
Part 1
A team of scientists on a remote planetary research outpost is shaken when a colleague collapses without any trace of injury or insect bite. The investigators—Fenwick, Gorsline, and their chief, Hagen—scrutinize the quiet, seemingly empty landscape, noting the eerie stillness of the flora and the absence of ordinary wildlife sounds. Their routine surveys of soil, plants, and insects suddenly feel like a hunt for something that refuses to be seen.
As they piece together the last moments of the victim’s life, the crew debates whether a hidden predator could be stalking the station, camouflaged beyond detection. Tensions rise, and the sterile corridors of the outpost become a backdrop for uneasy speculation and mounting dread. Listeners are drawn into a tense, methodical mystery where every subtle clue could point to an unseen menace lurking just beyond the scientists’ instruments.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: Street & Smith Publications, Inc., 1957.
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-02-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1914–1978
A prolific American writer who moved easily from science fiction and fantasy to history and mystery, he is best remembered for helping bring smart, funny adventure to young readers. His long-running Danny Dunn books made science feel playful, imaginative, and full of possibility.
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