The Mercenaries by H. Beam Piper
In a future where interstellar travel has been achieved, humanity has colonized other planets. The story takes place on the planet of Kalgan, which is controlled by a ruthless and cunning warlord who uses mercenaries to maintain his power. The protagonist is a young man from Earth who becomes embroiled in the conflict between the warlord's forces and a group of rebels fighting for independence. He joins a band of mercenaries who are hired by the warlord to fight against the rebels, but soon discovers that their true intentions are not what they seem. As the story unfolds, the protagonist finds himself caught up in a complex web of intrigue and deception, with various factions vying for power on Kalgan. The novel explores themes of loyalty, honor, and the nature of war, raising questions about the morality of mercenaries and the consequences of their actions.
By H. Beam Piper · First published 1952 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure · 10,478 words
First lines
_Once, wars were won by maneuvering hired fighting men; now wars are different -- and the hired experts are different. But the human problems remain! _
Duncan MacLeod hung up the suit he had taken off, and sealed his shirt, socks and underwear in a laundry envelope bearing his name and identity-number, tossing this into one of the wire baskets provided for the purpose. Then, naked except for the plastic identity disk around his neck, he went over to the desk, turned in his locker key, and passed into the big room beyond.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mercenaries is listed on Textopian as a novel by H. Beam Piper, dated 1952 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: H. Beam Piper
- Date: 1952 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Drama, Mystery
- Length: 10,478 words
- Structure: 1 section, 184 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mercenaries by H. Beam Piper
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a speculative future with advanced technology and space exploration themes.
- Thriller — The narrative involves espionage, tension, and high-stakes conflict among the characters.
- Adventure — The plot follows a team of scientists navigating international intrigue and danger.
- Drama — The story explores complex interpersonal relationships and moral dilemmas.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Adventure · Action · Pulp Fiction · Military Science Fiction · Alternate History · Time Travel · Historical Fiction · War Story · Soldiers of Fortune · Mercenaries