# V: Direct Action explained — The Skylark of Space

> Chapter companion for The Skylark of Space by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

DuQuesne, disguised as Seaton, lands at Crane's field, kills two detectives, wounds Shiro, and robs the safe. Seaton and Crane return to find the carnage, tend to Shiro, and offer a million-dollar reward. They then develop the object-compass and test the X-plosive bullet, demonstrating its devastating power.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scientific Discovery and Innovation

The invention and testing of the object-compass and the X-plosive bullet showcase the protagonists' technological ingenuity.

### Good Versus Evil

DuQuesne's cold-blooded murder and theft contrast sharply with Seaton and Crane's righteous anger and pursuit of justice.

### Survival and Resilience

Shiro's survival of a severe head wound and the protagonists' determination to overcome the attack highlight resilience.

## Character check-ins

### Marc DuQuesne

Disguises himself as Seaton, murders two detectives, wounds Shiro, and steals plans and solution from Crane's safe.

### Richard Seaton

Returns to find Shiro wounded; enraged, he vows revenge. Later works with Crane on the object-compass and tests the X-plosive bullet.

### Martin Crane

Returns with Seaton, arranges medical care and police investigation, offers a million-dollar reward. Later builds the object-compass and assists in testing the X-plosive bullet.

### Shiro

Wounded by DuQuesne but survives; recovers consciousness and tells his story.

### Brookings

Mentioned by DuQuesne as having foolishly warned Crane, leading to the concealment of the solution.

### Prescott

Consulted by Crane via telephone after the attack.

## Key lines

> He quickly donned a heavy leather suit, similar to the one Seaton always wore in the air, and drew the hood over his face.

DuQuesne put on a leather flying suit like Seaton's and pulled up the hood to disguise himself.

_DuQuesne's impersonation of Seaton to gain access to the field._

> He half drew his pistol to finish the job, but observing that the victim was probably fatally wounded he thrust it back into its holster and went on into the house.

DuQuesne almost shot Shiro again but decided he was likely dying and left him.

_DuQuesne's casual cruelty and miscalculation about Shiro's injury._

> If Shiro dies and we can ever find out who did it I'll shoot him with the biggest explosive charge I've got. No, I won't either, that'd be too sudden. I'll take him apart with my bare hands.

Seaton swore he would kill the attacker slowly if Shiro died, preferring a brutal revenge over a quick death.

_Seaton's intense rage and desire for vengeance._

> The only objection to its use in measuring earthly distances was its extreme delicacy, the needle focused upon the smallest bead in the lot at a distance of three thousand miles coming to rest in little more than one second.

The object-compass was so sensitive that the needle settled almost instantly even when aimed at a tiny bead thousands of miles away.

_The remarkable precision of the object-compass for navigation._

> The smallest charge they had prepared, fired by Crane at a great stump a full hundred yards away from the bare, flat-topped knoll that had afforded them a landing-place, tore it bodily from the ground and reduced it to splinters, while the force of the explosion made the two men stagger.

Even the smallest X-plosive bullet obliterated a large stump from a hundred yards, and the blast knocked both men off balance.

_Demonstration of the X-plosive bullet's immense power._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/v-direct-action
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters