The pre-takeoff instrument checks were complete, from the control-room speaker the two-minute warning had sounded its raucous, faintly derisive note, and there was nothing now to do but lie listening to the small busy sounds from the ship's automatic machinery.
What starts as yet another journey into outer space becomes a Ballardian exploration of 'inner space' (with added common sense). Lt. Commander George Adrian Surgenor, R. (S.)N. -- Royal (Space) Navy, no less -- acts as Radioman/Medical Officer aboard her Majesty's Space Vessel Mizar. He is, however, outraned only by the Ideal Captain -- and, believe you me, the clue really does lie in the title. This story should have been called The Ideal Captains . . . but I've said too much already.
In magazines
| Title | Published as | Language | Editor | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New Worlds 74, August 1958 | English | John Carnell | August 1958 | |
|
Urania (collana) 421, 30 January 1966 | Vortice di relitti; Astronave a grappolo; Il Comandante Ideale | Italian | Carlo Fruttero, Franco Lucentini | 30 January 1966 |
|
Urania (collana) 770, 11 February 1979 | Vortice di relitti; Il Comandante Ideale; Astronave a grappolo | Italian | Carlo Fruttero, Franco Lucentini | 11 February 1979 |
In James White's books
| Title | Type | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Deadly Litter | Collection | 1964 |
NEW WORLDS No 74, August 1958
Publication History: Deadly Litter
ISFDB title record (CC BY 4.0).