Jag tror att detta är Ett mirakel av sällsynt design av Mike Resnick, som också var ämnet på frågan Boka om en man skickad till flera planeter, förändrad kirurgiskt för att passa in med utlänningar .
Protaganisten är Xavier William Lennox som är en författare till främmande resebildningar. Som du säger, genomgår han kirurgiska modifieringar för att få honom att se ut som utlänningarna han forskar på.
I slutet av boken får han veta:
“I've just come back from the Department's headquarters on Deluros VIII,” she continued. “Our budget has been cut—well, re-directed, actually—and your particular project has lost its funding.” She paused, trying to discern a reaction, but finding none. “It makes very little difference anyway. As I told you after your last surgery, it is the opinion of Dr. Ngoni's staff that you can only survive one more transformation.”
Lennox merely stared at her, as if waiting for her to continue.
“In appreciation for your unique services to the Republic, they have set aside enough money to pay for that transformation, but since we have no assignment for you, you are free to choose any race you want—or to go back to being a Man.”
Hans svar är:
“Dr. Ngoni says you can choose any oxygen-breathing race except for the Domarians and the Mollutei.”
I KNOW WHAT I WANT.
“Good. What is it?”
WATCH.
He entered a number of commands, and the machine slowly pieced together a holograph in response to them.
“I've never seen such a thing before,” said Nora, studying the image. “It's quite beautiful.” She stared at it intently. “One might almost say awesome. What planet does it live on?”
NONE. Then he added: YET.
“Is it your own creation?” she asked, surprised that she wasn't more surprised.
YOUR CREATION. MY DESIGN.