This episode of "Unusual Sentient Beings of the Universe", will be substituted for an encore presentation of "The Fall of a House on Planet Yoos'R.

This is planet Yoos'R. As you can see it has a lovely green tinted atmosphere with nicely reddish seas. The citizens fall well within the norms for space faring biped races.

I became friends with a man there after meeting him at a technological symposium. I was there in my role as a traveling reporter. He invited me to visit his home and research lab (just generally to introduce his planet to others in the galaxy).

His planet shared a mirror planet on a nearby plane. Those that were men on this planet Yoos'R, were women on the other plane. They were technologically advanced enough to have personal area trans-planar fields. Beings could swap to the alternate person on the mirror plane. It is not a rare technology, but the mirror condition is rare.

He did show it. The minor physiological changes were interesting. This being did not become engaged in the change. The discussion essentially kept the same pace and topic.

Swapping back to his male form, he became animated in a particular project. He would create a field in his home that allowed both physical and soul portions of them to coexist in their homes.

At the moment, his project would let them to be in a room divided by an arch. One of them on one side of the arch and the other directly across from it.

By agreement, I stayed just outside that room. It worked as they hoped. Not too surprising since it was not the first test of their equipment. They described in vocal unison that this was a bit better than the established technology.

Rather than having to experience the differences in emotions, you simply ask the other party how they felt. Gaining the benefit of years as that gender just by asking to other party.

The female version remarked how this advantage might help them both in being better in awkward social situations.

I promised to return for a follow up once they had formally submitted the work as a scientific and technological effort. It did not appear in any way to be a break through. Just not something much heard about.

About a year later, I was asked to visit again. They had widened the field, so they could have adjoining living space. They were not making any attempt to touch, which would have been an incredible field effect to overcome.

They discussed dates and social events which they both had experienced with more confidence on their respective planes. When I asked if they had social prospects, they became peacefully reflective.

"Yes, quite any number of candidates."

I left them. It was a novel arrangement. I worried that they were so compatible with each other on a conversational level and with common interests. It might make it hard to find a compatible person. They were technological specialists on a world that favored financial success. Having a perfect friend might be a hindrance to finding nice mates.

On the day that the universe suffered a pinion snap; I received an urgent message. "Please come, I need your help."

When the pinion snapped, planes in the universe were shifting slightly and some were reverberating. The experimental trans-planar field was not engineered for that level of movement.

Arriving at the house, he walked straight to the shared area. I remained outside. The female version was obviously trapped physically just on the other side. Only a slow change in expression was to be seen. He asked for help and advice.

I quickly saw that the systems were giving way. I entered his side of the room and tried to pull him away. He never took his eyes off his mirror plane version. He stood firm.

I ran out quickly and kept running. The region around the house was sucked into a pinpoint, leaving only dirt and the signs of underground utility and piping.

The experiment had proven fatally disastrous.

In reflection and having discussed the tragedy with others; I reject the idea that he became froze in fear. Seeing one part of them as being sure to die, he could not move.

I am sure it was more compassionate. Seeing fear expressed on a face that would so perfectly meet his expectations for that kind of expression; he could not abandon her.

So, this presentation ends on a cautionary note. Other pinions of the universe are damaged (weakened). Be aware and avoid risks to life. Do not let a span of thousands of years since the snap, allow you to become complacent.

As I travel the galaxy, I ask others in my field to report this story. Do not forget "The Fall of a House on Planet Yoos'R". I hear it is retold by many species with only minor changes.

Please view us next time on Unusual Sentient Beings of the Universe!