Escape Velocity
In a tense space drama, two astronauts, Kraag and Jonner, find themselves stranded on an asteroid after a crash. As they await rescue, Kraag, driven by self-preservation, murders their navigator, Stein, to ensure he and Jonner can survive on limited oxygen. Jonner, suspicious of Kraag's actions, refuses to return to the ship, leading to a deadly standoff. Kraag, armed with a heat-gun and a projectile pistol, attempts to eliminate Jonner while grappling with the moral implications of his actions. Jonner, resourceful and determined, uses his knowledge of physics to turn the tables, revealing that Kraag's bullets will eventually return to him due to the asteroid's low gravity and escape velocity. As the confrontation escalates, Kraag's initial advantage erodes, culminating in a dramatic twist where Jonner uses his own weapon against Kraag, demonstrating the consequences of betrayal and the struggle for survival in the unforgiving void of space. The narrative explores themes of desperation, morality, and the harsh realities of human nature when faced with life-and-death situations. Ultimately, it serves as a cautionary tale about the lengths one might go to in the name of survival and the inevitable repercussions of such choices.
By Charles L. Fontenay · First published 1968 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action · 10,910 words
First lines
_It was a duel to the death and Kraag had all the advantages, including offense and defense. Jonner had neither, but he employed an old equation peculiarly adaptable to the situation. And the proper equation properly worked._
Murdering Stein was easy. Kraag waited until Jonner donned his spacesuit and went out to have a personal look at the asteroid. Even then Kraag held his patience, because he wanted Jonner to come back to the ship unsuspecting.
What this Textopian page supports
Escape Velocity is listed on Textopian as a novel by Charles L. Fontenay, dated 1968 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: 1968 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Action, Thriller
- Length: 10,910 words
- Structure: 1 section, 298 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for Escape Velocity 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 — This novel by Charles L. Fontenay revolves around space exploration and interstellar travel, as well as the use of advanced technology and science.
- Adventure — The plot involves adventurous elements - trials of escaping a giant spaceship and exploring new worlds.
- Action — The narrative presents various fights, chase scenes, and survival challenges, marking it as an action-packed story.
- Thriller — The characters face tension-filled situations, threats, suspense, giving it a thriller component.
Tags
science fiction · space travel · adventure · exploration · futuristic · technology · aliens · interstellar · humanity · survival · conflict · innovation