Triplanetary

Triplanetary chronicles the ancient cosmic war between the benevolent Arisians and the parasitic Eddorians, who secretly manipulate human history from Atlantis to Rome. The narrative follows early heroes like Conway Costigan and the development of an inertialess super-ship, setting the stage for humanity's role in a galaxy-spanning conflict.

The book opens with the Arisians and Eddorians, two ancient races from colliding galaxies, locked in a struggle for universal dominance. The Arisians, masters of mental force, guide evolution across the cosmos to create a race capable of opposing the Eddorians. On Earth, they manipulate bloodlines and historical events—such as the fall of Atlantis and Nero's Rome—to breed superior humans. The Eddorian agent Gharlane works to corrupt and control humanity, but his efforts are increasingly thwarted. In the 20th century, Triplanetary, the unified government of Earth, Mars, and Venus, faces threats from the criminal mastermind Gray Roger (Gharlane in disguise) and alien Nevians. Key characters include Conway Costigan, a daring Triplanetary officer who falls in love with Clio Marsden; Captain Bradley; and scientists Rodebush and Cleveland, who test the revolutionary inertialess super-ship Boise. After a series of captures, escapes, and battles, Costigan, Clio, and Bradley are rescued by the Boise, while the cosmic conflict escalates, hinting at the future formation of the Galactic Patrol.