( be la&e( behin( as#lumbarsK still another2 a loathsome 'ri&anmonstrosit#2 ha( &la*e( out o' its shallo* gra9ean( (one a (ee( L West ha( ha( to shoot thatobEe&t. We &oul( not get bo(ies 'resh enough toshe* an# tra&e o' reason *hen reanimate(2 soha( er'or&e &reate( nameless horrors. It *as(isturbing to think that one2 erha s t*o2 o' ourmonsters still li9e( L that thought haunte( us

sha(o*ingl#2 till 'inall# West (isa eare( un(er'right'ul &ir&umstan&es. 3ut at the time o' thes&ream in the &ellar laborator# o' the isolate(3olton &ottage2 our 'ears *ere subor(inate to ouran"iet# 'or e"tremel# 'resh s e&imens. West *asmore a9i( than I2 so that it almost seeme( to methat he looke( hal'-&o9etousl# at an# 9er# health#li9ing h#siGue.

It *as in @ul#2 1>102 that the ba( lu&k regar(ings e&imens began to turn. I ha( been on a long9isit to m# arents in Illinois2 an( u on m# return

'oun( West in a state o' singular elation. He ha(2he tol( me e"&ite(l#2 in all likelihoo( sol9e( theroblem o' 'reshness through an a roa&h 'rom

an entirel# ne* angle L that o' art i' i&ialreser9ation. I ha( kno*n that he *as *orking on

!6


17/41


18/41

&alm2 an( ali9e2 but still unintelligent an( note9en &urious.

In a moment o' 'antasti& *him I *his ere(Guestions to the re((ening earsK Guestions o'other *orl(s o' *hi&h the memor# might still beresent. !ubseGuent terror (ro9e them 'rom m#

min(2 but I think the last one2 *hi&h I re eate(2 *as: MWhere ha9e #ou been4N I (o not #et kno* *hether I *as ans*ere( or not2 'or no soun(&ame 'rom the *ell-sha e( mouthK but I (o kno*that at that moment I 'irml# thought the thin li smo9e( silentl#2 'orming s#llables *hi&h I *oul(ha9e 9o&alise( as Monl# no*N i' that hrase ha(ossesse( an# sense or rele9an. t that

moment2 as I sa#2 I *as elate( *ith the &on9i&tionthat the one great goal ha( been attaine(K an(that 'or the 'irst time a reanimate( &or se ha(uttere( (istin&t *or(s im elle( b# a&tual reason.In the ne"t moment there *as no (oubt about the

trium hK no (oubt that the solution ha( trul#a&&om lishe(2 at least tem oraril#2 its 'ull missiono' restoring rational an( arti&ulate li'e to the (ea(.3ut in that trium h there &ame to me the greatesto' all horrors L not horror o' the thing that s oke2but o' the (ee( that I ha( *itnesse( an( o' theman *ith *hom m# ro'essional 'ortunes *ere

Eoine(.

For that 9er# 'resh bo(#2 at last *rithing into 'ullan( terri'#ing &ons&iousness *ith e#es (ilate( atthe memor# o' its last s&ene on earth2 thre* out

its 'ranti& han(s in a li'e an( (eath struggle *iththe air2 an( su((enl# &olla sing into a se&on(an( 'inal (issolution 'rom *hi&h there&oul( be no return2

s&reame( out the &r# that *ill ring eternall# in m#a&hing brain:

MHel ?ee o''2 #ou &urse( little to*-hea( 'ien( Lkee that (amne( nee(le a*a# 'rom me N

0 he Horror From the "hado&s

$an# men ha9e relate( hi(eous things2 notmentione( in rint2 *hi&h ha ene( on thebattle'iel(s o' the reat War. !ome o' thesethings ha9e ma(e me 'aint2 others ha9e&on9ulse( me *ith (e9astating nausea2 *hile stillothers ha9e ma(e me tremble an( look behin(me in the (arkK #et (es ite the *orst o' them Ibelie9e I &an m#sel' relate the most hi(eous thingo' all L the sho&king2 the unnatural2 theunbelie9able horror 'rom the sha(o*s.

In 1>1 I *as a h#si&ian *ith the rank o' First,ieutenant in a /ana(ian regiment in Flan(ers2one o' man# meri&ans to re&e(e thego9ernment itsel' into the giganti& struggle. I ha(not entere( the arm# on m# o*n initiati9e2 butrather as a natural result o' the enlistment o' theman *hose in(is ensable assistant I *as L the&elebrate( 3oston surgi&al s e&ialist2 Dr. HerbertWest. Dr. West ha( been a9i( 'or a &han&e toser9e as surgeon in a great *ar2 an( *hen the&han&e ha( &ome2 he &arrie( me *ith him almostagainst m# *ill. There *ere reasons *h# I &oul(ha9e been gla( to let the *ar se arate usKreasons *h# I 'oun( the ra&ti&e o' me(i&ine an(the &om anionshi o' West more an( moreirritatingK but *hen he ha( gone to tta*a an(through a &olleagueJs in'luen&e se&ure( ame(i&al &ommission as $aEor2 I &oul( not resistthe im erious ersuasion o' one (etermine( that Ishoul( a&&om an# him in m# usual &a a&it#.

