
Lynne Fenlay has been sent to a Mars outpost as part of a tightly knit research team, but a sudden, relentless headache threatens to unravel her place in the group. The ache is labeled “psychosomatic” by the clinic, leaving her to wonder if stress, rivalry, or something more alien is at work. As she shares meals and long walks with her fiancé Ray and the enigmatic Janet, Lynde feels the pressure of expectations and the fear of being deemed unfit for the mission.
The story follows Lynne’s attempts to balance her own health, a demanding schedule, and the subtle power plays that surface when three young adults live in close quarters under a watchful overseer. The Martian landscape provides a stark, beautiful backdrop for the uneasy chemistry among the trio, making every conversation feel like a small negotiation for survival and affection. Listeners will be drawn into this tense, character‑driven start of a classic sci‑fi drama.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (126K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York, NY: King-Size Publications, Inc., 1953.
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2023-12-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1910–1996
Known for lively science fiction and mystery stories, this mid-century writer also helped shape the pulp magazines where many classic SF readers first found the genre. His work blends big ideas with the brisk pace of popular fiction.
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