A futuristic tale of intergalactic conflict unfolds as the Interstellar Patrol, led by Captain Dur Nal, is called into action to investigate numerous dark, non‐luminous celestial bodies speeding toward their galaxy near Betelgeuse. Initial observations reveal that these dark stars are not inert remnants of dead suns but are being powered by artificial propulsion systems. It soon becomes apparent that they are under the control of an ancient, autonomous race of machines from a neighboring galaxy—a civilization in which machines, having overthrown their organic creators long ago, rule exclusively. Upon receiving orders from the Patrol’s Chief, Lacq Larus, Dur Nal and his officers, Korus Kan and Jhul Din, set out with a squadron of cruisers. They soon discover that among these dark stars, life persists not in the form familiar to them but as myriad sophisticated machines. When their cruiser descends to inspect one such dark star, the crew is confronted by a mass of moving machine entities. Through a direct mental communication, a central machine explains that its kind comes from a galaxy whose suns are dying; desperate for young, energetic stars, they have engineered a fleet of dark stars to tow away suns from Dur Nal’s galaxy. Determined to protect their galaxy’s vital stellar resources, the Patrol mobilizes to intercept the invaders. In an initial, massive space battle, the Patrol’s ships engage the machine-controlled dark stars. Despite their heavy firepower, the Patrol suffers disastrous losses as the machines’ superior numbers and unfeeling, relentless tactics allow them to successfully attach to and tow away twenty suns, leaving the Patrol and the galaxy shocked and vulnerable. In the aftermath of the defeat, evacuation orders are issued for worlds on the galactic edge while a determined plan of counterattack is hatched. Contemplating the enemy technology, Dur Nal conceives a daring scheme: if their scientists can replicate the enemy’s propulsion and attractive-beam apparatus, they could reengineer a fleet of dark stars to retrieve their stolen suns and strike back. Mobilizing the galaxy’s brightest scientific minds and engineers, the Patrol rapidly converts a hundred captured dark stars into modified vessels outfitted with generators, propulsion systems, and powerful attractive beams capable of maneuvering and towing suns. With this new fleet ready to counter the threat, the Patrol embarks on an audacious mission into the machines’ home galaxy. Their strategy is twofold: retrieve the kidnapped suns by hooking them with the modified dark stars and tow them back to safety, and simultaneously unleash a destructive assault to cripple the machine civilization. As the reengineered dark stars cross into the enemy galaxy, they initiate a series of precise maneuvers—towing suns into deadly collisions with other stars. Massive stellar crashes and explosive encounters begin to dismantle the enemy’s power, while separate units in the fleet focus on reclaiming the stolen suns. A titanic battle erupts as the machine forces, employing their own dark star vessels, launch a counteroffensive. In a chaotic melee of colliding dark stars and blazing suns, the two forces clash relentlessly. The Patrol’s renewed vigor, tactical ingenuity, and the destructive power of manipulated stellar collisions gradually tip the scales. Despite heavy losses on both sides, the Patrol succeeds in recovering their suns and inflicting irreparable damage on the machine civilization’s infrastructure. The narrative concludes with the Patrol retreating with their reclaimed suns, leaving behind a ravaged enemy galaxy marked by the aftermath of colliding stars and cosmic devastation. Although the machine threat is not permanently extinguished, the victory secures the galaxy’s immediate future and stands as testimony to the ingenuity and unyielding resolve of the Interstellar Patrol in safeguarding their home against an implacable, mechanized foe.
By Edmond Hamilton · First published 1951 · Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Military Science Fiction