When I sa# that Dr. West *as a9i( to ser9e inbattle2 I (o not mean to im l# that he *as

either naturall# *arlike or an"ious 'or thesa'et# o' &i9ilisation. l*a#s an i&e-

&ol( intelle&tual ma&hineK slight2blon(2 blue-e#e(2 an( s e&ta&le(KI think he se&retl# sneere( at m#

o&&asional martial enthusiasms an(&ensures o' su ine neutralit#. There *as2 ho*e9er2 something he *ante( in embattle( Flan(ersK an(in or(er to se&ure it ha( ha( toassume a militar# e"terior. Whathe *ante( *as not a thing *hi&hman# ersons *ant2 but

something &onne&te( *ith the

e&uliar bran&h o' me(i&al s&ien&e *hi&h he ha( &hosen Guite&lan(estinel# to 'ollo*2 an( in *hi&h

he ha( a&hie9e( ama8ing an(o&&asionall# hi(eous results. It

!8


19/41

*as2 in 'a&t2 nothing more or less than anabun(ant su l# o' 'reshl# kille( men in e9er#stage o' (ismemberment.

Herbert West nee(e( 'resh bo(ies be&ause hisli'e-*ork *as the reanimation o' the (ea(. This

*ork *as not kno*n to the 'ashionable &lientele *ho ha( so s*i'tl# built u his 'ame a'ter hisarri9al in 3ostonK but *as onl# too *ell kno*n tome2 *ho ha( been his &losest 'rien( an( soleassistant sin&e the ol( (a#s in $iskatoni&ni9ersit# $e(i&al !&hool at rkham. It *as in

those &ollege (a#s that he ha( begun his terriblee" eriments2 'irst on small animals an( then onhuman bo(ies sho&kingl# obtaine(. There *as asolution *hi&h he inEe&te( into the 9eins o' (ea(things2 an( i' the# *ere 'resh enough the#res on(e( in strange *a#s. He ha( ha( mu&htrouble in (is&o9ering the ro er 'ormula2 'orea&h t# e o' organism *as 'oun( to nee( a

stimulus es e&iall# a(a te( to it. Terror stalke(him *hen he re'le&te( on his artial 'ailuresKnameless things resulting 'rom im er'e&tsolutions or 'rom bo(ies insu''i&ientl# 'resh. &ertain number o' these 'ailures ha( remaine(ali9e L one *as in an as#lum *hile others ha(9anishe( L an( as hethought o'&on&ei9able #et9irtuall#im ossiblee9entualities he

o'ten shi9ere(beneath hisusual stoli(it#.

West ha( soonlearne( thatabsolute 'reshness

*as the rimereGuisite 'or use'uls e&imens2 an( ha(a&&or(ingl# resorte( to'right'ul an( unnatural

e" e(ients in bo(#-snat&hing. In&ollege2 an( (uring our earl#ra&ti&e together in the 'a&tor# to*n o'

3olton2 m# attitu(e to*ar( him ha( beenlargel# one o' 'as&inate( a(mirationK but ashis bol(ness in metho(s gre*2 I began to (e9eloa gna*ing 'ear. I (i( not like the *a# he looke( athealth# li9ing bo(iesK an( then there &ame anightmarish session in the &ellar laborator# *henI learne( that a &ertain s e&imen ha( been ali9ing bo(# *hen he se&ure( it. That *as the 'irsttime he ha( e9er been able to re9i9e the Gualit#o' rational thought in a &or seK an( his su&&ess2obtaine( at su&h a loathsome &ost2 ha(&om letel# har(ene( him.

' his metho(s in the inter9ening 'i9e #ears I (arenot s eak. I *as hel( to him b# sheer 'or&e o''ear2 an( *itnesse( sights that no human tongue&oul( re eat. ra(uall# I &ame to 'in( HerbertWest himsel' more horrible than an#thing he (i( Lthat *as *hen it (a*ne( on me that his on&enormal s&ienti'i& 8eal 'or rolonging li'e ha(subtl# (egenerate( into a mere morbi( an(

ghoulish &uriosit# an( se&ret sense o' &harneli&turesGueness. His interest be&ame a hellishan( er9erse a((i&tion to the re ellentl# an('ien(ishl# abnormalK he gloate( &alml# o9erarti'i&ial monstrosities *hi&h *oul( make mosthealth# men (ro (ea( 'rom 'right an( (isgustK hebe&ame2 behin( his alli( intelle&tualit#2 a'asti(ious 3au(elaire o' h#si&al e" eriment L alangui( 5lagabalus o' the tombs.

Dangers he met un'l in&hingl#K &rimes he&ommitte( unmo9e(. I think the &lima" &ame

*hen he ha( ro9e( his oint that rational li'e &anbe restore(2 an( ha( sought ne* *orl(s to&onGuer b# e" erimenting on the reanimation o'(eta&he( arts o' bo(ies. He ha( *il( an(original i(eas on the in(e en(ent 9ital ro ertieso' organi& &ells an( ner9e-tissue se arate( 'romnatural h#siologi&al s#stemsK an( a&hie9e(some hi(eous reliminar# results in the 'orm o'ne9er-(#ing2 arti'i&iall# nourishe( tissue obtaine(

'rom the nearl# hat&he(eggs o' an

in(es&ribable

tro i&al re tile.T*o biologi&al

oints he *ase"&ee(ingl#an"ious tosettle L ' irst2

*hether an#amount o'

&ons&iousnessan( rational

a&tion be ossible *ithout the brain2

ro&ee(ing 'rom the s inal &or( an(9arious ner9e-&entresK an( se&on(2

*hether an# kin( o' ethereal2 intangiblerelation (istin&t 'rom the material &ells

ma# e"ist to link the surgi&all# se arate( arts o' *hat has re9iousl# been a single li9ingorganism. ll this resear&h *ork reGuire( aro(igious su l# o' 'reshl# slaughtere( human

'lesh L an( that *as *h# Herbert West ha(entere( the reat War.

