# XVIII: The Specimens Escape explained — Triplanetary

> Chapter companion for Triplanetary by E. E. Smith.

## What happens

Costigan, Clio, and Bradley are held captive in separate Nevian cities. Feigning a hunger strike, Costigan secures a laboratory, secretly manufactures Vee-Two poison gas, and escapes his prison, gassing the city. He steals a Nevian space-speedster and rescues Clio and Bradley. They flee toward Earth but are pursued by Nerado's cruiser and another Nevian vessel returning from the Solar System.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Costigan risks his life and uses lethal gas to free himself and his companions from captivity.

### Mental vs. Physical Power

Costigan outwits the Nevians by feigning ignorance while secretly preparing a chemical weapon, demonstrating mental cunning over brute force.

## Character check-ins

### Conway Costigan

Orchestrates escape by manufacturing Vee-Two gas, gasses the Nevian city, steals a speedster, and rescues Clio and Bradley.

### Clio Marsden

Held captive in a different Nevian city; communicates via ultra-beam; rescued by Costigan; shares an emotional reunion.

### Captain Bradley

Also held captive in a separate city; warned by Costigan about the escape plan; rescued and later recovers consciousness.

### Captain Nerado

Pursues the escapees in his interstellar cruiser; mentioned as a 'square shooter' by Costigan.

## Key lines

> I went on a hunger strike and made them give me a complete laboratory. As a chemist I'm a damn good electrician; but luckily, with the seawater they've got here, it's a very simple thing to make.

Costigan feigned a hunger strike to obtain a laboratory, then used local seawater to manufacture Vee-Two gas.

_Highlights Costigan's resourcefulness and deception._

> We're going to break away or go out trying—there aren't enough amphibians between here and Andromeda to keep us humans cooped up like menagerie animals forever!

Costigan declares their determination to escape or die trying, refusing to be kept as zoo exhibits.

_Emphasizes the theme of resistance against captivity._

> He's a square shooter, I tell you.

Costigan defends Nerado as an honorable adversary despite their conflict.

_Shows Costigan's respect for the Nevian captain._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters/xviii-the-specimens-escape
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/triplanetary_se/chapters