Stopover Planet
Illustrated by W. E. Terry
"Stopover Planet" by Robert E. Gilbert is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative centers on a bizarre encounter where an alien being captures various Earth inhabitants, showcasing the strange and often dark interplay between their desires and the aliens' predatory nature. The story is crafted within a whimsical yet eerie setting that reflects the fusion of daily life with fantastical elements. In "Stopover Planet," the plot unfolds as various characters from Earth, including a patrolman, a baker, and a reverend, are drawn into a peculiar scheme orchestrated by aliens. The aliens seduce these individuals by exploiting their desires—whether for promotion, love, or familial security—before capturing them in a mysterious truck. As the aliens prepare to take their captives to another dimension, they reflect on the unique traits of humanity and their own mission to collect specimens for the Galactic Museum of Natural History. Through sharp humor and absurdity, the story critiques human nature and explores themes of selfishness and the struggle for connection.
Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.
- Language
- English
- On Project Gutenberg since
- 17 September 2009
- Read in the last 30 days
- 550 times at Project Gutenberg
More by Robert E. Gilbert
See all: More by Robert E. Gilbert
More from the shelf “Science Fiction”
See all: More from the shelf “Science Fiction”
The Time Machine
The war of the worlds
Thuvia, maid of Mars
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
A Journey to the Centre of the Earth
The Misplaced Battleship
A Honeymoon in Space
The House on the Borderland
Anthem
A princess of Mars
The Mysterious Island
The Lost World
Voyage au Centre de la Terre
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World
Time Crime
The Shunned House
The gods of Mars
Lone Star Planet
The warlord of Mars
