Public-domain ebook
Space Station 1
Language: en13,581 downloads on Project Gutenberg
Subjects
In: Science Fiction·Science-Fiction & Fantasy·Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #50290.
About this book
Space Station 1 is a mid‑century pulp adventure that blends hard‑science speculation with a love‑triangle and a classic impostor plot. The story opens with Lieutenant Corriston arriving at a glittering artificial moon that has just emerged from “the Big Dark,” only to discover that the station is under the covert control of a deadly outer‑space power. From the first pages we learn that a missing woman, swindled passengers, and shape‑shifting imposters are all part of a lethal scheme that threatens Earth itself. The narrative quickly plunges Corriston into a claustrophobic chase through dark corridors, where he battles a knife‑wielding assassin, endures dizzying vertigo on a massive steel girder, and confronts a mysterious voice that hints at deeper conspiracies. The opening establishes a fast‑moving mix of intrigue, danger, and romantic tension that propels the protagonist toward a high‑stakes rescue.
The prose reflects the sensational style of 1950s science‑fiction magazines, with vivid, almost cinematic descriptions and a brisk, dialogue‑heavy rhythm. Long’s language is rich in technical detail yet unafraid to indulge in melodramatic flourishes, giving the tale a swaggering, pulp‑era feel. Readers who enjoy fast‑paced space thrillers, classic “man versus machine” confrontations, and a dash of romance will find the novel’s blend of speculative engineering and noir‑like suspense appealing. It especially suits fans of early sci‑fi who appreciate the genre’s exuberant optimism and its willingness to mix danger with daring romance.
Characters in Space Station 1
- Lieutenant CorristonMid‑50s male lieutenant in crisp navy uniform, short dark hair, sharp jaw, confident posture
The opening · free to read
Intrigue in Earth's Outer Orbit
Tremendous and glittering, the Space Station floated up out of the Big Dark. Lieutenant Corriston had come to see its marvels, but he soon found himself entrapped in its unsuspected terrors.
For the grim reality was that some deadly outer-space power had usurped control of the great artificial moon. A lovely woman had disappeared; passengers were being fleeced and enslaved; and, using fantastic disguises, imposters were using the Station for their own mysterious ends.
Pursued by unearthly monsters and hunted with super-scientific cunning, Corriston struggles to unmask the mystery. For upon his success depended his life, his love and the future of Earth itself.
The book keeps going
Keep reading, and see it illustrated
Reading is free forever. Sign up and watch scenes appear while you read.
Scenes Storieta drew for other classics.
