Death between the stars

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79243

Title

Death between the stars

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In a galaxy divided by strict segregation laws, a Terran woman named Helen Vargas is forced to share a cargo ship cabin with a nonhuman telepath named Haalvordhen. As war looms and the ship accelerates to hyperspeed, prejudices clash with necessity. When Haalvordhen dies during takeoff, Vargas must administer life-saving drugs despite her revulsion. The story explores themes of xenophobia, the nature of humanity, and the shocking revelation that death between the stars can lead to an unexpected new life.

Summary up to 500 words

Transcribed from *Fantastic Universe* in 1956, Marion Zimmer Bradley's "Death Between the Stars" serves as a sequel to "Jackie Sees a Star." The narrative follows Helen Vargas, a Terran citizen, who finds herself stranded on the forsaken planet Deneb IV. With war imminent in the Procyon sector, she must board the *Vesta*, a cargo ship bound for Samarra (Sirius Seven). The ship's captain explains that while they are a cargo vessel, they are required to transport an occasional passenger from isolated worlds. Haalvordhen, a Theradin from Samarra, has reserved the single passenger cabin. Despite strict rules prohibiting humans and nonhumans from mingling, Vargas agrees to share the cabin to ensure Haalvordhen's safety and her own escape from the war zone. The Theradin are described as vaguely humanoid but distinct: they lack facial muscles, possess reedy voices, and are telepathic. They are also Type Two nonhumans, meaning hyperspeed acceleration would incapacitate them without special drugs. Vargas is uneasy about sharing quarters with a telepath, fearing the violation of Terran taboos, yet she accepts the arrangement. Upon boarding, the crewman struggles to strap Haalvordhen into the safety apparatus due to the alien's unique anatomy, which lacks thumbs and has sensitive skin. Vargas assists, but the crewman's negligence becomes apparent when the ship blasts off. During the violent acceleration, Haalvordhen is not properly secured. He is thrown against the padded walls, sustaining severe injuries. The crewman claims he fastened the belts after Vargas blacked out, but Vargas discovers the equipment was loose. Haalvordhen is dying; his circulation has stopped due to the lack of gravity, and he requires "procalamine," a stimulant kept only for qualified personnel. Overcome by panic and a deep-seated instinctual loathing for nonhuman flesh, Vargas hesitates but ultimately decides to save the alien. She administers the drug, a process made difficult by the zero-gravity environment and her own physical revulsion. As Haalvordhen fades, he communicates telepathically, expressing gratitude and offering a "gift of heritage" before his mind plunges Vargas into a dark unconsciousness. Vargas wakes to find Haalvordhen dead. The crew keeps her drugged for the remainder of the trip, forcing her to sign a waiver absolving them of responsibility for the alien's death. Upon arriving at Samarra, Vargas is eager to leave, fearing the Terran authorities will punish her for fraternizing with a "geek." However, she is surprised to be greeted by a Theradin named Haalvamphrenan, who identifies himself as Haalvordhen. The twist reveals that Haalvordhen's mind has successfully transferred into Haalvamphrenan's body. The original host died, but the personality survived, inheriting the deceased's wealth, residences, and status. Vargas realizes that the Theradin can now travel freely among humans as a messenger, bypassing the laws that previously prevented them from dying off-world. The story concludes with Vargas accepting her new dual identity as both Helen Vargas and Haalvordhen, suggesting a long and interesting life ahead where the barriers between species have been irrevocably changed by the miracle of death and rebirth.

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