E. E. Smith (Edward Elmer): Stories

They were four of the greatest minds in the Universe: Two men, two women, lost in an experimental spaceship billions of parsecs from home. And as they mentally charted the Cosmos to find their way back to earth, their own loves and hates were as startling as the worlds they encountered.

The Masters had ruled all space with an unconquerable iron fist. But the Masters were gone. And this new, young race who came now to take their place--could they hope to defeat the ancient Enemy of All?

The first book in the Skylark series and pits the hero, Dick Seaton, against Marc "Blackie" DuQuesne. Seaton is intelligent, good-looking, young, and capable. So is DuQuesne, but he is totally unprincipled and has a lot of money. Seaton is an idealistic scientist making his discoveries for the good of mankind. DuQuesne is pragmatic, out only to gain personal power and enrich himself, and will go to any lengths to win.

is the second book in the Skylark series and is set a year or so after the events in The Skylark of Space. During that time Marc "Blackie" DuQuesne (pronounced "Du Kane") has used the wealth he was given by the Kondalians of the planet Osnome to buy a controlling interest in World Steel, a large company known for its ruthless attitude, aiming to get what it wants by fair means or foul.

When the Inter-Planetary Corporation's (IPC) crack liner, "IPV Arcturus", took off on a routine flight to Mars, it turned out to be the beginning of an unexpected and long voyage.