Short Fiction · Chapters

Chapters explained

Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman.

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Chapter 1
Back to the Beast
Dr. James Lawlor's journal details his experiment with a serum designed to reverse evolution, allowing him to witness his ancestral forms. Initially successful, he regresses from a primitive man to a beast-like creature. When his clumsy, transformed hands fail to mix the counter-agent, he is trapped in a downward spiral of devolution, losing speech and humanity. The journal ends with his decision to commit suicide by arsenic rather than continue his descent into a primordial state.
Chapter 2
The Invading Asteroid
A mysterious asteroid hurtles toward Earth, sparking global panic and scientific debate. As governments scramble to respond, a small group of astronomers and military officials uncover evidence that the asteroid may be artificially controlled, hinting at an extraterrestrial intelligence behind the impending catastrophe.
Chapter 3
I
The protagonist awakens on the alien world Dondromogon with no memory of his past, guided by a mysterious voice that tells him he was brought from Earth for a destined leadership. He seeks shelter from a dust storm and is confronted by guards who suspect him of being a spy. After a brief struggle, he is rescued by a gentlewoman of the guard named Doriza, who brings him before an officer. An elderly mystic named Sporr identifies him as Yandro, the Conquering Stranger of prophecy.
Chapter 4
II: An Incredible Story
Neil, Bull Mike, and Sukune capture a Martian scout who reveals that an artificial asteroid, built from four joined Martian ships, is hurtling toward Earth with 600,000 troops and 2,000 raiding ships. After using jiujitsu to force a confession, they return to Earth, report to intelligence, and the Martian's story is verified by truth-ray. The high command organizes a 6,000-ship expedition to intercept the asteroid in early March 2676, and the three friends are secretly assigned to the raiding group.
Chapter 5
III: The Deserter
Yaxa, a Martian prisoner, is freed by the Terrestrial Neil Andresson, who defects to the Martian cause. Together they escape in Yaxa's spaceship, taking Sukune and Bull Mike as prisoners. After a journey to the Martian asteroid, Neil is welcomed and given a tour, learning about the asteroid's structure and the central magnetic cable that holds its four sections together.

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Back to the Beast

The Invading Asteroid

I

II: An Incredible Story

III: The Deserter