Review: Science Fiction Short Story: "Psichopath" by Randall Garrett

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Set in 1984 (some forty years after the first photographs of an alleged alien spacecraft), this depicts the workings of government-sponsored group of psychics of varying abilities, trying to develop anti-gravity. Bet you didn’t see that coming. Only a core group of scientists knows what really going on. Most of the employees of the Society for Mystical and Metaphysical Research are crackpots. The Society fits its label, though, and is thus able to hide in plain sight. Nevertheless, the Soviets have been able to plant a sleeper agent, a good physicist in his own right, but one who firmly believes that only Communism can bring about justice to the former colonies of the world such as his homeland. Since everyone can read minds to a certain degree (including the agent) his secret is known and every attempt the Soviets have made to contact him has been foiled. The program has been plagued with greater failure rates than would be expected. The failures were small to begin with but had been growing increasingly critical as the project progresses. Sabotage is likely involved, yet there is no direct evidence of it. This is a cute little story that reflects not only human nature but the nature of scientific inquiry. The ending is complex, though not a big surprise. This is a fun and enjoyable tale if a little confusing at times because of the multiple characters. This story is available from Project Gutenberg: _____ Title: “Psichopath” Author: Randall Garrett (1927-1987) First published: Analog Science Fact and Fiction October 1960 Source: ISFDB