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The Robot Inheritance
STATS
Bastei Lübbe #25008, ISBN 3-404-00914-2, 153 pages, 14 chapters, 36 lines/page
In this novel, H. W. Springer again uses characters only seen in the Butterworth books. Sahn appears early on, although not as a unique character (contradicting the Butterworth books) since it is just Sandra Benes nickname. Mark Macinlock again makes an appearance in this novel, however this time around he is a major character - heading up two of the Eagle expeditions as the Chief Pilot and having a significant role in the resolution of the story. Jameson also makes a quick appearance, once again ready to shoot the surface lasers if only someone would give him the chance.
After H. W. Springer inundated the reader in the first novel with the introduction of over a dozen new Alphan characters, only a single new character appears in this book (with none of the previous ones returning). Also in contrast to The Andromeda Mystery, is the lack of the constant continuity references to the prior novel. In The Robot Inheritance, there is a single mention near the end of the book stating that the earlier incident with the Dju at the edge of the galaxy has negatively affected the interpersonal relationships on Alpha. Unfortunately, that is all that is said.
Once again, the reader is given a straightforward nonstop action adventure. The characters do not spend time pondering their role in the universe, but instead are ready to tackle what it has to throw at them. Koenig once again takes the opportunity to lead an expedition and play the hero; not just once, but twice. The context is clearly Space: 1999, but the story comes across as pure pulp sci-fi action - with space battles, shoot-outs with deadly robots and never-ending crises. The pulp action is forgiven though, when an interesting twist in the last 2 chapters leaves the reader with a much welcomed Year 1 style melancholy ending.
This second novel begins with the Alphans frantically working to determine if they are on a collision course with a giant blue sun, a star so large it would encompass the orbit of Mars if placed in the center of Earth's solar system. In an interesting bit of dialog that occurs early on in the Command Center, Carter states that space is so vast that collisions are practically impossible. With the first reference in these books to Year 1, Helena counters with the argument that they have already had a collision: with the planet Astheria!
Although computer predictions indicate that the Moon will miss the blue sun, Koenig is still worried that they will pass near enough to encounter problems from the star's coronal ejections. While examining the star with sensors at their extreme range, a most unlikely discovery is made - there is a terrestrial type planet in an extremely distant orbit. Soon afterwards, the Moon's course alters unexpectedly, and is shifted just enough so that the Moon is heading directly into the heart of the star!
Koenig quickly determines that a gravitational weapon has been used on the Alphans and that this gravity cannon must be located on Peculiar - the newly discovered planet. Koenig also realizes that Alpha's only hope is to somehow get control of the gravity cannon and shift the Moon's course back on track.
Koenig heads up an expedition to Peculiar, only to discover a war torn desolate sphere defended by orbiting gravity guns. After a spectacular action sequence of the Eagle being ripped apart by gravity cannons and the Alphans free-falling to the surface of Peculiar, Koenig and company then must fight the robot warriors on the surface of the airless world. They eventually battle their way to the central computer, take over the gravity cannon and successfully alter the Moons course just enough so that it will not hit the sun.
Later, after a harrowing passage through the deadly corona of the sun, the Alphans find that they are yet again on a close approach with a heavenly body. This time with a second world found orbiting the blue sun - this one more Earthlike than Peculiar, except that it is almost entirely covered by water. Koenig leads an expedition to see if any of the small rocky islands on planet Ocean can offer the Alphans a chance for a new home, only to discover that one of the islands is already inhabited with refugees from the planet Peculiar. . .
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Inexorably the Alphan Moon approaches the lethal coronal eruptions of a wandering blue sun. However, another force field is pushing the Moon off course and towards certain death. It comes from the planet Peculiar, a dead, hostile world, which a gruesome war has devastated. Commander John Koenig, chief pilot Carter, the Psychon Maya and an Exobiologist start after Peculiar. There they come upon robots, which are using their most dangerous weapons - the gravitation cannons... |
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