Cosmic Yo-Yo by Ross Rocklynne
In a future where asteroid mining is a burgeoning business, two interplanetary haulers, Bob Parker and his partner Queazy, stumble upon a wedge-shaped asteroid that matches the exact specifications of a wealthy client's order for a backyard wedding. The client, Andrew S. Burnside, has requested an asteroid with specific dimensions and materials, promising a hefty payment. However, their discovery is complicated when they encounter a woman named Starre Lowenthal, who claims the asteroid as her home, having moved there to avoid an unwanted marriage orchestrated by her grandfather. As tensions rise, the Saylor brothers, rival haulers, arrive to claim the asteroid for themselves, leading to a confrontation. Bob and Queazy are incapacitated by the Saylors, leaving Starre to fend for herself. She manages to escape and rescues the two men, revealing her true identity as Burnside's granddaughter. Starre explains her plan to trick her grandfather into believing she would marry her fiancé if he could provide an asteroid for the wedding. With time running out, Bob devises a plan to retrieve the asteroid from the Saylors. He creates a "yo-yo" mechanism using Starre's ship, allowing them to launch it at the Saylors' vessel. After a series of successful maneuvers, they manage to damage the Saylors' ship and reclaim the asteroid. As they approach Earth, Bob realizes they must deliver the asteroid before the wedding, but he also grapples with his feelings for Starre. He concocts a plan to melt the asteroid, which is primarily composed of frozen mercury, during the wedding ceremony, ensuring that it will not be available for the marriage. The plan succeeds, and as the asteroid disintegrates, chaos ensues at the wedding, allowing Starre to escape her predicament. In the aftermath, Bob and Queazy find themselves with a substantial payment for the asteroid, which they argue is legally theirs due to the presence of cinnabar, a byproduct of quicksilver. Starre, now free from her grandfather's plans, expresses her feelings for Bob, leading to a romantic resolution. The story concludes with the trio having navigated the complexities of business, love, and personal freedom in a whimsical yet adventurous space setting.
By Ross Rocklynne · First published 1950 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Romance · 8,481 words
First lines
"Want an asteroid in your backyard? We supply 'em cheap. Trouble also handled without charge. " Interplanetary Hauling Company. (ADVT.)
Bob Parker, looking through the photo-amplifiers at the wedge-shaped asteroid, was plainly flabbergasted. Not in his wildest imaginings had he thought they would actually find what they were looking for.
What this Textopian page supports
Cosmic Yo-Yo is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ross Rocklynne, 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: Ross Rocklynne
- Date: 1950 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
- Length: 8,481 words
- Structure: 1 section, 169 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cosmic Yo-Yo by Ross Rocklynne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Cosmic Yo-Yo?
- How does this novel by Ross Rocklynne fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Cosmic Jackpot by George O. Smith
- Destiny Times Three by Fritz Leiber
- Reality Unlimited by Robert Silverberg
- The Mobius Trail by George O. Smith
- The Call From Beyond by Clifford D. Simak
- A Hitch In Time by Frederik Pohl
Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around space travel, asteroids, and futuristic technology, which are central themes in science fiction.
- Adventure — The characters embark on a thrilling journey through space, facing challenges and rivalries that create an adventurous narrative.
- Romance — The story includes a romantic subplot between Bob Parker and Starre Lowenthal, highlighting personal relationships amidst the adventure.
- Comedy — The dialogue and situations often contain humorous elements, particularly in the interactions between characters and their predicaments.
Tags
science fiction · space travel · time travel · alternate realities · cosmic exploration · philosophy · humanity · technology · imagination · adventure · universe · existentialism