Islands of Space · Chapter
Chapter XIV: The Search for Friendly Nations explained
After a hostile reception in the northern city, Arcot and his crew travel to the south temperate zone seeking more peaceful inhabitants.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Conflict and Cooperation Between Civilizations
The crew's repeated hostile encounters with different cities reveal a unified planetary league, suggesting deep-seated interplanetary conflict.
The Dangers of Arrogance and Misunderstanding
The Earthmen's assumption that they could find friendly nations is thwarted by the aliens' preemptive attacks, highlighting how misunderstanding can escalate conflict.
Science and Technology as Tools
The crew uses molecular rays and invisibility as both defensive and offensive tools, while the aliens employ guided missiles and magnetic beams, showcasing technology as a double-edged sword.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Richard Arcot
Angry and frustrated by the hostile receptions, Arcot leads the crew to seek friendly nations, ultimately deciding to leave the planet for Aphrodite.
- Morey
Morey deduces that the cities are part of a global league and suggests the next inner planet as a possible home for the enemy.
- Wade
Wade operates the molecular ray during the battle and expresses a desire to thoroughly smash the inhospitable city.
- John Fuller
Fuller spots the second city and later asks about the nature of the attraction ray used by the aliens.
Key passages
“possibly live in hydrogen instead of oxygen,’ ” Arcot quoted, grinning. “That’s what they told me when I made my little announcement at the meeting on the Black Star situation. The only trouble was—they did. That suggestion of yours meets the same fate, Morey!””
Arcot reminds Morey that his earlier assumption about the aliens' biology was wrong, just as Morey's current assumption about food production might be wrong.
Arcot uses a past example to challenge Morey's skepticism about how the cities sustain themselves.
““They had a lot of courage,” said Arcot, looking down at the city as it sank out of sight. “It doesn’t take one-quarter as much courage to fight a known enemy, no matter how deadly, as it does to fight an unknown enemy force—something that can tear down mountains and throw their forts into the air like toys.””
Arcot acknowledges the bravery of the aliens who attacked them, noting that facing an unknown and vastly powerful enemy requires more courage than fighting a familiar one.
Arcot reflects on the psychological challenge of confronting an incomprehensible threat.
““I think that was more or less a gentle hint to move on!” He didn’t like the way they were being received; he had wanted to meet these people.”
Arcot interprets the missile attack as a clear signal to leave, expressing disappointment at the hostile reception.
Arcot's frustration grows as his desire for peaceful contact is repeatedly rebuffed.