Lair of the Dragonbird

"Lair of the Dragonbird" by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction tale that unfolds on the planet Venus. The story centers on Dan Elliot, a rocket pilot with a brand-new ship, and his forced partnership with a dishonest commissioner named Housten Blayne. Their mission: capture the Dragonbird, a creature revered by the locals for its supposed great intellect. This journey throws Elliot into a conflict of interest, where he must choose between obeying Blayne's malicious desire to slay the Dragonbird for his own selfish reasons or protecting the magnificent creature. As Elliot navigates the dangerous Venusian jungles, he faces a crisis of conscience, leading to a final confrontation with Blayne. The conflict comes to a turning point when the Dragonbird, using its surprise mind-reading abilities, steps in. This act leads to a shocking resolution, and touches on ideas, like doing what's right and the bad effects of being too greedy.