
In a bleak, wind‑scarred world where the remnants of humanity cling to the hollowed‑out hull of an ancient ship, a desperate community fights to survive. The story follows Wes Kirk, a hardened survivor who, driven by anger and loss, confronts the oppressive hierarchy of captains and officers that dominate the settlement. As he wrestles with his own rage, the fragile bonds among the cast‑aways—Ma Kirk, the children, and the enigmatic “yellow daughter”—are tested.
When Wes discovers a secret hidden within the ship’s core—a source of life for the dying colonists—he faces a painful choice: protect his people or hand the knowledge to their enemies. His decision sets off a chain of betrayal that threatens everything he holds dear, especially the love he has for the captain’s daughter. The narrative builds a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere, drawing listeners into a world of stark survival, moral conflict, and the haunting question of what one is willing to sacrifice for hope.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (64K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-06-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1915–1978
A pioneering writer who moved easily between pulp science fiction and Hollywood, creating vivid adventure stories on the page and helping shape classic films on the screen. Best known for her planetary romances, noir work, and screenwriting, she built a career that still feels energetic and modern.
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