In a desolate region of space known as the Sargasso, a couple, Ralph and Diane, find themselves aboard their aging mining ship, the Gormann '87, after a failed mining venture on an asteroid. Their relationship has soured due to the hardships they faced, and they are returning home, but their journey takes a dire turn when they are caught in the gravitational pull of the Sargasso, a graveyard of derelict ships. As they navigate through the wreckage, Ralph discovers that the radar system is malfunctioning, leaving them vulnerable. They realize they must find a working radar from another ship to escape. Ralph and Diane don spacesuits and venture into the eerie silence of the Sargasso, where they encounter the remnants of other ships and the corpses of their former crews, victims of the void. Ralph's search is grim; he finds bloated bodies and a skeleton, hinting at the horrors of cannibalism among stranded crews. Meanwhile, Diane discovers a Gormann cruiser that may hold the key to their survival. However, as she investigates, she encounters a twisted, deranged survivor who has succumbed to madness after years of isolation. This creature attacks Diane, leaving her unconscious. Ralph arrives just in time to confront the monstrous figure, engaging in a desperate struggle. He ultimately manages to expel the creature into space, but not before witnessing the toll that isolation and desperation can take on the human mind. After reviving Diane, they reflect on their near-fatal experience and the lessons learned about their relationship and the importance of living in the moment. With a newfound resolve, they decide to leave the Sargasso behind and prioritize their life together, choosing to seek joy and connection rather than being consumed by their past failures. They set a course for a brighter future, leaving the haunting memories of the Sargasso behind.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1963 · Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Thriller