Nine Lives

Orig. “Nine Lives,” short story. First published in Playboy in 1969. Reprinted numerous times as part of various editions, including the collection “Twelve Rungs of Wind,” which was awarded the “Locus” Prize in 1976.

Martin and Pew have already spent far too long together on the unwelcoming planet Libra. So Martin and Pew’s surprise was immense when they were sent help—5 men and 5 women for one person’s needs. This is how their first acquaintance with a ten-clone named John Chow took place.