But before he can start to make plans, he is intercepted on Earth by an associate of his father’s. His son, Biron, vows to find justice for his father. It turns out that the Rancher of Widemos is a political resister to the ruling Tyranni autocracy. Biron’s father is the Rancher of Widemos, a position roughly analogous to an aristocratic ruler, like a duke or prince.

Planetary travel is similar to travelling to another state or maybe traveling internationally, considering the paperwork requirements. Humanity has spread out across the galaxy. Our hero, Biron Ferrill, is from another planet. Geiger counters and radiation badges are a way of life. The remaining population live in concentrated population zones. Humanity has survived a nuclear war and parts of the globe are completely uninhabitable. The buildings on Earth are all built to withstand a nuclear blast. The story is set in the future by about 1,000 years. It’s a fun sci-fi action-adventure story. Published in 1951, I was expecting a tale that felt like 1951, but instead I enjoyed a classic science-fiction adventure that satisfied both the Star Trek and Star Wars fan in me.

Let’s talk about The Stars, Like Dust by Isaac Asimov and the story of a college kid who is targeted for assassination because of his father’s political power at home. No, it’s not the 1934 comic Flash Gordon nor is it Star Wars, though there are similarities. The hero gets the girl and then joins a nascent rebellion against the galactic dictator. There’s a treacherous friend and a stalwart supporter. A princess of another planet who runs from an arranged marriage. Today, I’m going to talk about a space adventure story! There’re blasters! There’s faster-than-light travel! There’s an heir whose father is accused of treason by an evil space empire.

The stars like dust