# II explained — The Black Star Passes

> Chapter companion for The Black Star Passes by John W. Campbell.

## What happens

Arcot demonstrates a portable invisibility device based on short-wave radio principles, revealing the pirate's method. The group discusses the commercial and military potential of the invention, and plans to build a ship to pursue the pirate. They also review film footage showing the pirate's invisible theft of a safe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scientific Progress and Innovation

Arcot's successful duplication of the invisibility device and its potential to revolutionize transportation and warfare.

### War and Conflict

The pirate's use of invisibility as a weapon in a 'private war' and the military implications of the technology.

## Character check-ins

### Robert Arcot

Demonstrates the invisibility device and explains its scientific basis; shows film of the pirate's theft.

### President Arthur Morey

Expresses excitement about the commercial applications of the invisibility device for air travel.

### Wade

Present during the demonstration and discussion.

### John Fuller

Asked to help design the new ship and airliners using the new technology.

### Dick

Analyzed the pirate's gas, determining its empirical formula and properties.

## Key lines

> I have duplicated his experiment. He has simply made use of a principle known for some time, but as there was no need for it, it hasnвАЩt been used.

Arcot has replicated the pirate's invisibility by applying a long-known but neglected scientific principle.

_Arcot explains the basis of the invisibility device._

> It seems the pirate has solved the secret of invisibility. No wonder the Air Guardsmen couldnвАЩt find him!

The pirate's invisibility explains why the Air Guardsmen failed to detect him.

_Senior Arcot comments on the film footage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_star_passes_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_black_star_passes_se/chapters