The hantasmal2 unmentionable thing o&&urre(one mi(night late in $ar&h2 1>1 2 in a 'iel(hos ital behin( the lines o' !t. 5loi. I *on(ere9en no* i' it &oul( ha9e been other than a(aemonia& (ream o' (elirium. West ha( a ri9atelaborator# in an east room o' the barn-like

!


20/41


21/41

&om lete (estru&tion o' the buil(ing in a&ata&l#sm o' erman shell-'ire L *ho &an gainsa#it2 sin&e West an( I *ere the onl# ro9e(sur9i9ors4 West like( to think that be'ore hisre&ent (isa earan&e2 but there *ere times *henhe &oul( notK 'or it *as Gueer that *e both ha(the same hallu&ination. The hi(eous o&&urren&eitsel' *as 9er# sim le2 notable onl# 'or *hat it

im lie(.The bo(# on the table ha( risen *ith a blin( an(terrible gro ing2 an( *e ha( hear( a soun(. Ishoul( not &all that soun( a 9oi&e2 'or it *as tooa*'ul. n( #et its timbre *as not the most a*'ulthing about it. either *as its message L it ha(merel# s&reame(2 M@um 2 Ronal(2 'or o(Js sake2

Eum N The a*'ul thing *as its sour&e.

For it ha( &ome 'rom the large &o9ere( 9at in thatghoulish &orner o' &ra*ling bla&k sha(o*s.

)0 he omb Le#ions

When Dr. Herbert West (isa eare( a #ear ago2the 3oston oli&e Guestione( me &losel#. The#sus e&te( that I *as hol(ing something ba&k2an( erha s sus e&te( gra9er thingsK but I &oul(not tell them the truth be&ause the# *oul( notha9e belie9e( it. The# kne*2 in(ee(2 that Westha( been &onne&te( *ith a&ti9ities be#on( the&re(en&e o' or(inar# menK 'or his hi(eouse" eriments in the reanimation o' (ea( bo(iesha( long been too e"tensi9e to a(mit o' er'e&tse&reK but the 'inal soul-shattering &atastro hehel( elements o' (aemonia& hantas# *hi&hmake e9en me (oubt the realit# o' *hat I sa*.

I *as WestJs &losest 'rien( an( onl# &on'i(entialassistant. We ha( met #ears be'ore2 in me(i&als&hool2 an( 'rom the 'irst I ha( share( his terribleresear&hes. He ha( slo*l# trie( to er'e&t asolution *hi&h2 inEe&te( into the 9eins o' thene*l# (e&ease(2 *oul( restore li'eK a labour(eman(ing an abun(an&e o' 'resh &or ses an(there'ore in9ol9ing the most unnatural a&tions.

!till more sho&king *ere the ro(u&ts o' some o'the e" eriments L grisl# masses o' 'lesh that ha(been (ea(2 but that West *ake( to a blin(2brainless2 nauseous animation. These *ere theusual results2 'or in or(er to rea*aken the min( it

*as ne&essar# to ha9e s e&imens so absolutel#'resh that no (e&a# &oul( ossibl# a''e&t the(eli&ate brain-&ells.

This nee( 'or 9er# 'resh &or ses ha( been WestJsmoral un(oing. The# *ere har( to get2 an( onea*'ul (a# he ha( se&ure( his s e&imen *hile it

*as still ali9e an( 9igorous. struggle2 a nee(le2an( a o*er'ul alkaloi( ha( trans'orme( it to a9er# 'resh &or se2 an( the e" eriment ha(su&&ee(e( 'or a brie' an( memorable momentKbut West ha( emerge( *ith a soul &allouse( an(seare(2 an( a har(ene( e#e *hi&h sometimesglan&e( *ith a kin( o' hi(eous an( &al&ulatinga raisal at men o' es e&iall# sensiti9e brain an(es e&iall# 9igorous h#siGue. To*ar( the last Ibe&ame a&utel# a'rai( o' West2 'or he began tolook at me that *a#. Peo le (i( not seem tonoti&e his glan&es2 but the# noti&e( m# 'earK an(

a'ter his (isa earan&e use( that as a basis 'orsome absur( sus i&ions.

West2 in realit#2 *as more a'rai( than IK 'or hisabominable ursuits entaile( a li'e o' 'urti9enessan( (rea( o' e9er# sha(o*. Partl# it *as the

oli&e he 'eare(K but sometimes hisner9ousness *as (ee er an( more nebulous2

tou&hing on &ertain in(es&ribable things into *hi&h he ha( inEe&te( a morbi( li'e2 an(

'rom *hi&h he ha( not seen that li'e(e art. He usuall# 'inishe( his

e" eriments *ith a re9ol9er2 but a 'e*times he ha( not been Gui&k enough.

There *as that 'irst s e&imen on *hoseri'le( gra9e marks o' &la*ing *erelater seen. There *as also that

rkham ro'essorJs bo(# *hi&hha( (one &annibal thingsbe'ore it ha( been &a ture(an( thrust uni(enti'ie( into

a ma(house &ell at !e'ton2 *here it beat the *alls 'or

si"teen #ears. $ost o' theother ossibl# sur9i9ingresults *ere things lesseas# to s eak o' L 'or in

later #ears WestJs s&ienti'i&8eal ha( (egenerate( to an unhealth# an(

2!


