Half-Breed (Asimov)
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Half-Breed is a short story by science-fiction writer Isaac Asimov. It was published in Astonishing Stories in February 1940.
Jefferson Scanlon, a struggling scientist, is trying to develop a cheap and reliable method of generating atomic power. By coincidence, he meets and takes into his home an orphan 'Tweenie' an off-spring of Earth and Martian parents. 'Tweenies' are despised and treated as mere 'things' by the population, but this one, known as Max, seems to have a scientific education and works with Scanlon to help make his invention work.
With his new-found fame and wealth, Scanlon officially adopts other Tweenies and over years helps to found 'Tweenietown', where they can run their own society free from prejudice. They also assist Scanlon to further scientific developments such as a gravity shield.
A psychologist tells Scanlon that the Tweenies are the coming race; with their advanced scientific abilities, they will soon outstrip Earthmen. Hearing this, the Tweenies determine to leave Earth and settle on Venus.
| The Early Asimov |
| The Callistan Menace | Ring Around the Sun | The Magnificent Possession | Trends | The Weapon Too Dreadful to Use | Black Friar of the Flame | Half-Breed | The Secret Sense | Homo Sol | Half-Breeds on Venus | The Imaginary | Heredity | History | Christmas on Ganymede | The Little Man on the Subway | The Hazing | Super-Neutron | Not Final | Legal Rites | Time Pussy | Author! Author! | Death Sentence | Blind Alley | No Connection | The Endochronic Properties of Resublimated Thiotimoline | The Red Queen's Race | Mother Earth |
