Islands of Space · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Islands of Space by John W. Campbell.
Chapter 1
Prologue
In the early 22nd century, Dr. Richard Arcot and Robert Morey discover the molecular motion drive, and with engineer John Fuller, build a ship to capture the Air Pirate Wade. Wade, a brilliant but neurotic chemist who discovered invisibility, is cured and joins Arcot to build an interplanetary vessel to Venus. The Venusians, a telepathic humanoid race, unite with Earth against the Black Star Nigra, whose inhabitants attack seeking a star's warmth. The Nigrans, inexperienced in war, are repelled, leaving Arcot, Wade, and Morey craving new adventure.
Chapter 2
I
Three scientists—Arcot, Wade, and Morey—are interrupted by John Fuller. They reveal their plan to build a spaceship that can exceed the speed of light by altering the curvature of space, powered by high-density currents using lux metal insulation. The group decides to move their work to Arcot's Vermont lab.
Chapter 3
Chapter II
The team designs and plans the construction of a massive spaceship, the Ancient Mariner, using advanced materials like lux and relux. Arcot teaches the others Venerian telepathy for future communication with alien races. They discuss the ship's shape, power systems, weapons (molecular and heat beams), and defensive measures, including invisibility technology.
Chapter 4
Chapter III: The Ancient Mariner
Arcot, Wade, Morey, and Fuller demonstrate their new molecular motion drive and a powerful energy storage device to the elder Dr. Arcot and the elder Mr. Morey. After a successful demonstration, they discuss financing for their interstellar expedition and debate names for their ship, ultimately settling on 'The Ancient Mariner'.
Chapter 5
The Ancient Mariner
The elder Morey and Dr. Arcot are given a tour of the newly constructed intergalactic spaceship, the Ancient Mariner. They inspect the power room, storage coils, laboratory, living quarters, and control room. Arcot explains the hyperspace drive and the ship's capabilities. After the tour, the older men bid farewell and depart, and the ship lifts off.
Chapter 6
V
The crew of the Ancient Mariner successfully tests the space-strain drive, traveling faster than light and discovering that the Nigrans have moved their entire planetary system to orbit Sirius. They take photographs to prove their journey and discuss the implications for time and space travel.
Chapter 7
Chapter VI: The Perils of Power and the Search for Home
After a high-speed jump that leaves them disoriented and drained of energy, the crew of the Ancient Mariner struggles to regain their bearings and find their way back toward Earth. They debate the dangers of their immense power, the nature of progress for isolated civilizations, and the value of exploration versus observation. A humorous incident in free fall lightens the mood as they continue their journey.
Chapter 8
Ghosts of the Ancient Mariner
The crew of the Ancient Mariner realizes that the mysterious ships they saw are actually reflections of their own vessel due to extreme space curvature. To combat boredom, they work on upgrading their flying suits with invisibility devices. The ship then encounters a violent cosmic storm with intense radiation and electrical discharges, forcing them to battle through with the molecular drive and emergency repairs to the space-strain drive.
Chapter 9
Chapter VIII: The Frozen World and the Dying Star
The crew of the Ancient Mariner, having survived the cosmic ray field, approaches a new island universe. They calculate its mass and size, then narrowly avoid plunging into its central gas cloud. Morey selects a G-0 star as their destination, but it suddenly goes supernova, collapsing into a white dwarf. They discover a frozen, dead planet orbiting the remnant star and prepare to explore it.
Chapter 10
The Frozen World and the Tower of Relics
The crew explores a frozen, dead world orbiting a dim sun, discovering a preserved city and a tower filled with relics of an extinct intelligent race. They retrieve books to learn the language and leave a message for future visitors, reflecting on the catastrophe that destroyed the civilization.
Chapter 11
Trapped by the Black Dwarf
Arcot and the crew navigate the Ancient Mariner to the edge of a galaxy, taking photographs to mark their path. After Arcot falls asleep on watch, the ship overshoots its intended distance. Arcot playfully retaliates by putting the ship into a spin, but their situation turns dire when they are captured by the gravity of a black dwarf star. Despite their best efforts, they can only achieve a tight orbit around the star, and they realize they lack the fuel to escape, leaving them trapped.
Chapter 12
Hitching a Wagon to a Star
The crew devises a daring plan to escape the gravitational pull of a dead black dwarf by using the molecular ray to stop the rotation of a companion white dwarf, causing the two stars to collide and creating a neutral point from which they can activate their space strain drive. After intense calculations and preparations, they successfully extinguish the white dwarf and wait for the collision, but the sudden acceleration at the critical moment knocks them unconscious.
Chapter 13
XII
The crew practices telepathy, enters a new galaxy, and approaches a G-0 star. They struggle to decelerate using the star's gravity and space control, taking three days. Morey maps the system, identifying planets including a promising Earth-like world named Terra. They repair the ship and decide to seek help from advanced civilizations to find their way home. They land near a lake on Terra for water and exercise.
