The Second Space Patrol MEGAPACK ™: 30 Classic Science Fiction Stories by Eando Binder

Author:Eando Binder [Binder, Eando]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: comics, science fiction, space opera, pulp, sci-fi
ISBN: 9781479403912
Publisher: Wildside Press LLC
Published: 2015-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

The beachcomber led the way and they hopped across the stretches of the Sargasso Sea, from one old hulk to the next. Jon peeped into some windows and shuddered. Skeletons. Many a ship had drifted here with all its crew dead.

The beachcomber proudly waved and ushered Jon into one huge spaceship hull that was intact. Inside, fresh air was pumped out of pressure tanks, salvaged from some other ship. The inner space was jammed with all kinds of furniture, dishes, books, draperies, cushions, and clothing—all gleaned by the beachcomber.

“All the comforts of home,” chortled the beachcomber. “I even have a phonograph and lots of records. And a movie projector. And not only that—look—”

He opened a huge chest and Jon gasped. It was filled with gleaming golden coins, paper money, and a heap of jewelry and rings and watches. Jon was amazed. “You mean you went from wreck to wreck and found all these things? Why, that makes you rich.”

The beachcomber shrugged. “What good does it do me? No ship will ever come to pick me up. And I can’t leave because every ship’s engine is always wrecked. I can’t even radio anybody because the radios are smashed, too. So I’m just stuck here, like a hermit.” He eyed Jon solemnly. “And so are you, son. Make up your mind to it. You’ll have to become a beachcomber, like me, to live!”

Jon went cold, but the logic was sound. It was only a moment later that they saw a glint of metal far off in space, and a new wreck slowly drifted in. One whole side of it was bashed in, as if it had been struck by a meteor. The derelict became part of The Sargasso Sea of Space.

In a daze, Jon helped the beachcomber take out supplies that were intact—tins of food and such. But Jon suddenly darted to the radio. Partly smashed though it was, Jon saw there was a chance to fix it. He labored for hours and finally got it going.

“It’s a weak signal,” he muttered. “But maybe some ship is near enough to pick it up. Lieutenant Jon Jarl calling from the Sargasso Sea of Space! S.O.S.!”

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