22/41

'antasti& mania2 an( he ha( s ent his &hie' skill in9italising not entire human bo(ies but isolate(arts o' bo(ies2 or arts Eoine( to organi& matter

other than human. It ha( be&ome 'ien(ishl#(isgusting b# the time he (isa eare(K man# o'the e" eriments &oul( not e9en be hinte( at inrint. The reat War2 through *hi&h both o' us

ser9e( as surgeons2 ha( intensi'ie( this si(e o'

West.In sa#ing that WestJs 'ear o' his s e&imens *asnebulous2 I ha9e in min( arti&ularl# its &om le"nature. Part o' it &ame merel# 'rom kno*ing o'the e"isten&e o' su&h nameless monsters2 *hileanother art arose 'rom a rehension o' thebo(il# harm the# might un(er &ertain&ir&umstan&es (o him. Their (isa earan&ea((e( horror to the situation L o' them all2 Westkne* the *hereabouts o' onl# one2 the iti'ulas#lum thing. Then there *as a more subtle 'ear

L a 9er# 'antasti& sensation resulting 'rom a&urious e" eriment in the /ana(ian arm# in 1>1 .West2 in the mi(st o' a se9ere battle2 ha(reanimate( $aEor !ir 5ri& $orelan( /la ham-,ee2 D.!. .2 a 'ello*- h#si&ian *ho kne* abouthis e" eriments an( &oul( ha9e (u li&ate( them.The hea( ha( been remo9e(2 so that theossibilities o' Guasi-intelligent li'e in the trunk

might be in9estigate(. @ust as the buil(ing *as *i e( out b# a erman shell2 there ha( been asu&&ess. The trunk ha( mo9e( intelligentl#K an(2unbelie9able to relate2 *e *ere both si&keningl#

sure that arti&ulate soun(s ha( &ome 'rom the(eta&he( hea( as it la# in a sha(o*# &orner o'the laborator#. The shell ha( been mer&i'ul2 in a

*a# L but West &oul( ne9er 'eel as &ertain as he *ishe(2 that *e t*o *ere the onl# sur9i9ors. Heuse( to make shu((ering &onEe&tures about theossible a&tions o' a hea(less h#si&ian *ith theo*er o' reanimating the (ea(.

WestJs last Guarters *ere in a 9enerable house o'mu&h elegan&e2 o9erlooking one o' the ol(estbur#ing-groun(s in 3oston. He ha( &hosen the

la&e 'or urel# s#mboli& an( 'antasti&all#aestheti& reasons2 sin&e most o' the interments

*ere o' the &olonial erio( an( there'ore o' littleuse to a s&ientist seeking 9er# 'resh bo(ies. Thelaborator# *as in a sub-&ellar se&retl#&onstru&te( b# im orte( *orkmen2 an( &ontaine(a huge in&inerator 'or the Guiet an( &om lete(is osal o' su&h bo(ies2 or 'ragments an(s#ntheti& mo&keries o' bo(ies2 as might remain'rom the morbi( e" eriments an( unhallo*e(amusements o' the o*ner. During the e"&a9ationo' this &ellar the *orkmen ha( stru&k somee"&ee(ingl# an&ient masonr#K un(oubte(l#&onne&te( *ith the ol( bur#ing-groun(2 #et 'ar too(ee to &orres on( *ith an# kno*n se ul&hretherein. 'ter a number o' &al&ulations West

(e&i(e( that it re resente( some se&ret

&hamber beneath the tomb o' the 9erills2 *herethe last interment ha( been ma(e in 176). I *as

*ith him *hen he stu(ie( the nitrous2 (ri ing *alls lai( bare b# the s a(es an( matto&ks o' themen2 an( *as re are( 'or the gruesome thrill

*hi&h *oul( atten( the un&o9ering o' &enturie(gra9e-se&retsK but 'or the 'irst time WestJs ne*timi(it# &onGuere( his natural &uriosit#2 an( he

betra#e( his (egenerating 'ibre b# or(ering themasonr# le't inta&t an( lastere( o9er. Thus itremaine( till that 'inal hellish nightK art o' the

*alls o' the se&ret laborator#. I s eak o' WestJs(e&a(en&e2 but must a(( that it *as a urel#mental an( intangible thing. ut*ar(l# he *asthe same to the last L &alm2 &ol(2 slight2 an(#ello*-haire(2 *ith s e&ta&le( blue e#es an( ageneral as e&t o' #outh *hi&h #ears an( 'earsseeme( ne9er to &hange. He seeme( &alm e9en

*hen he thought o' that &la*e( gra9e an( looke(o9er his shoul(erK e9en *hen he thought o' the

&arni9orous thing that gna*e( an( a*e( at!e'ton bars.

The en( o' Herbert West began one e9ening inour Eoint stu(# *hen he *as (i9i(ing his &uriousglan&e bet*een the ne*s a er an( me. strange hea(line item ha( stru&k at him 'rom the&rum le( ages2 an( a nameless titan &la* ha(seeme( to rea&h (o*n through si"teen #ears.!omething 'earsome an( in&re(ible ha(ha ene( at !e'ton s#lum 'i't# miles a*a#2stunning the neighbourhoo( an( ba''ling the

oli&e. In the small hours o' the morning a bo(#o' silent men ha( entere( the groun(s2 an( theirlea(er ha( arouse( the atten(ants. He *as amena&ing militar# 'igure *ho talke( *ithoutmo9ing his li s an( *hose 9oi&e seeme( almost9entriloGuiall# &onne&te( *ith an immense bla&k&ase he &arrie(. His e" ressionless 'a&e *ashan(some to the oint o' ra(iant beaut#2 but ha(sho&ke( the su erinten(ent *hen the hall light'ell on it L 'or it *as a *a" 'a&e *ith e#es o'ainte( glass. !ome nameless a&&i(ent ha(

be'allen this man. larger man gui(e( his ste sKa re ellent hulk *hose bluish 'a&e seeme( hal'eaten a*a# b# some unkno*n mala(#. Thes eaker ha( aske( 'or the &usto(# o' the &annibalmonster &ommitte( 'rom rkham si"teen #earsbe'oreK an( u on being re'use(2 ga9e a signal

*hi&h re&i itate( a sho&king riot. The 'ien(s ha(beaten2 tram le(2 an( bitten e9er# atten(ant *ho(i( not 'leeK killing 'our an( 'inall# su&&ee(ing inthe liberation o' the monster. Those 9i&tims *ho&oul( re&all the e9ent *ithout h#steria s*ore thatthe &reatures ha( a&te( less like men than likeunthinkable automata gui(e( b# the *a"-'a&e(lea(er. 3# the time hel &oul( be summone(2e9er# tra&e o' the men an( o' their ma( &hargeha( 9anishe(.

