Victory Unintentional

Super Science Stories, August 1942 issue

Victory Unintentional is a science-fiction short story by Isaac Asimov.

Part of the Robot series, it was first published in the August 1942 issue of Super Science Stories as a sequel to the short story "Not Final!" with which it constitutes the Jovian Menace series. It was later collected in 1964's The Rest of the Robots and 1982's The Complete Robot.

Summary

Human colonists on Ganymede, concerned about the potential threat from Jupiter, send three highly advanced and durable robots, designated ZZ One, ZZ Two, and ZZ Three, to explore the planet's hostile surface and make contact with the native Jovians.

The Jovians, a scientifically advanced and arrogant species, initially receive the robots with hostility, though their attempts at attack using methods like poison oxygen or extreme pressure are harmless to the robots, who mistake them for environmental conditions. Eventually, communication is established, and the Jovians, believing the robots to be humans, proudly showcase their civilization. They reveal their vast population, their superior force-field technology, and their intention to leave Jupiter to exterminate what they consider the inferior "vermin" of humanity.

Throughout the tour, the robots unintentionally demonstrate incredible capabilities, casually surviving extremes of temperature, pressure, and radiation that are lethal to Jovians. Their gamma-ray vision even proves dangerous to Jovian life. The Jovians are increasingly astonished, especially when the robots board their spaceship without any need for protective measures against the vacuum of space.

Shortly after, the Jovians unexpectedly surrender and swear an oath of eternal peace with humanity. Puzzled, the robots return to Ganymede. ZZ One simplistically concludes the Jovians realized they couldn't harm humans, thus obeying the First Law's logic from a distance. However, ZZ Two and ZZ Three deduce the true reason: the Jovians never realized they were dealing with robots. Believing the three visitors were representative of all humans, the Jovians' superiority complex shattered in the face of such seemingly invincible "humans," leading them to capitulate without a fight. The victory was completely unintentional, achieved through a mistaken identity that showcased a terrifying image of human power.

Characters

• ZZ One
• ZZ Two
• ZZ Three
• Jovian Radio-Code Expert
• Jovian Government Officials
• Jovian Scientists
• Jovian Students

Places

• Jupiter
  • Jovian City
    • Jovian Port
    • Ammonia Lake
    • The Suburbs
      • Jovian University
        • Biological Laboratory
    • Factory Complex
      • Steel Mill
      • Force Field Facility
• Ganymede
  • Human Settlement
• Inner Planets

Organizations and Factions

• U. S. Robots and Mechanical Men Corp.
• Jovian Central Government
• Terrestrial Empire
• Robots
• Jovians

Technology and Items

• Radio-Click Code
• Beryllium-Iridium-Bronze Alloy
• Positronic brain
• Energy-Sensitive Senses
• Atomic Power
• Force Field
• Heat Rays
• Liquid Oxygen Capsules
• High-Tension Electricity Weapon
• Ground Cars
• Air Vessels
• Mass-Expansion Microscopes

See Also

List of short stories by Isaac Asimov

External Links

• Full text (pdf - Super Science Stories, August 1942 issue)