Chapter 14
Chapter XIV: The Search for Friendly Nations
After a hostile reception in the northern city, Arcot and his crew travel to the south temperate zone seeking more peaceful inhabitants. They encounter another city that also attacks them, using guided missiles and magnetic beams. The crew retaliates with molecular rays, destroying a ray projector building before escaping invisibly. They deduce that all cities on this world are part of a single league, likely at war with another planet. Frustrated, Arcot decides to leave the planet and head to the next inner planet, Aphrodite, to find less aggressive neighbors.
Chapter 15
XV
Arcot and his crew establish contact with the Satorians, a race of super-strong beings. After demonstrating their advanced technology and telepathic communication, Arcot gains the trust of Torlos, a Satorian commander. They follow the Satorian fleet to their capital city for an audience with the ruler, Horlan. The chapter also describes the gloomy, cloud-covered planet and the cautious approach to the Satorian city.
Chapter 16
XVI
Arcot and Morey land on the Satorian home world and are led by Torlos into a grim, utilitarian city. They meet the Satorian leaders and attempt to explain their interstellar travel using the curvature of space, but the scientists reject the concept. Torlos reveals he is actually a Nansalian spy and warns that the Satorians plan to seize their weapons. A fight breaks out; Torlos and the Earthmen defeat the guards using their superior strength and weapons, but are soon trapped as more reinforcements arrive.
Chapter 17
Chapter XVII
Arcot, Morey, and Torlos escape a Satorian ambush and return to the Ancient Mariner. A fierce battle ensues, during which Torlos disobeys orders and uses the heat beam while the ship is invisible, causing the invisibility to fail and destroying a city. After escaping, Arcot telepathically confronts Torlos, who explains his actions were driven by fear of a secret Satorian weapon and a misunderstanding of the ship's power. Arcot warns Torlos about the immense forces aboard the ship, and Torlos promises to obey. The chapter ends with Arcot and Morey discussing Torlos's extraordinary strength and stamina.
Chapter 18
The History of Nansal and Sator
This chapter recounts the history of Nansal and the Satorians, from the teachings of Norus to the conflict between the two civilizations. It details the Satorians' cunning, their initial peaceful trade with Nansal, their espionage, and the eventual war. The Nansalians, led by three spies, uncover Satorian plots, develop countermeasures like magnetic shields, and ultimately drive the Satorians back, though the conflict remains unresolved.
Chapter 19
XIX
Torlos explains the history of the war and why his people were suspicious of the Earthmen. The Earthmen rest and discuss Nansalian biology and culture. Arcot demonstrates the space control drive to Torlos, who accidentally crushes an armrest with his strength. They then fly to Torlos's home city, the capital of the world-nation, to negotiate with the Council.
Chapter 20
Chapter XX: Negotiations and Demonstrations
Arcot and Wade meet with the Nansalian Supreme Council to demonstrate their weapons and negotiate an exchange of knowledge and resources. Arcot provides the molecular and heat pistols, explains their operation, and offers the telectroscope in exchange for lead and astronomical data to help the Earthmen find their way home. The Council agrees to the terms, and arrangements are made for the exchange of medical texts and a Nansalian skeleton.
Chapter 21
Preparations and Discoveries
The Earthmen and Nansalians work together to prepare for the Satorian threat, sharing technology and blueprints. Arcot and Morey take a break to visit Tharlano's observatory, where they confirm the location of Earth's galaxy. A Satorian spy attempts to assassinate them but is thwarted by Torlos. Arcot uses hypnosis and telepathy to extract information from the spy, learning of an imminent attack but not the nature of the new weapon. The chapter ends with a demonstration of the Ancient Mariner's armaments and a return to Nansal to accelerate production.
Chapter 22
The Battle for Nansal
The Earthmen in the Ancient Mariner join the Nansalian fleet in battle against the Satorian invaders. Using their advanced molecular and heat beams, they decimate the enemy fleet, surviving a suicide attack thanks to the lux hull. Arcot then pursues the fleeing Satorian ships into space, capturing two of them. The chapter ends with the war effectively over as the Nansalians report repelling attacks on other cities.
Chapter 23
The Coordinator and the Departure
Arcot is offered the role of Coordinator of Nansal but humbly declines, accepting instead the title of Counselor and first friend. Torlos asks to accompany the Earthmen back to their world, and the crew agrees. After a ceremony launching the first Nansalian ship, the four Earthmen and Torlos depart in the Ancient Mariner, heading home.
Chapter 24
Endnotes
The chapter consists solely of a single endnote referencing the book 'The Black Star Passes' published by Ace Books.