22


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From the hour o' rea(ing this item until mi(mght2West sat almost aral#se(. t mi(night the(oorbell rang2 startling him 'ear'ull#. ll theser9ants *ere aslee in the atti&2 so I ans*ere(the bell. s I ha9e tol( the oli&e2 there *as no

*agon in the street2 but onl# a grou o' strange-looking 'igures bearing a large sGuare bo" *hi&hthe# (e osite( in the hall*a# a'ter one o' them

ha( grunte( in a highl# unnatural 9oi&e2 M5" ressL re ai(.N The# 'ile( out o' the house *ith a Eerk# trea(2 an( as I *at&he( them go I ha( ano(( i(ea that the# *ere turning to*ar( thean&ient &emeter# on *hi&h the ba&k o' the houseabutte(. When I slamme( the (oor a'ter themWest &ame (o*nstairs an( looke( at the bo". It

*as about t*o 'eet sGuare2 an( bore WestJs&orre&t name an( resent a((ress. It also borethe ins&ri tion2 MFrom 5ri& $orelan( /la ham-,ee2 !t. 5loi2 Flan(ers.N !i" #ears be'ore2 inFlan(ers2 a shelle( hos ital ha( 'allen u on the

hea(less reanimate( trunk o' Dr. /la ham-,ee2an( u on the (eta&he( hea( *hi&h L erha s Lha( uttere( arti&ulate soun(s.

West *as not e9en e"&ite( no*. His &on(ition *as more ghastl#.


24/41

9ne rarely encounters a fictional &orld that is #enuinely ne&0 he best onecan ho/e for is a &orld that steals ideas from other sources li'e a ma#/ie+but combines them &ith the author s o&n vision to create somethin#sur/risin# and fresh that you &ant to e7/lore0 he &orld+ or more accurately

&orlds+ of !d! Bots easily fits this descri/tion0

Rather like its author2 3en ,all#2 6(6 3ots is o((2 'unn#2 &hallenging an(mer&urial. It &an be shin# an( e"&iting one moment2 but (ark an( sinister thene"t.

The greatest raise 'or6(6 3ots &omes 'rom therea&tions o' ros e&ti9eame ,ea(ers *hen the#rea( the setting material.ll o' them (e&lare MI *antto run this N but ea&hame ,ea(er has a(i''erent take on the *orl(.!ome see a uto ia2 *hileothers see a (#sto ia2 a

*orl( as messe( u as ouro*n or a strangeP#thonesGue ma( house.

6(6 3ots is nearing&om letion. The bulk o' thesetting is *ritten an( thegame me&hani&s &o9eringbot &reation an( &ombat

are being olishe(. ThePDF is a9ailable 'or re-or(er as art o' the 6(6/ore (9entures?i&kstarter. e"t #ear2aroun( $ar&h2 *e lan torun another ?i&kstarter Eust'or 6(6 3ots to raisemone# 'or e"tensi9eart*ork an( h#si&al rinte(itions.

$eet the bots o' 6(6 3ots an( learn ho* la#ing a robot *orks. In a((ition2 take asli&e out o' the 3ron8e le2 the 6(6 3ots metro olis o' e*est ;ork.

2#

6 d 6 Bots


25/41

%f &etal and&emor' C(i)s robot is (e'ine( as an# automate( ma&hinerogramme( to er'orm s e&i'i& me&hani&al

'un&tions in the manner o' a man. When s eakingabout the 3ots this (e'inition2 *hile &orre&t2 is agross o9ersim li'i&ation.

The 3ots are the sole *orking han(s o' the!#stem o' $etal. The onl# labour humans er'ormthemsel9es is the &reation o' 3ots. The 3ots (oin(ee( er'orm s e&i'i& me&hani&al 'un&tions2 but(e en(ing on the in(i9i(ual 3ot2 those 'un&tions&an range 'rom merel# *orking a &onstru&tion lineor (oing hea9# li'ting to engaging in (i lomathroughout the !#stem o' $etal or lea(ing as&ien&e team as both the &hie' resear&her an( the(atabase. lso2 shooting things. There is ari(i&ulous amount o' shooting things in9ol9e(.

While the# are rogramme(2 the rogramming isso &om le" an( intri&ate it &eases to be truerogramming. !ome*here in the ma8e o'subroutines an( (ata a&kets2 it be&omes *hat&an onl# be (es&ribe( as a true min(2 'ar too (eean( 9arie( 'or a mere rogramming language toe9er (es&ribe Cthough i' #ou *ish to attem t

*riting one #oursel'2 *e *ish #ou goo( lu&k .The# (o in(ee( *ork an( think in the manner o' aman. The 3ot min( has re&ognisable thoughtro&esses2 learning &a abilit# an( emoti9e

res onses. 3ot &an (e9elo its &a abilities an(u gra(e itsel'2 essentiall# *riting its o*n &o(e asthe 3ot (e9elo s its o*n uniGue ersonalit#. Inshort2 *hile a 3ot 'its all the &riteria 'or a robot2 italso 'its all the &riteria 'or a sentient being. The#i&k u ne* i(eas2 im ro9e e"isting skills an( 'ormemotional bon(s2 Eust as a human *oul(.

