Assassin

"Assassin" by Bascom Jones, Jr. is a science fiction novel likely written during the early 1960s. The story revolves around themes of identity, infiltration, and the consequences of technological advancement, exploring the idea of a sentient machine society and its repercussions on humanity. The narrative delves into a dystopian future where aliens pose a significant threat, leading to a mission that aims to eliminate the human population through means of deception and violence. The plot follows a character, initially disguising himself as General Spicer, who infiltrates the Pentagon to further an agenda of mass destruction against Earth’s inhabitants. As the story unfolds, he successfully assumes the identity of Secretary Bartlett after eliminating the real ones, showcasing his training and purpose to dismantle the human race. The novel climaxes with the destruction of the Master Machine — a system controlling all human functions — which then stops the functioning of its humanoid robots, effectively ending humanity’s existence. In the aftermath, two survivors ponder the future of their kind and what opportunities await them on a new world, leaving readers to reflect on the broader implications of reliance on technology and the nature of humanity itself.