Scout's species are an unnamed alien species from an unknown planet, who arrived on Earth to collect lifeforms from Earth.
Biology[]
Little is known of Scout's species true physiology. Their method of communication comes out as a strange sound somewhat resembling a high-pressure jet of air, seemingly made by hand movements, and they are able to telepathically influence animals with another motion of their hand, able to make animals freeze in place or stop being aggressive. They are able to survive in an Earth-like environment. The only member of this species seen by Humans, Scout, was merely disguised as a Human, leaving the true form of this species unknown, although it remains likely that they are at least humanoid, as Scout's technology and abilities appeared to be oriented around a humanoid figure.
Culture and society[]
Scout's species is known to have a group of scientists who venture to other planets and collect lifeforms from them, cryogenically storing all captured specimens, whether they be sapient or not. They appear to have some difficulty expressing emotions, although they appear to be familiar with the concept of caring for their families. Despite this, they often do not see or ignore the same connections between members of other sapient species, possibly due to xenophobia. Scout also appeared to be a little confused when asked if his wife worked, implying that either "work" has no equivalent in his species' language, or that his species has a patriarchal society where females do not work. While they appear to have no qualms about kidnapping sapient individuals as an extension of their nearly emotionless attitudes and duties as collectors, at least one member of this species has been known to refuse to bring back a sapient specimen due to seeing a loving familial connection between the specimen and its parent firsthand. Scout claimed to have been from an "industrial firm" seeking new places to build properties, and given his name, it is likely that his species is heavily industrialized and seeks out new habitable planets to colonize, and the specimen collection is a way of analyzing the native ecosystems.
Technology[]
Scout utilizing a communications relay without physical contact
Scout's species has developed advanced space-faring technology, teleporters, computer interfaces that function without physical contact, and are able to disguise their large spacecraft as simple motor homes. Their ships, which resemble cylinders with spinning rings of light when taking off, are equipped with cryogenic storage units and a real-time interstellar communicator, with technology that appears to be built for a humanoid user, albeit a telepathic one. The interstellar communications console does not appear to have any physical controls, but does have a screen displaying black and white squares, possibly a representation of a signal. While Scout was seen freezing animals and teleporting them into his ship, it is unknown if this was done with a technology, a physiological power, or a mix of both. They are also able to create Human disguises, which even enable them to bleed and speak. When their ships are leaving orbit, they appear to be wrapped in multicolored clouds, and then vanish, as if they are teleporting or cloaking, or possibly entering a form of hyperspace.
History[]
In the late 20th century, a member of this species, assigned as a scout to Earth, arrived in the guise of a Human living in a motor home. He attempts to abduct a deer, but is interrupted by a Human boy named Danny. He and Danny exchange greetings, with the scout introducing himself as Scout, asking Danny about native lifeforms, not knowing what any of them are. Danny explains what the animals are, then asks Scout where he's from, to which Scout replies that he's from somewhere distant. Danny invites Scout to dinner before leaving, and Scout continues examining lifeforms, abducting a deer. Later, Scout arrives for dinner, and although Danny's mother initially doesn't want to let him in, she changes her mind and allows him to enter. Scout notices the family dog growling at him, but quiets it down with his alien abilities. At dinner, Scout tells Danny and his mother that he is working for an industrial firm, and says that he has a family, also hearing that Danny's mother has to work nights often and leaves Danny alone during those times. Before Scout leaves, Danny lets him borrow a flashlight.
Scout's ship takes off
The next day, while Danny is at school and his mother is at work, Scout returns to their home and abducts their dog, and meets Danny when he arrives, with the borrowed flashlight. When Danny tries to say that his mother had told him to stay home and not meet with Scout, Scout claims that both Danny's mother and dog are at his home. Danny goes with him, allowing Scout to cryogenically freeze him within the ship. He then returns to Danny's home, meeting Danny's mother when she arrives, and when she asks for help in looking for Danny and the dog, Scout seemingly agrees, having her check the creek while he returns to his ship. Aboard the ship, he prepares to leave, informing his superiors of his successful collection of specimens, but then, remembering the connection Danny had with his mother, asks about his own family, being told that they are well. Looking back at Danny and seeing that the love between members of a family is a concept that exists across species, Scout leaves Danny behind with his mother, and takes off with other captured animals.
Appearances[]
- The Twilight Zone, s03e52, "Stranger in Possum Meadows" (1989)