The Mystery of Deneb IV by Robert Silverberg
Dave Carter, a navigator recovering from injuries, intercepts an SOS from the Deneb system while en route to a vacation planet. Upon landing on Deneb IV, he is attacked by a member of the missing Vanguard expedition. Carter discovers the crew is under the control of a telepathic alien entity, the Khethlani, which uses humans to build a device for galactic domination. Carter's titanium skull plate shields him from the Khethlani's control. Pretending to be under its influence, he learns of the alien's plan. Carter escapes, warns the crew, and sacrifices his ship to destroy the Khethlani. With the alien dead, Carter realizes his unique immunity makes him the only one capable of stopping the remaining Khethlani across the galaxy.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1965 · Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Mystery · 4,842 words
First lines
_When Dave Carter tried to rescue the Denebians / he found himself in a den of thieves. And he had / cause to remember Shakespeare's observation: "He / who steals my purse steals trash. "_
The first thing that crossed Dave Carter's mind was that the SOS was some kind of hoax. Then a fist thudded into the back of his neck, and he knew it was worse than a hoax -- it was a trap.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mystery of Deneb IV is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert Silverberg, dated 1965 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert Silverberg
- Date: 1965 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Mystery, Adventure, Horror
- Length: 4,842 words
- Structure: 1 section, 183 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Mystery of Deneb IV by Robert Silverberg
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Science Fiction — Features futuristic technology, space travel, alien encounters, and mind control themes central to the narrative.
- Space Opera — Incorporates interstellar settings, epic rescue missions, and dramatic conflicts characteristic of grand space adventures.
- Mystery — Centering on deceptive SOS signals, hidden agendas, and unexplained events that drive the plot.
- Adventure — Displays high-stakes action, physical confrontations, and a relentless pursuit in an alien environment.
Tags
science fiction · space opera · mystery · adventure · futuristic · aliens · planetary exploration · technology · speculative fiction · space travel · detective · suspense