You can wish anything, and the wish will be fulfilled; but your worst enemy will get twice as that. What can you think of besides classical “put out one of my eyes”?The story was first published in Playboy magazine in March 1970.

"Yes sir. Well, there are three men outside trying to kill me....""Quite right," Mr. Frendlyer said. "And today is Landing Day. You came off the ship that landed today, and have been classified a peon.... I'm happy to say that everything is in order. The Landing Day Hunt ends at sundown. You can leave here with the knowledge that everything is correct and that your rights have not been violated.""Leave here? After sundown, you mean."Mr. Frendlyer shook his head and smiled sadly. "I'm afraid not. According to the law you must leave here at once.""But they'll kill me!""That's very true. Unfortunately it can't be helped. A victim by definition is one who is to be killed.... We protect rights, not victims."OMEGA: PRISON PLANETLIFE EXPECTANCY: THREE YEARSMAXIMUMMOST PEOPLE ARELUCKIER THAN THAT....

The Status Civilization concerns Will Barrent, a man who finds himself, without memory of any crime or, indeed, of his previous life, being shipped across space to the planet Omega.Omega, used to imprison extreme offenders, has a hierarchical society of extreme brutality, where the only way to advance (and avoid dying) is to commit an endless series of crimes. The average life expectancy from time of arrival on Omega is three years. The story concerns Barrent’s attempt to survive, escape, and return to Earth to clear himself of the accusations against him.

Copyright © 1960 by Robert SheckleyFirst appeared under the title Omega in Amazing Science Fiction Stories, published by Ziff-Davis.The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Status Civilization, by Robert SheckleyThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away orre-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included online at www.gutenberg.orgTitle: The Status CivilizationAuthor: Robert SheckleyRelease Date: March 28, 2007 [EBook #20919]Language: English

Mokslinės fantastikos istorijųrinkinys:Kelionė į žemęLikvidacijos tarnybaAkademijaLorėjaus šiukšlininkasDėl ko verta gyventiBandomasis pavyzdysZuikisMinimalus žmogusFormaSpecialistasDemonaiPieno furgono reisasRitualas„Ieškotojų ypatingasisTrys Beno Baksterio mirtysGlobaŽmogaus naštaOrderis žmogžudysteiŠis tas veltui

Destroying the spirit of the enemy is the goal of war and the aliens had the best way!

Destroying the spirit of the enemy is the goal of war and the aliens had the best way!

Originaltitel: DIMENSION OF MIRACLES