
In a bustling orbital dock where massive space‑boats grind against concrete walls, a once‑brilliant pilot named Rhiannon drifts through the haze of radiation‑induced madness. He’s reduced to a childlike hulking figure, clinging to fleeting moments of clarity, while an odd, tentacled creature named Tweety perches on his arm like a mischievous sidekick. The dock’s cacophony—cranes, clanking monorails, and the low chant of workers—frames a world where even the most skilled aviators can become “tubemonkeys,” barely remembering their own names.
Enter a pair of scheming officials who see Rhiannon’s broken mind as a perfect tool for a risky mission. They promise a chance to pilot a ship again, hoping his lingering brilliance will guide them through hostile territory, even if his memory falters. As Rhiannon straps into the lift, the story teeters between gritty space‑opera and dark comedy, inviting listeners to wonder whether a damaged genius can still navigate the treacherous currents of war and redemption.
Language
en
Duration
~26 minutes (25K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Mar 2, 2021
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1923–1998
A versatile mid-century science-fiction writer, Jerome Bixby created unforgettable stories of strange powers, alien worlds, and unsettling human choices. His work reached millions through The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, and the posthumously produced film The Man from Earth.
View all books
by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby

by Jerome Bixby