The Manless Worlds

Name: The Manless Worlds
Author: Murray Leinster

In a distant future, humanity has colonized multiple galaxies, but the First Galaxy is dominated by oppressive regimes that utilize a Disciplinary Circuit to control their citizens through torture and death. A group of exiles from these tyrannical planets, including Kim Rendell, has established a colony on Terranova in the Second Galaxy, using a modified spaceship, the _Starshine_, equipped with a matter-transmitter. The story begins with Kim and his partner Dona receiving visitors from Ades, a planet known for its rebellious inhabitants. The Mayor of Steadheim and the Colony Organizer bring dire news: Ades is on the brink of destruction due to a lack of space-ships and fuel, essential for their survival against the rising threat of the Empire of Greater Sinab, which has developed deadly fighting-beams that target men specifically. The Mayor reveals that Sinab has already wiped out the male population of Thom Four, leaving only women behind, and they fear Ades will be next. Kim learns that the key to building ships and fuel lies in obtaining hafnium, a rare element that is unavailable on both Ades and Terranova. The Mayor insists that they must find a way to acquire it, even if it means resorting to piracy. Kim, realizing the urgency of the situation, decides to embark on a dangerous mission to retrieve hafnium from the First Galaxy. With limited fuel, Kim and his companions set off in the _Starshine_, using the matter-transmitter to travel vast distances. They arrive at Khiv Five, a planet recently attacked by Sinab, where they hope to find a warship that may contain the necessary resources. Kim devises a plan to use a decoy ship to distract the enemy while they board and steal fuel and catalyzers. Dona bravely volunteers to infiltrate the enemy ship, and after a tense encounter, she successfully retrieves a fuel tank and a catalyzer. However, as they attempt to escape, the _Starshine_ runs low on power, and Kim must use the last of their energy to activate the transmitter-drive, propelling them into an unknown part of the universe. After a chaotic journey, they find themselves in a distant galaxy, where they discover a habitable planet. Kim realizes that they can use their technology to create a matter-receiver to bring the men of Ades to this new world, effectively removing them from the threat of Sinab. They return to Ades, where they implement their plan, allowing the men to escape while the women take control of the situation. The climax of the story unfolds as Kim leads a fleet of ships back to Sinab, where they employ the same tactics used against them, utilizing the disciplinary circuit to incapacitate the male population of Sinab. The women of Sinab, now empowered, take charge, leading to the collapse of the oppressive regime. In the end, Kim and Dona return to Terranova, where they reflect on their journey and the new opportunities that lie ahead. The story concludes with the promise of exploration and the establishment of a new society, free from tyranny, where men and women can coexist as equals.

By Murray Leinster · First published 1950 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian · 9 chapters · 22,020 words

First lines

The speaker inside the house spoke softly.

"Guests for Kim Rendell, asking permission to land."

What this Textopian page supports

The Manless Worlds is listed on Textopian as a novel by Murray Leinster, dated 1950 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Murray Leinster
Date: 1950 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Dystopian, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction
Length: 22,020 words
Structure: 9 chapters, 466 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres

Science Fiction — The book explores futuristic concepts and speculative technology, characteristic of the science fiction genre.
Adventure — The plot involves exploration and challenges faced by characters in unfamiliar environments, typical of adventure narratives.
Dystopian — Themes of societal collapse and the absence of men create a dystopian setting that critiques human nature and civilization.
Fantasy — Elements of the extraordinary and imaginative world-building align with fantasy genre conventions.