The Defiant Agents by Andre Norton

Name: The Defiant Agents
Author: Andre Norton

The story begins with Dr. Gordon Ashe, a scientist working in a top-secret government facility, learning about a security breach involving a snoop that has compromised their project to colonize a distant planet called Topaz. The snoop, which is a device used for espionage, has been discovered by the enemy and has given them access to sensitive information about the project. Ashe is concerned about the implications of this breach and the potential consequences for the project and its participants. He meets with his colleague, Colonel Kelgarries, who is also working on the project, to discuss the situation. They agree that they need to take action to protect the project and its participants, but they are limited by their orders from the council. Kelgarries suggests that Ashe travel to New York to meet with a high-ranking official named Hough, in order to persuade him to support their position against using the Redax, a device that can accelerate human development but also has risks. Ashe is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to go. Meanwhile, Kelgarries takes steps to ensure that Ashe does not talk about the project or its risks before he leaves for New York. He orders Ashe's trainees to be sent to the Hypno-Lab instead of the reserve, so that Ashe will not have a chance to speak with them before he leaves. Ashe travels to New York and meets with Hough, who is sympathetic to his concerns about the Redax. However, it becomes clear that the council has already made up its mind to use the Redax, and that Ashe's efforts may be too late. The story ends with Kelgarries reflecting on the situation and wondering if they are indeed finished, as he sees no way to stop the use of the Redax and the potential consequences for the project and its participants.

By Andre Norton · First published 1952 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian · 18 chapters · 67,300 words

First lines

No windows broke any of the four plain walls of the office; there was no focus of outer-world sunlight on the desk there. Yet the five disks set out on its surface appeared to glow -- perhaps the heat of the mischief they could cause. had caused. blazed in them.

But fanciful imaginings did not cushion or veil cold, hard fact. Dr. Gordon Ashe, one of the four men peering unhappily at the display, shook his head slightly as if to free his mind of such cobwebs.

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The Defiant Agents is listed on Textopian as a novel by Andre Norton, dated 1952 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Andre Norton
Date: 1952 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian, Speculative Fiction
Length: 67,300 words
Structure: 18 chapters, 1,382 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Science Fiction — The novel features advanced technology, alien races, space exploration, and future settings, all typical themes within the Science Fiction genre.
Adventure — The protagonists endure a series of harrowing challenges in an unfamiliar environment, variations on common Adventure genre tropes.
Dystopian — The setting of a dangerous future earth and the struggle against authoritarian control hint towards Dystopian elements.
Speculative Fiction — As with many of Norton's works, the narrative extrapolates contemporary ideas and issues into future scenarios, a staple in Speculative Fiction