World Beyond Pluto

Name: World Beyond Pluto
Author: Stephen Marlowe

In a future where interstellar travel is commonplace, a stevedore foreman at Triton's spaceport, Pitchblend Hardesty, faces an unexpected crisis when a prison break occurs at the nearby Interstellar Penitentiary. The escapee, House Bartock, a desperate killer, is determined to flee to freedom. As Hardesty and his crew scramble to load an all-girl symphony orchestra's equipment onto a spaceship, they realize that Bartock is likely heading for the spaceport to escape. Meanwhile, Bartock, having killed two guards during his escape, is on the run with a stolen guardsman's uniform and false identification. He makes his way to the spaceport, where he plans to hijack a ship. As the symphony girls, led by their chaperone Matilda Moriarity, prepare to leave, Bartock seizes the opportunity to take control of the ship, _Mozart's Lady_, which is set to depart for Mars. As the ship takes off, the authorities realize too late that Bartock has escaped with the girls. They dispatch Johnny Mayhem, a legendary test pilot and trouble-shooter for the Galactic League, to pursue the hijacked ship. Mayhem, who possesses the unique ability to inhabit different bodies, is determined to rescue the girls and apprehend Bartock. The chase leads to Pluto, where Bartock crash-lands the ship. Mayhem, racing against time, must navigate the dangers of Pluto's environment while dealing with the effects of time dilation that slow his perception. As he confronts Bartock, a fierce battle ensues, culminating in Mayhem's injury. Despite the odds, he manages to save one of the girls, Jane Cummings, and escape just in time to avoid his own demise. The narrative explores themes of desperation, survival, and the complexities of identity, as Mayhem grapples with his unique existence and the ticking clock of his borrowed life. Ultimately, he emerges victorious, but the experience leaves him contemplating the nature of freedom and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of justice.

By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Space Opera · 9,153 words

First lines

[Sidenote: Johnny Mayhem, one of the most popular series characters ever to appear in AMAZING, has been absent too long. So here's good news for Mayhem fans; another great adventure of the Man of Many Bodies.]

They loaded the over-age spaceship at night because Triton's one spaceport was too busy with the oreships from Neptune during the day to handle it.

What this Textopian page supports

World Beyond Pluto is listed on Textopian as a novel by Stephen Marlowe, dated 1970 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Stephen Marlowe
Date: 1970 CE
Language: English
Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Space Opera, Thriller, Drama
Length: 9,153 words
Structure: 1 section, 275 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

Good citation fit

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Science Fiction — The book explores futuristic themes, space travel, and advanced technology, characteristic of the science fiction genre.
Adventure — The plot involves a thrilling escape, pursuit, and survival in a hostile environment, typical of adventure narratives.
Space Opera — The story features interstellar travel, a dramatic conflict involving a fugitive, and a large cast of characters, aligning with space opera conventions.
Thriller — The tension surrounding the escaped convict and the imminent danger to the characters creates a suspenseful atmosphere, fitting the thriller genre.