STEAMPUNK SCI-FI from 1930!
Air Wonder Stories, March, 1930
THE X GAS
by Cyril Plunkett
illustrated by Winter
The ship drifted lower and lower. Two ladders were lowered and they swarmed upward: hard, evil looking creatures. All were heavily armed. The lives of the entire crew were at stake.
Ch 1: An Unpardonable Offense
Ch 2: The Submarine
Ch 3: Grennen Resolves
Ch 4: Battle in the Corridors
RECENT developments have shown that there is practically no limit to the size to which dirigibles may be constructed. The invention and use of new metal alloys with which to cover the dirigible will give it greater and greater stability, and extend by a good measure its operating possibilities. Of course, the dirigible's field of operation in war is limited because the larger it becomes, the more of a target it makes for the enemy artillery. To offset this, the dirigible can rise to great heights and therefore remain out of range of enemy aircraft.
Mr. Plunkett in his thrilling story has shown us what the menace of a dirigible might be. His story is simply filled with scientific incidents; and he shows in quite a dramatic fashion how in future warfare, waged between either individuals or nations, a new scientific device may suddenly turn the tide of battle. Mr. Plunkett is a new author and he makes his entry into the field of science fiction in a very convincing manner.
Quite possibly Cyril Plunket's first published work.
5600 words.
