Communication with the non-human inhabitants of Jupiter has been achieved, but when the Jovians discover that they are communicating with off-worlders, they are horrified and swear to destroy all the vermin. The real problem is that they may not be able to leave the planet—only a force field could hold the tremendous pressures of the Jovian atmosphere in space, but a force-field hull is too unstable, so humanity may be safe. Or maybe not.

I do like this story, but not nearly as much as "Victory Unintentional,” its sequel, which ties it into the robot stories. The characters are forgettable, and it’s only the problem itself and its final, unexpected resolution that are of interest.

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