An alien spy, disguised as an Earth engineer, infiltrates a spaceport to steal a revolutionary spaceship equipped with a teleportation drive. The ship, named _Skyjumper_, can transport itself across vast distances in an instant, a technology that could turn the tide of war in favor of Earth against the Valdorians. The spy, Torlyn Khy, is determined to bring both the ship and its plans back to Valdor for a significant promotion. As the ship nears completion, Torlyn observes the preparations and the guards surrounding it. He believes the Earthmen are naive and inefficient, and he is confident in his plan. That night, he activates his invisibility belt and approaches the ship, successfully entering the airlock unnoticed. However, he encounters an engineer, Harris, who is making last-minute adjustments. A brief struggle ensues, during which Torlyn knocks Harris unconscious and locks him inside the airlock. With time running out, Torlyn rushes to the control room, inputs the coordinates for Valdor, and activates the hyperkinetic generator. Outside, the guards are puzzled by the airlock's activity, unaware of the danger inside. When Harris regains consciousness, he realizes that Torlyn has inadvertently activated a malfunction in the generator, causing the interior of the ship to be projected into space while leaving the hull intact. The guards discover the ship is empty, and Harris explains the situation, revealing that Torlyn is now adrift in the vacuum of space, facing a dire fate without air. The story concludes with the irony of the spy's incomplete theft, highlighting the unforeseen consequences of his actions and the fragility of his mission.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1990 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Thriller