' &ourse2 3ots an( humans (i''er in man# areas.

Firstl#2 a 3ot is boun( to its 'un&tion. 3ot ma(e'or e" loration e" lores. *arbot 'ights. &leaning (rone &leans. While a human2 no matterho* (e(i&ate(2 o&&asionall# ste s a*a# 'rom (ut#2a 3ot (oes not. Its 'un&tion is its raison d/0tre . 3ot is2 Guite literall#2 ma(e to er'orm its 'un&tionan( uts all their e''ort to*ar(s their goal2 *hetherit be a long-term or short-term (ut#. Ho*e9er2 3otsare &reati9e an( &an &ome u *ith man# 9arie(

*a#s the# &an 'ul'il their (ut#. (esire 'or leisure

(oes o&&asionall# rear its hea(2 but is *i(el#regar(e( as a glit&h2 albeit a harmless one2 in the3ot s rogramming.

!e&on(l#2 a 3ot is &a able o' 'eeling2 but ten(s notto (o so to e"&ess. 3ots are as &a able o' rage2

Eo#2 sorro*2 'ear an( other emotions as a humanbeing2 but la&king hormones2 the# are 'ar morea(e t at kee ing them to &ontrolle( le9els.Ho*e9er2 man# 3ots ha9e re orte( a ten(en 'oremotions to buil( u o9er time an( 3ots thatsur9i9e multi le #ears &an (e9elo Guite e"tremean( nuan&e( emotional res onses.

)f ) 9nly Had A Heart3ots &ome in man# sha es an( si8es2 'rom thehulking Hea9# &a able o' li'ting buil(ings2 to theHumanoi( that en&a sulates human gra&e2 to thelittle Ho9er(rone onl# built to s*ee the 'loors. ;et2the# all ha9e one thing in &ommon: ho* the# area&ti9ate(. There *as a te&hni&al name 'or it on&e2but it has been 'orgotten b# all but the most(iligent engineers an( historians. e* te&hni&alterms 'or it are born all the time2 as in9entorsmake slight t*eaks2 aestheti& &hanges an(

e"&laim the# ha9e &reate( something entirel# ne*.The# ha9en t. These (a#s the ma&hine that bringsa 3ot to li'e is kno*n b# a sim le2 la#man s name:the g#ros&o i& heart.

t its most basi& le9el2 a g#ros&o i& heart &onsistso' a small 'uel &hamber2 a s inning ring an( anassortment o' mi&ro&hi s to store a 3ot s memor#an( rogramming &entres. When the heart isla&e( insi(e a /hassis an( its 'uel &hamber is

'ille( *ith a uniGue &hemi&al &om oun(2 the truemar9el ha ens. The rings start s inning an( the

heart starts ro&essing the 'uel. *eb o' &ir&uitr#e" an(s 'rom the heart that &lings to an( burro*sinsi(e the metal 'rame o' the soon-to-be 3ot in a&ru(e2 but e''e&ti9e &o # o' the human ner9ouss#stem. Thus2 the 3ot is born.

t this oint2 an# a((itional te&hnolog# the 3ot issu ose( to ha9e is Gui&kl# an( skil'ull# installe(an( thus is in&lu(e( in this &ir&uitr# ma 2essentiall# be&oming art o' the 3ot s bo(#. The3ot &an use an#thing in&lu(e( in this initial birth o'&ir&uitr# as easil# as i' the a((itions *as its o*nhan(.

When the &ir&uits 'ill the 3ot hea( to toe Cor 'ang to&la*2 (ome to re ulse-li't an( so on 2 the heartsets u a basi& o erating s#stem an( then 'allsba&k on its rimar# ur ose. The heart a(a ts the&om oun( that

initiate( its s#stems into a nigh-e9erlasting 'uelan( um s it through the s#stem2 kee ing the 3oto*ere( 'or ho*e9er long that turns out to be. !o'ar2 no 3ot has e9er su&&umbe( to ol( age .

ne ke# element o' this metho( o' birth is a 3ot&an be ma(e out o' an# material that has su''i&ientthi&kness to hol( the *eb o' &ir&uits. 3ot is bornmentall# mature2 kno*ing ho* to s eak2 mo9e an(all that other lo9el# stu'' humans take hal' a(e&a(e to i&k u .

2$


26/41

Phle#matic+ %holeric+ $etallur#icThere *as on&e a time *hen humourism rule(. Webelie9e( the balan&e o' substan&es *ithin ourbo(ies (e'ine( an( a''e&te( human ersonalit#traits. The 'our humours2 bla&k an( #ello* biles2bloo( an( hlegm2 also in'luen&e( o inions on anin(i9i(ual s general health.

When the &on&e t is a lie( to 3ots2 it seems toha9e some truth to it. The substan&es in a 3ot s/hassis &an ha9e an e''e&t on the 'ormation o' a3ot s &ir&uitr# an( ho* it rela#s an( res on(s toin'ormation. This in turn a''e&ts ho* the 3otres on(s an( rea&ts to its stimuli. $u&h like theol( &on&e ts o' the &holeri&2 melan&holi&2sanguine an( hlegmati&2 &ertain ersonalit# traits&an be assigne( to 3ots o' &ertain materials.

