# VII: The Trial Voyage explained — The Skylark of Space

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

## What happens

Seaton and Crane discover that the steel forgings for their space-car are deliberately flawed by Steel. They secretly commission a larger, stronger vessel, the Skylark, built under the supervision of MacDougall. While constructing a decoy, they perfect the real ship's systems. The Skylark completes a successful trial voyage around the Moon, and the chapter ends with the triumphant return and inspection of the vessel.

## Themes in this chapter

### Scientific Discovery and Innovation

The chapter highlights the invention of the Skylark, a revolutionary space vessel, and the development of advanced technologies like the attractor.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Seaton and Crane's partnership is central; they trust each other completely and work together to overcome obstacles.

### Survival and Resilience

The protagonists adapt to sabotage by building a secret, more robust ship, demonstrating resilience against corporate threats.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Seaton

Exultant after the successful flight around the Moon; shows deep affection for Dorothy and pride in the Skylark.

### Martin Crane

Calm and methodical; inspects the flawed forgings, plans the secret construction, and takes pride in the Skylark's success.

### Dorothy Vaneman

Visits the Skylark with her father; amazed by the vessel's interior and deeply admiring of Seaton.

### Marc DuQuesne

Referenced as a threat; Seaton and Crane take precautions against his potential interference.

### MacDougall

The great engineer who supervises the secret construction of the real Skylark at a small mountain steel-plant.

### Shiro

Crane's servant; expresses devotion and offers to prepare refreshments after the flight.

## Key lines

> She flies! She flies, dearest, like a ray of light for speed and like a bit of thistledown for lightness. We've been around the moon!

Seaton exclaims that the Skylark flies with incredible speed and grace, having just completed a trip around the Moon.

_Seaton's triumphant announcement of the successful trial voyage._

> Worse than useless, every one of them. They are barely strong enough to stand shipment. They figured that we would go slowly until we were well out of the atmosphere, then put on power—then something would give way and we would never come back.

Crane reports that the steel forgings are deliberately flawed, intended to fail during flight.

_Reveals the sabotage by Steel._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/vii-the-trial-voyage
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters