# The Invasion explained — The Skylark of Space

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

## What happens

The Skylark crew defends the city of Kondal from a massive Mardonalian invasion, employing innovative defenses against various attacks including shells, ultraviolet rays, infra-sound, and electrified weapons. After repelling the enemy, they bid farewell to Dunark and the Kondalian nobles, then depart Osnome, beginning their interstellar journey with a structured watch system.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and Adventure

Seaton, Crane, and DuQuesne bravely defend Kondal against overwhelming odds, showcasing daring and ingenuity.

### Survival and Resilience

The crew adapts to each new deadly attack, using resourcefulness to survive and protect the city.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The bond between the Earth crew and Dunark is highlighted in the farewell ceremony, and the team works cohesively under pressure.

## Character check-ins

### Richard Seaton

Commands the Skylark during the battle, devises countermeasures against Mardonalian attacks, and later bids farewell to Dunark.

### Martin Crane

Operates a machine-gun during the battle, sends reassuring messages to the women, and takes the first observation shift after departure.

### Marc DuQuesne

Mans a machine-gun, narrowly avoids electrocution from a charged gun, and serves as observer during the first and third shifts.

### Dorothy Vaneman

Receives Crane's message to stay safe, later appointed cook and household manager, and shares an emotional moment with Seaton as Osnome fades.

### Dunark

Crew is incapacitated by an unknown attack; later bids a formal farewell to the Earth party with a rare double salute.

### Margaret Spencer

Assists the observer with notes during her waking hours and works in the observation room with Crane.

## Key lines

> If we can repel the enemy and keep them from landing, the women will be perfectly safe, even though the whole city is destroyed. If they effect a landing we are lost.

Seaton reasons that preventing the enemy from landing is the only way to ensure the women's safety, even if the city is leveled.

_Seaton's strategic assessment of the invasion._

> They've got to 'em some way—let's go!

Seeing Dunark's crew incapacitated, Seaton urgently decides to engage the enemy.

_Seaton's reaction to the mysterious attack on the Kondal._

> It must be that our repellers have set up a partial vacuum by repelling even the air!

Seaton deduces that the repellers are creating a vacuum by pushing away the air around the ship.

_Seaton's realization about the repellers' effect._

> That was how they got Dunark, undoubtedly.

Crane concludes that the Mardonalians used electrified weapons to incapacitate Dunark's crew.

_Crane's deduction about the earlier attack._

> With nothing but words, we can't say a single thing.

Seaton and Dorothy find their emotions too profound for verbal expression as they watch Osnome disappear.

_The couple's poignant moment after departure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters/xviii-the-invasion
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_skylark_of_space_se/chapters