A Case of Sunburn
In a desperate bid to salvage their rebellion against Marscorp, a group of Martian rebels, led by Jonner, embarks on a critical mission known as Plan Blue. With their forces dwindling, they aim to capture a Marscorp G-boat and reach a hidden spaceship, The Egg, which is crucial for their survival. As they navigate the treacherous terrain of Mars, Jonner grapples with the realization that one of his five companions is a spy for Marscorp. Tensions rise as they execute their plan, leading to a violent confrontation that results in casualties among their ranks. After successfully commandeering the G-boat and securing The Egg, Jonner faces the challenge of identifying the traitor among them. As they attempt to escape, they are pursued by Marscorp ships, leading to a high-stakes chase. Ultimately, they are captured, but the tide of war shifts unexpectedly. The rebels launch a counter-offensive during a critical Earth-sun conjunction, exploiting the temporary vulnerability of Marscorp troops, who suffer severe sunburn and blindness. The rebels reclaim Mars City, turning the tide of the conflict. Jonner learns that their seemingly futile mission was instrumental in the victory, as it allowed The Egg to amplify Earth's magnetic field, disrupting the protective blue mist of Mars. The story concludes with the rebels celebrating their newfound freedom and the end of Marscorp's dominance.
By Charles L. Fontenay · First published 1948 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery · 7,565 words
First lines
_In the past year the Martian rebels had been pushed back to the wall. All that was left to them was Plan Blue. And_ what _was Plan Blue_.?
Jonner's hand dropped to his pistol and he edged cautiously behind a big rock as another groundcar appeared among the dunes to the south and approached the little group of men. He was sure Sir Stanrich had told him there were to be four others in his little task force: and there were four with him now.
What this Textopian page supports
A Case of Sunburn is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles L. Fontenay, dated 1948 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Charles L. Fontenay
- Date: 1948 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 7,565 words
- Structure: 1 section, 198 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Case of Sunburn by Charles L. Fontenay
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book involves elements of advanced science and technology intermixing with societal or personal issues, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Adventure — The plot involves a journey and a chase for a rare element, elements that are characteristic of adventure novels.
- Mystery — The storyline involves the protagonist trying to solve a puzzle about the origin of a strange, dangerous sunburn, elements typically found in mystery novels.
Tags
mystery · suspense · thriller · crime · investigation · detective · murder · plot twist · sci-fi · suspenseful · narrative · character development