Operation Dynamo, May 1940

[Kafka BC]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

It reminds me of Larry Niven's "Piersons Puppeteers". They were a three-legged two-headed alien race who were all cowards. Their leader was the most cowardly, and was affectionately called "The Hindmost".

Gosh, I haven't read Niven in years, one of the last of the great "Old School" SF writers.

Forget the Kzinti, the Pierson's Puppeteers were by far the most interesting and original alien race ever invented. Any that were met in Niven's books were, by their own standards, quite insane...since no "sane" Puppeteer would leave the safety of their home planet and travel offworld.

If I remember correctly you certainly couldn't make them "Be More Aggressive", with the possible exception of Nessus from Ringworld. They were, however, pretty adept at manipulating events behind the scenes and getting others to do their dirty work...all in the interests of their own safety of course.

Do you think Jim appreciates the parallel?

- Kafka BC