Islands of Space · Chapter
XII explained
The crew practices telepathy, enters a new galaxy, and approaches a G-0 star.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Exploration and Adventure
The crew explores a new star system, maps unknown planets, and lands on a promising Earth-like world, embodying the spirit of discovery.
Science and Technology as Tools
The use of space-strain drive, molecular drive, telectroscope, and telepathy highlights technology as essential for survival and exploration.
Resilience in the Face of Cosmic Threats
The crew endures high-gravity deceleration, repairs damage from a stellar encounter, and perseveres despite being lost in space.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Richard Arcot
Leads the crew, practices telepathy, pilots the ship during deceleration, and decides to seek help from advanced civilizations.
- Morey
Practices telepathy, maps the planetary system, names planets, and assists in piloting and observation.
- Wade
Practices telepathy but struggles with it, performs hull repairs with Morey, and divides time between projecting and reading.
- John Fuller
Practices telepathy successfully as a projector, works on interior repairs with Arcot.
Key passages
““We came out here to visit planets, didn’t we?” asked Arcot. “Here’s our chance—and our only chance—of getting home, as far as I can see. We can go to any galaxy in the neighborhood—within twenty or thirty million light years—and look for a planet with a high degree of civilization.””
Arcot suggests that their best hope of finding their way home is to visit nearby galaxies and seek help from advanced civilizations.
This quote encapsulates the crew's strategy for survival and return.
““I think we’d best make all our repairs out here. That flame that hit us burned off our outside microphone and speaker, and probably did a lot of damage to the ray projectors. I’d rather not land on a planet unarmed; the chances are about fifty-fifty that we’d be greeted with open cannon muzzles instead of open arms.””
Arcot insists on repairing the ship in space before landing, wary of potential hostile encounters.
Highlights the crew's caution and the dangers of first contact.