First Lensman · Chapter
Chapter II: The Arisian Solution explained
Virgil Samms and Roderick Kinnison discuss the mysterious planet Arisia, which no ship can approach, and the inexplicable genius of Nels Bergenholm, who solved the free drive problem.
What happens
Virgil Samms and Roderick Kinnison discuss the mysterious planet Arisia, which no ship can approach, and the inexplicable genius of Nels Bergenholm, who solved the free drive problem. Bergenholm insists Samms must go to Arisia to obtain a telepathic symbol for Civilization. Samms decides to go immediately aboard the Chicago. The chapter also shows a tense mixed-doubles tennis match between Jack Kinnison and Jill Samms, revealing their competitive relationship.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Deception
Bergenholm's inexplicable knowledge about Arisia challenges conventional science.
Progress and Technology
The Bergenholm drive and the need for a telepathic symbol highlight technological advancement.
Sacrifice and Duty
Samms decides to risk the dangerous journey to Arisia for the good of Civilization.
Characters to notice
- Virgil Samms
Solarian Councillor; decides to go to Arisia based on Bergenholm's conviction.
- Roderick Kinnison
Commissioner of Public Safety; agrees to accompany Samms to Arisia.
- Nels Bergenholm
Young scientist; insists Samms must go to Arisia for a telepathic symbol.
- Jack Kinnison
Plays mixed-doubles tennis with Jill Samms; intensely competitive.
- Virgilia Samms
Plays mixed-doubles tennis with Jack Kinnison; taunts him about his killer instinct.
Key passages
“It is the first completely incomprehensible thing I have ever experienced. I am going out there myself as soon as I can take the time—not that I expect to crack a thing that my best men couldn’t touch, but there have been so many different and conflicting reports—no two stories agree on anything except in that no one could get anywhere near the planet—that I feel the need of some firsthand information.”
Samms says Arisia is baffling and he plans to investigate personally because reports are contradictory.
Samms expresses frustration with the mystery of Arisia.
“Why don’t you use uranium instead of iron and rewind it so it will put out a waveform like this, with humps here, and here; instead of there, and there?”
Bergenholm suggests using uranium and a different waveform to fix the free drive.
Bergenholm's intuitive solution to the free drive problem.
“It is that you, Solarian Councillor Samms, should go to Arisia as soon as possible.”
Bergenholm tells Samms he must go to Arisia.
Bergenholm's key advice to Samms.
“I ought to beat your alleged brains out! I’ve told you a thousand times to watch your own territory and stay out of mine!”
Jack Kinnison angrily scolds Jill Samms for not staying in her court position.
Jack's competitive outburst during the tennis match.