"teel!teel is &onsi(ere( the material that a''e&ts

ersonalit# the least. 3ots ma(e o' steel ha9e noinherent bias to*ar(s &ertain traits or beha9iours.The# start tabula rasa2 blank slates *ith 'ree reignto (etermine ho* the# gro* an( a&t o9er time.

)ronIron is so &onsistent in its re utation that it ser9esas the baseline metal 'or (etermining the strengthso' others. 3ots ma(e 'rom it ten( to be the strong2silent t# e2 onl# s eaking *hen ne&essar#. The#shoul(er 9ast labours an( strenuous tasks *ith no&om laint an( ri(e out their troubles *ith(etermination. The# like to kee bus#2 but 'or alltheir silen&e are sur risingl# so&iable an( like tobe aroun( others. Iron rusts i' le't alone 'or toolong.

oldol( is 9aluable2 an( 3ots ma(e 'rom it &ertainl#think themsel9es so. /on'i(ent to a 'ault an(9erging on ego&entri&2 gol( 3ots are ne9ertheless&harismati& an( able to im ress others *ith sheerst#le or ostentatiousness. ol( 3ots get alonges e&iall# *ell *ith humans2 *ho ha9e aremarkable ten(en to 'o&us all their attention ongol(.

%o//er/o er is an e"&ellent &on(u&tor use( in&ountless allo#s2 an( 3ots ma(e 'rom it take a'terthese Gualities. The# are great organisers an(su orters2 an( al*a#s ha # to hel . The# are(ra*n to roles as &ouriers C&arr#ing something'rom la&e to la&e is inherent to &o er 2me&hme(i&s an( a(ministration (uties. 'rien(ma(e o' &o er is a lo#al an( su orti9e 'rien(in(ee(.

"ilvern e9en better &on(u&tor than &o er2 sil9er 3otsha9e taken it u on themsel9es to &arr# not Eustai(2 but i(eas. The# ten( to be o' either an artisti&

or oliti&al bent. $an# o' the greatest artisans an(a&ti9ists among 3ots ha9e been 'orge( o' sil9er.The# are &reati9e2 e" ressi9e an( ten( to ha9e agreat a*areness o' themsel9es an( others aroun(them. !il9er 3ots are o'ten the 'astest toe" erien&e emotional a*akening an( to ro9oke itin others.

Lead lea( 3ot is 'ar less (ense than one *oul( think2at least in mental terms. The# ten( to*ar(s beingmetho(i&al lanners an( er'e&tionists in theirgi9en 'iel(2 *hether the# are *orking to im ro9eon &urrent terramor hing te&h or learning ho* toun&h out a goreba(ger in 1ust the right la&e.

;uic'silverWe ha9e no &lue *ho thought making mer&ur#sentient *as a goo( i(ea. 3ots 'orme( 'romGui&ksil9er thank'ull# sto ro(u&ing ma((ening'umes Ce"&e t *hen the# *ant to 2 but make u 'or

it b# being 'rustrating in other *a#s. n'o&use(2rone to *r# &omments an( o''-kilter humour2

ha9ing moo( s*ings an( being2 *ell2 mer&urial2these 3ots are har( to get along *ith to all but themost atient o' &om anions. nl# their sheer&reati9it# an( Gui&k thinking kee s them inro(u&tion.

(ood$aking a 3ot 'rom *oo( #iel(s interesting results.Woo(en 3ots ten( to be Guite alien 'rom their&om atriots an( mu&h more *illing to trust their

instin&ts than the rea(outs on their H D or thehar( 'a&ts in their (atabase. The# are alsoreno*ne( 'or getting along *ell *ith animals2 anin9aluable talent on 5arth 59ol9e(.

Plasticarentl# the material most ele&troni&s *ere

&ase( in be'ore the in9ention o' 3ots2 lasti& has'allen largel# out o' 'a9our2 as 3ots ma(e 'rom itten( to look rett# &ree # to humans. I' the# arenot sleek an( im ressi9e2 the# are un&ann# sho -

*in(o* (umm# monstrosities to human e#es.

ther 3ots ten( not to min(. *are o' thisre utation2 3ots ma(e o' lasti& ten( to a&ti9el#&ulti9ate morbi( an( &ree # ersonalities2 though

Eust as man# attem t to 'it in an( mimi& normalhuman beha9iour. Ironi&all#2 the latter is o'ten 'armore (is&on&erting.

"cra/!&ra 3ots are Guite literall# &obble( together 'rom

*hate9er is l#ing aroun(: a bit o' steel2 some tin&ans hammere( 'lat an( lengths o' &able *hen aro er Eoint &oul( not be a''or(e(. The# are o'tensel'-&ons&ious an( irritable2 looking out 'oran#thing that ma# be an insult against them an(Gui&kl# retaliating. This (oes little to im ro9e theirre utation. Their sheer stubborn (etermination an((ri9e to ro9e themsel9es &an o'ten get them ast

26


27/41

hur(les that *oul( &ause man# other 3ots to gi9eu .

9ther $aterials I' a substan&e e"ists2 &han&es are a 3ot has beenma(e out o' it some*here an( 'or some reason2

*hether as a &uriosit# or through sim le la&k o'an# other resour&es. In the !#stem o' $etal2stories aboun( o' 3ots ma(e o' gemstone2 or&oral2 or e9en more esoteri& substan&es.

(hy o Bolts "uddenly A//ear.The la&k o' se"ualit# or e"treme emotionalres onses (oes not mean 3ots are &ol(2 lo9elessbeings. The# still e" erien&e the 'ull s e&trum o'human emotions. This 9er# mu&h in&lu(es the(esire 'or &om anionshi 2 the &a a&it# 'orromanti& 'eelings an(2 *ith time an( lu&k2 lo9e.

