# XII explained — Islands of Space

> Chapter companion for Islands of Space by John W. Campbell.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> “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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/islands_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/islands_of_space_se/chapters