The Tantalus Death by Ross Rocklynne
A Martian ambassador, Olduk, pleads with Earth's Master Conclave for water, highlighting the dire situation on Mars, where his people face extinction due to a lack of water. Despite his attempts to convey the urgency of their plight, he is met with ridicule and hostility from the Earth delegates, who fear that providing water would enable Martians to increase their population and threaten Earth again. Olduk recounts the myth of Tantalus, drawing a parallel between his people's suffering and the eternal thirst of Tantalus, who could never drink from the water that receded from him. The Conclave dismisses his speech, and Olduk leaves, but not before a strange phenomenon occurs: water in the Conclave's presence begins to behave unnaturally, forming rigid spheres that cannot be touched without causing harm. As chaos ensues on Earth, water becomes untouchable, leading to widespread panic and suffering. The populace, desperate for water, is unable to drink despite its abundance around them. Olduk's actions are revealed to be part of a Martian strategy to force Earth into compliance by making water inaccessible. The Earth leaders, realizing the gravity of the situation, contemplate their options. They consider betraying Olduk's trust by promising water to the Martians while secretly planning to destroy the mechanism causing the water's strange behavior. Olduk, weakened and ultimately dying from thirst, represents the tragic consequences of their deceit. In a climactic moment, the Earth leaders receive a signal from Mars, leading to the restoration of normal water access. However, they are left to grapple with the moral implications of their actions, particularly the death of Olduk, who sacrificed himself for his people. The Speaker of the Conclave reflects on the betrayal and the cost of their survival, ultimately deciding to send water to Mars as a gesture of goodwill, acknowledging the shared suffering of both worlds.
By Ross Rocklynne · First published 1953 · Genre: Science Fiction, Social Commentary, Fantasy · 7,532 words
First lines
"Give us water, or we perish! " But the Conclave of Nations denied the Red Planet's frantic plea. So began the Reign of Terror. a Martian judgement that plunged the Earth into hideous chaos.
The Master Conclave of the Sectional Governors of the World State was in its first day of session. The Speaker, about to call for a motion of adjournment, rose, looked about the packed tiers of seats as if searching for someone. Relief came to his face -- and was replaced by annoyance as the huge, double doors swung open.
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The Tantalus Death is listed on Textopian as a novel by Ross Rocklynne, dated 1953 CE.
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- Work type: Novel
- Author: Ross Rocklynne
- Date: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Social Commentary, Fantasy, Dystopian, Adventure
- Length: 7,532 words
- Structure: 1 section, 246 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story explores futuristic themes, including Martian culture, advanced technology, and the consequences of environmental manipulation.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques human behavior, politics, and the ethical implications of resource distribution and interplanetary relations.
- Fantasy — The myth of Tantalus serves as a central allegory, blending mythological elements with speculative fiction.
- Dystopian — The plot depicts a world in chaos due to a critical resource shortage, reflecting dystopian themes of societal collapse.
Tags
science fiction · mystery · thriller · suspense · psychological · crime · detective · futuristic · technology · human nature · moral dilemmas · existential