Due to &ir&umstan&e2 another 3ot is likel# to bethe target o' these romanti& #earnings. 3ots o'tenli9e together2 'ight together an( get sent o'' onri(i&ulousl# (angerous missions together. It is alltoo &ommon 'or a 3ot s &o(e to (e9elo a s e&ial'ile 'ol(er 'or memories o' that (ream# Hea9# *hoshot a ,u o'' their &hassis. 3ot gen(er i(entit#ten(s not to be a huge issue *hen &hoosing aartner.

/it# humans rarel# gi9e a 3ot the time o' (a#2 letalone be in &lose enough &onta&t that a 3ot startsto *rite rose-tinte( &o(e about them. mong 3ots2human henomenons su&h as lo9e at 'irst sightare rare at best. s their emotions (e9elo slo*l#2so (o their romanti& 'eelings. $ost humans sim l#(on t sti&k aroun( long enough 'or a 3ot to startthinking o' them in that *a#. I' an#*here2 su&h a

roman&e &oul( ha en in a s&a9enger slum2 *here humans an( 3ots are 'or&e( together. 59enthen2 it is unlikel# a human *oul( re&i ro&ate the3ot s 'eelings.

The 'ormation o' these 'eelings2 to*ar(s either 3otor human2 ten(s to be a bit o' a &on'usinge" erien&e 'or a 3ot2 e9en more so than(e9elo ing non-romanti& emotions. It in9ol9es a loto' riorit# shi'ts an( unusuall# 'lo*er# &o(e&ro ing u insi(e the 3ot s ro&esses. $an# *illre ort to the nearest *orksho 2 'earing these&hanges in their ro&esses ma# be the 'irst sign o'gremlini8ation.

n&e the# (is&o9er *hat is reall# going on2 the'irst thing man# 3ots *ill (o is in'orm the re&i iento' these 'eelings. The# &annot *rite rogrammes

*ithout the rele9ant (ata2 o' &ourse. The other 3otthen has time to assemble the a ro riate 'ilesan( either re&i ro&ate or turn (o*n the 'eelings at


28/41

a later (ate. 3ot &ourtshi is o'ten little more thanthis 'irst ro osal an( a sim le 'ormation o' aromanti& bon( 'rom there.

This is2 o' &ourse2 a generalisation. There areman# 3ots out there *ho &ourt in the humantra(ition Calbeit *ith 'ire*all u gra(es rather than'lo*ers an( *in o9er another 3ot *hose initialans*er *as no.

3ots are generall# 9er# atient artners.Ine9itabl#2 some mission or assignment *illse arate them 'rom their aramour at some timeor other. The maEorit# o' 3ots are inure( to this.The# atientl# *ait until some o ortunit# arises tobe *ith their lo9e( one on&e again.

For some though2 the rush o' assion results inthem *riting their o*n mission: M3e *ith the one#ou lo9e.N thers ha9e to trea( &are'ull# aroun(su&h 3ots2 'or the# go to the same lengths as the#

*oul( go 'or an# other mission.

he L A"HWe ha9e all seen the ol( routine *here the robotslo*l# realises its mission *oul( be so mu&heasier to a&&om lish i' it *ere not 'or all the 'lesh#humans in its *a#. /ue ram age. Fortunatel#2 thehumans o' the !#stem o' $etal *ere not ignoranto' this &on&e t an( in9ente( a *orkaroun( a'ter amere 'e* (o8en robots ha( gone irre9o&abl#insane.

The ,5 !H2 stan(ing 'or ,a*s an( 5thi&s&&essible !torage Hub2 is2 sim l# ut2 human

moralit# in all its &om le"ities e" resse( 9iarogramming language. robot *ith the ,5 !H

installe( not onl# gains a list o' rohibite( a&tions2but also 9ie*s an( res on(s to those a&tions as ahuman *oul(. The ,5 !H is an un(erstan(ingan( mimi&king o' the human &ons&ien&e2 butunlike a &ons&ien&e2 it &annot be &om letel#ignore(.

Pullin# the L A"H

The ,5 !H is *ritten in su&h a 'ashion an#rogrammer2 no matter ho* no9i&e2 &an get into

the rogram an( en'or&e the 3ot s moralit#. With a'e* ke#strokes2 a 3ot &an be ren(ere( in&a ableo' er'orming a&ts the ,5 !H re&ognises asimmoral or illegal. I' a 3ot ha( its ,5 !H altere(to make stealing an una&&e table a&t2 its &hassis

*oul( 'ree8e the moment its 'ingers Cor rele9anta en(age tou&he( the ill-gotten gain2rea&ti9ating onl# *hen the 3ot aban(one( thea&tion. Restri&tions &an be remo9e( Eust as easil#2gi9ing the 3ot as mu&h 'ree rein o9er its a&tions as

a human has.(Eusting a 3ot s moral &o(e is kno*n astightening or loosening the ,5 !H2 an( all mannero' ,5 !H arrangements e"ist. !ome 3ots are

in&a able o' e9en insulting a human2 *hile others

ha9e 'ree rein to steal2 break or e9en kill 'or theirmission.

s a rule2 3ots (o not min( the ,5 !H. $an# takeit to heart as a human embra&es their o*n lessliteral moral &o(e. ,ike*ise2 loosening an(tightening the ,5 !H a ears to &ause little issue. human is unishe( i' the# er'orm su&h an a&t2but a 3ot &an be sa'el# re9ente( 'rom &riminalit#an( a9oi( unishment. ((l# enough2 man# 3otsha9e sai( this *ith a seething un(ertone in their9o"

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