Distress Signal by Ross Rocklynne

Name: Distress Signal
Author: Ross Rocklynne

Two boys, Carl and Rex, find themselves marooned on Worta, a cold satellite orbiting a dying red sun, after a reckless escape from home in a stolen spaceship. Initially excited by their adventure, they soon realize the gravity of their situation as time passes and rescue seems increasingly unlikely. The boys are discovered by the Wortans, a dwindling civilization that has retreated underground to escape the harsh surface conditions. While Carl adapts to their new life, Rex becomes increasingly obsessed with returning to Earth, leading to tension between the two. Rex's fixation on escape manifests in his plan to create a distress signal, believing that if he can attract the attention of passing ships, they will be rescued. Carl, however, is skeptical of Rex's methods and worries about the implications of their actions. As Rex's obsession grows, he secretly manufactures a dangerous explosive called merbohydrate, intending to use it as part of his plan to signal for help. Over the years, Carl matures and begins to appreciate the Wortans and their way of life, while Rex's hostility towards them deepens. Tensions escalate when Carl discovers that Rex has taken the spaceship without his knowledge, leading to a confrontation. Rex reveals his plan to detonate the merbohydrate near the sun, creating a massive explosion that would serve as a distress signal. Carl, horrified by the potential destruction of Worta and its inhabitants, attempts to stop Rex. In a desperate struggle, Carl manages to subdue Rex and takes control of the ship, but the situation becomes dire as the merbohydrate is set on a collision course with the sun. Carl realizes he must warn the Wortans and attempts to convince them to evacuate, but they accept their fate, believing it to be a noble end. M'hort, the Wortan leader, expresses a resigned acceptance of their impending doom, emphasizing the dignity in their choice to remain. As Carl races against time to save the Wortans, he grapples with feelings of betrayal and despair over Rex's actions. Ultimately, he is unable to find Rex, who has hidden himself away, choosing to align with the Wortans' acceptance of their fate. Carl returns to the ship, and as he prepares to leave Worta, he is picked up by a Stellar Survey ship, which had been searching for them. In a tragic twist, the merbohydrate detonates as Carl is rescued, resulting in the destruction of the sun and the obliteration of Worta. The story concludes with the stark realization of the consequences of their actions, leaving Carl to reflect on the loss of life and the irony of their situation. The narrative explores themes of friendship, obsession, and the moral implications of sacrifice, ultimately questioning the value of life and the lengths one will go to escape their circumstances.

By Ross Rocklynne · First published 1951 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 6,999 words

First lines

Marooned! On the cold satellite of a dying sun, light-years away from home. For Rex there was only one escape. But Carl called it murder!

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Distress Signal is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ross Rocklynne, dated 1951 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Ross Rocklynne
Date: 1951 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Young Adult, Dystopian
Length: 6,999 words
Structure: 1 section, 178 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Genres

Science Fiction — The plot revolves around space travel, alien civilizations, and advanced technology, which are core elements of the science fiction genre.
Adventure — The characters embark on a perilous journey through space, facing challenges and exploring new worlds, typical of adventure narratives.
Drama — The story delves into the emotional struggles and moral dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly regarding friendship and survival.
Young Adult — The protagonists are young boys dealing with themes of rebellion, responsibility, and the transition to adulthood, appealing to a young adult audience.