The Human Edge

Copyright

This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

“Danger—Human,” first published in Astounding Science Fiction, December 1957, © 1957 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. “Sleight of Wit,” first published in Analog, December 1961, © 1961 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc. “In the Bone,” first published in IF: Worlds of Science Fiction, October 1966, © 1966 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation. “3-Part Puzzle,” first published in Analog, June 1962, © 1962 by the Condé Nast Publications, Inc. “An Ounce of Emotion,” first published in IF: Worlds of Science Fiction, October, 1965, © 1965 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation. “Brother Charlie,” first published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, July 1958, © 1958 by Mercury Press, Inc. “The Game of Five,” first published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, April 1960, © 1960 by Mercury Press, Inc. “Tiger Green,” first published in IF: Worlds of Science Fiction, November 1965, © 1965 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation. “The Hard Way,” first published in Analog, January 1963, © 1963 by the Condé Nast Publications, Inc. “Jackal’s Meal,” first published in Analog, June 1969, © 1969 by the Condé Nast Publications, Inc. “On Messenger Mountain,” first published in Worlds of Tomorrow, June 1964, © 1964 by Galaxy Publishing Corporation. “The Catch,” first published in Astounding Science Fiction, April 1959, © 1959 by Street & Smith Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

A Baen Book

Baen Publishing Enterprises

P.O. Box 1403

Riverdale, NY 10471

www.baen.com

ISBN: 0-7434-7174-1

Cover art by David Mattingly

First printing, December 2003

Distributed by Simon & Schuster

1230 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

Typeset by Bell Road Press, Sherwood, OR

Produced by Windhaven Press, Auburn, NH

Printed in the United States of America