Invaders from the Infinite · Chapter
XXV: With Galaxies in the Balance explained
After resting in orbit around Venone, Arcot and the crew of the Thought head to Thett's system.
What happens
After resting in orbit around Venone, Arcot and the crew of the Thought head to Thett's system. They attack a Thessian fortress with a cosmic ray, causing massive destruction, but the fortress retaliates with a triple-ray that damages the ship. Arcot repairs and upgrades the Thought, adding new power collectors and a wall of blackness made of solid protons. In a second attack, the wall stops the triple-ray, but Arcot's own weapons breach it, forcing a retreat. Arcot and Morey are exhausted and are persuaded to rest by Zezdon Afthen. On Thett, the Sthanto remains confident despite the damage, while his subordinates doubt his judgment.
Themes in this chapter
Technological Progress and Its Consequences
Arcot's rapid repairs and creation of the wall of blackness demonstrate the power of advanced technology, but also its risks, as the wall nearly destroys the ship when combined with other weapons.
The Nature of Power and Responsibility
Arcot's exhaustion and Zezdon Afthen's intervention highlight the need for responsible use of power, as fatigue can lead to dangerous mistakes.
Unity Against a Common Enemy
The crew works together to repair the ship and plan the attack, while the Thessians coordinate their defenses under the Sthanto's command.
Characters to notice
- Arcot
Leads the attack on Thett, repairs and upgrades the Thought, creates the wall of blackness, and is persuaded to rest after exhaustion.
- Morey
Assists in repairs and control, explains the wall of blackness to Stel Felso Theu, and is put to sleep by Zezdon Afthen.
- Wade
Comments on the battle and follows Zezdon Afthen's suggestion to rest.
- Zezdon Afthen
Advises Arcot to rest, puts Morey to sleep, and suggests Wade rest as well.
- Torlos
Acts as guard while the crew sleeps and carries Morey to his room.
- Stel Felso Theu
Asks Morey about the wall of blackness and learns its nature.
Key passages
“The Thought arose from Venone after long hours, and at Arcot's suggestion, they assumed an orbit about the world, at a distance of two million miles, and all on board slept, save Torlos, the tireless molecular motion machine of flesh and iron.”
After leaving Venone, Arcot suggested orbiting the planet two million miles away so everyone except Torlos could rest.
Sets the scene for the crew's rest before the final battle.
“He created a wall of artificial matter at twenty feet from the ship—and another at twenty thousand miles. It was thin, yet it was utterly impenetrable. He swept the two walls together, and forced them against each other until his instruments told him only free energy remained between them. Then he released the outer wall, and a terrific flood of energy swept out.”
Arcot made two thin but impenetrable walls of artificial matter, one close to the ship and one far away, then pushed them together to create pure energy, which he released to destroy the Thessian fleet.
Demonstrates Arcot's innovative use of artificial matter as a weapon.
“It's solid matter. A thing that you never saw before. That wall of matter is made of a double layer of protons lying one against the other. It absorbs absolutely every and all radiation, and because it is solid matter, not tiny sprinklings of matter in empty space, as is the matter of even the densest star, it stops the triple-ray.”
Morey explains that the wall of blackness is a solid layer of protons that absorbs all radiation, making it impervious to the triple-ray.
Provides scientific explanation for the wall's properties.
