The cosmic cloud

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79352

Title

The cosmic cloud

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling science fiction tale, Interstellar Patrol officers Dur Nal, Jhul Din, and Korus Kan investigate a mysterious cosmic cloud swallowing thousands of ships. They discover the cloud is a trap set by dark creatures from Deneb preparing to conquer the galaxy. With the help of scientist Zat Zanat, they turn the cloud's magnetic force against its masters, causing their invasion fleet to crash back into the planet, saving the universe.

Summary up to 500 words

In Edmond Hamilton's *The Cosmic Cloud*, the galaxy is governed by the Federation of Suns and policed by the Interstellar Patrol. A sudden crisis erupts when an impenetrable cosmic cloud near the galactic center begins violently drawing hundreds of interstellar ships into its darkness, causing panic across the universe. Chief Lacq Larus summons three elite officers—Dur Nal (an Earth man), Jhul Din (a Spican crustacean-man), and Korus Kan (an Antarian metal-man)—to investigate the phenomenon despite warnings that entry means certain death. The trio boards their cruiser to scout the cloud's edge. As they approach, an irresistible magnetic force pulls them inside. Dur Nal escapes into a city of eternal darkness inhabited by blind, flap-limbed creatures. He discovers thousands of captured ships being prepared for a galactic conquest and meets Zat Zanat, the scientist who vanished years ago while exploring the cloud. Zat reveals the horror: the dark creatures intend to burst from the cloud and seize the galaxy's suns. Dur Nal is briefly captured but escapes again, reuniting with Zat Zanat. They race through the dark city to a massive building housing the rulers' control room, rescuing their comrades Jhul Din and Korus Kan, who are being tortured before a fierce battle ensues. Realizing they cannot stop the invasion fleet launching from the cloud's surface directly, Zat Zanat discovers a critical control switch that turns the world itself into a colossal magnet. By flipping the switch, Zat reverses the magnetic field. Instead of drawing ships out, the cloud now pulls the entire invasion fleet back toward the planet's surface. The thousands of ships crash violently into the world, annihilating the dark creatures and their plans forever. The heroes escape just as the cloud returns to silence, having saved the galaxy from darkness through a brilliant reversal of the very force the enemies used against them.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Science Fiction