With no Strings Attached
A U.S. submarine returns to port after a lengthy, uneventful deployment, but the crew is puzzled by the presence of a mysterious, sealed box in the battery room, which has replaced some of the submarine's batteries. The captain and a civilian representative discuss the box's significance, revealing it to be a revolutionary power source that could transform the Navy's fleet. The civilian, Richard Thorn, recounts how he first learned about the device during a demonstration in the Utah Salt Flats, where an inventor named Sorensen showcased a suitcase that purportedly generated significant power. Despite skepticism, the demonstration impresses Thorn, leading to negotiations for a million-dollar contract to acquire the technology. Thorn learns that Sorensen's invention is not a conventional battery but a hydrogen fusion device that can be started with batteries. Sorensen had previously struggled to gain recognition for his invention, often dismissed as a fraud. To overcome this, he decided to market it as a battery, knowing that the truth would be met with disbelief. As Thorn and his colleagues investigate the device further, they discover its true nature and capabilities. The contract is signed, and Sorensen's invention is revealed to be a groundbreaking power source that could revolutionize naval operations. The story concludes with a reflection on the nature of belief and perception in the world of innovation, highlighting how the truth can sometimes be obscured by preconceived notions.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1963 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure · 7,724 words
First lines
The United States Submarine _Ambitious Brill_ slid smoothly into her berth in the Brooklyn Navy Yard after far too many weeks at sea, as far as her crew were concerned. After all the necessary preliminaries had been waded through, the majority of that happy crew went ashore to enjoy a well-earned and long-anticipated leave in the depths of the brick-and-glass canyons of Gomorrah-on-the-Hudson.
What this Textopian page supports
With no Strings Attached is listed on Textopian as a novel by Randall Garrett, dated 1963 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Randall Garrett
- Date: 1963 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure, Mystery, Military Fiction
- Length: 7,724 words
- Structure: 1 section, 165 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for With no Strings Attached by Randall Garrett
- 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 plot revolves around advanced technology and speculative inventions, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Thriller — The narrative includes elements of suspense and intrigue surrounding a secretive invention and its implications.
- Adventure — The story features characters embarking on a journey involving military and technological challenges.
- Mystery — The central mystery involves the unknown workings of the suitcase and the true nature of the invention.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Humor · Satire · Adventure · Fantasy · Alien Invasion · Intergalactic Politics · Social Commentary · Utopia · Dystopia · Philosophy