SOURCE: "The Brain Pirates" by John W. Campbell  ( Thrilling Wonder Stories, October 1938 )

DESCRIPTION: "'A krull is somewhat like your monkey. A higher species. Quite intelligent. Delights in mischief. Smaller than we are, and very bony...' Rabbit-earred, rabbit-faced, four-limbed creature the size of a ten-year-old child, it had a surprisingly chunky body. Details ofarms and legs were rather blurred, as both were working with a truly amazing detemination and efficiency...The red faded gradually into a handsome purple body, marked by a large and unnaturally brilliant orange stripe down the middle of the back." ("The Brain Pirates" by John W. Campbell)

NOTES: The Krull possess the ability to shield their existance from other minds. Because of this the Pornun, humans who have evolved on their heavy gravity planet, must wear protective suits that make them look grossly fat like the Michelen Man because the Krull cause so many accidents. Penton and Blake solve the Pornun's krull problem by using extremely bright atomic flashslights to blind the krull.

HISTORY: The title suggests a very different idea but the "pirates" in this case are mental ones. Another story in the same series is called "The Brain Stealers of mars", again telepathic not "They've stolen Spock's brain" type thieves.
 
 

1938 original and 1952 reprint

---