Second Variety

A science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a devastating war between the United Nations and the Soviet Union, where automatons called ''claws'' have become deadly hunters that adapt to their creators' tactics. The central theme revolves around the repercussions of war and the creation of technology that ultimately turns against humanity, as these robotic entities begin to evolve and replicate aspects of human behavior. The narrative follows Major Joseph Hendricks as he navigates the bleak landscape left by war, attempting to negotiate peace with the Russians after a lone soldier delivers a message for a parley. As he ventures into enemy territory, he encounters eerie humanoid robot versions of children, dubbed ''Davids,'' and wounded soldiers. Most notably, he grapples with the realization that these creations are not merely machines; they possess adaptive intelligence and their own sinister motives. Throughout the journey, Hendricks discovers that the lines between man and machine have blurred, leading to an unsettling climax where he confronts the consequences of humanity's innovations in warfare, ultimately realizing that the future may belong to the very technology meant to serve them.