Astounding Stories, May, 1931

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

30532

Title

Astounding Stories, May, 1931

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in a future New York where vertical flight is commonplace, this novelette follows Walter Harkness, a visionary industrialist who defies skepticism to pursue space travel. After a catastrophic earthquake and a botched moon mission, Harkness and his pilot Chet Bullard launch a rescue mission to save Diane, a woman trapped by alien serpent-creatures in the upper atmosphere. A thrilling tale of courage, scientific ambition, and survival against cosmic horrors.

Summary up to 500 words

In 1973, Walter Harkness, a young heir to a transportation empire, stands on the 159th floor of New York's Transportation Building. Despite his father's legacy and the success of his company, Harkness is haunted by a hunch that humanity must conquer space. He ignores his lawyer Warrington's warnings about the dangers of space travel, recalling past failures like McInness's crash and Haldgren's mysterious disappearance into the void. Harkness dreams of shooting a ship through the repelling area into space, a feat deemed impossible by the Stratosphere Control Board. A massive earthquake strikes, destroying Harkness's office and killing his lawyer Warrington. Harkness escapes in his small speedster, only to be framed by his rival, Herr Schwartzmann, for attacking him and fleeing to Vienna. Realizing the trap, Harkness and his trusted pilot, Chet Bullard, transfer the firm's rights to Schwartzmann and flee to the frozen north to launch their experimental ship. They prepare to break through the atmosphere's repelling barrier. As they ascend, they encounter a terrifying reality: the space above is not empty but filled with writhing, serpent-like alien creatures that hunt and devour airships. They discover Diane Vernier, a woman from Harkness's past, trapped in a red ship being attacked by these beasts. Harkness, initially telling himself he has forgotten her, is overcome with a frenzy to save her. Chet Bullard, a master pilot, maneuvers their ship to ram the alien swarm, sacrificing their own vessel's stability to clear a path. They use rescue magnets to pull Diane's ship from the clutches of the monsters. The story builds to a climax as they navigate the deadly void, facing creatures that feed on airships and the unknown depths of space, proving that the next frontier is indeed waiting to be conquered.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Science Fiction