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Volume 1, Issue #6

"Stand By For Mars!"

June 2006

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The Tom Corbett series Sourcebook Search hundreds of pages of The Thunder Child for practically any science fiction topic you're looking for. Your search results will open in a new window. If you don't find what you're looking for, you can also search the web.   Web thethunderchild.com Searching! Searching! Searching! Stand By For Mars, by Carey Rockwell (1952) From the rocket fields of the Academy To the far-flung stars of outer space We're Space Cadets training to be Ready for dangers we may face. Up in the sky, rocketing past Higher than high, faster than fast Out into space, into the sun Look at her go when we give her the gun. The first few chapters of Space Cadet by Robert Heinlein and Stand By For Mars! by Carey Rockwell, are very similar. The protagonist arrives at space academy and is introduced to military (or rather, 'para-military' life). He has to take aptitude tests. He's put in a unit with two other characters, one who becomes a friend and the other who is a pain in the neck. From there the two books diverge, as they then explore different themes. In Stand By For Mars, the theme is one of building a friendship - of building an inseparable unit. The Tom Corbett Series (White titles link to detailed analyses) 1) Stand By For Mars! 2) Danger in Deep Space 3) On The Trail of the Space Pirates 4) The Space Pioneers 5) The Revolt on Venus 6) Treachery in Outer Space 7) Sabotage in Space 8) The Robot Rocket Tom Corbett and Astro hit it off at once. Their first unit mate washes out and Roger Manning takes his place - and Roger Manning is not a team player, and does his best to cause trouble. How the three men become welded into an inseparable unit, through their experiences and adventures, forms the rest of the book...and it's always been my favorite. Characters Tom Corbett - main character Astro - Tom's best friend Philip Morgan - cadet candidate Roger Manning - the uncooperative cadet Steve Strong - Polaris unit commander Dr. Joan Dale - Inventor of the hyperdrive Warrant Officer Mike McKenny - 'Drill' instructor This first in the Tom Corbett series spends its first few chapters detailing the rigorous tests that the Cadet Candidates, aka Earthworms, have to go through to become Space Cadets. The personality conflicts between Tom Corbett, Astro and Roger Manning provide the tension. Superficially, the trio come together to become a unit. While out in space on maneuvers, the Polaris answers an SOS from a space liner. Passengers are evacuated to the Polaris, and Tom, Roger and Astro remain aboard her in an attempt to bring her to Mars. But the liner crash lands on Mars, and the three boys must pull together if they are to survive the harsh, forbidding environment. Note: The illustrations from the series done by Louis Glanzman. The book illustrations are in black-and-white. The coloring was done by a young kid who knew not what she did.

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1.	It's the first day of Space Academy, and boys from Earth, Mars and Venus have arrived at the monorail station at Space Academy. "They were dressed in many different styles of clothes; the loose, flowing robes of the lads from the Martian deserts; the knee-length shorts and high stockings of the boys from the Venusian jungles; the vari-colored jacket and trouser combinations of the boys from the magnificent Earth cities." Tom Corbett accidentally draws the wrath of Warrant Officer McKenny, and we also meet Astro, the big Venusian. Roger Manning makes himself unpopular from the beginning. Tom, Astro and Philip Morgan room together, and in the privacy of their quarters take the Space Academy oath: ("It is something each candidate locks in his spirit, his mind and his heart. That is why it is taken in your quarters. The oath is not a show of color, it is a way of life. Each candidate will face as closely as possible in the direction of his home and swear by his own individual God..."	Learn more or Buy Now
2.	The first day at Space Academy begins at 0530 hours. Senior cadets go about their own tasks, but for the new Earthworms, they must take placement tests to find out if they will be command, engineering or astrogation candidates. If they wash out completely, they are sent back home. (They take these tests at the Academy to put the utmost pressure on them...and those who wash out can always join the enlisted corps.) Dr. Joan Dale gives the placement tests. She's the only female scientist at the Academy, the rest of the women are in clerical positions. Philip Morgan washes out (he will join the enlisted ranks and be seen in a future book) and Astro, Tom and Roger Manning are assigned to Unit 42-D. Roger Manning makes himself unpleasant immediately. "I know this Academy like the back of my hand. Never mind how, just take it for granted. I know it. I'm here for the ride. For a special reason I wouldn't care to have you know. I'll get my training and then pull out. So from now on, you two guys leave me alone. You bore me to death with your emotional childish allegiance to this?this?space kindergarten!"	Learn more or Buy Now
3.	Captain Steve Strong and Dr. Joan Dale discuss the problems between the Polaris unit. It's been three weeks and there's been friction every day. Commander Walters assigns Captain Strong to be their unit lerader.	Learn more or Buy Now
4.	The training of an Earthworm is gone into in detail. Strong visits their room and describes his own unit: "All units design their own rings. There are only three like this in the universe. One is drifting around in space on the finger of Sam Jones. Another is blasting a trail to the stars on the finger of Addy Garcia." He led up his finger. "This is the third one." Strong exits, but Manning is not impressed with his team-building speech. Tom tells Roger he hopes he'd never be in a position to trust Roger with his life.	Learn more or Buy Now
5.	In order to settle their differences, Tom and Roger have a private boxing match. (This took place in one of the first episodes of the TV show as well). Tom wins, but to no avail. "Tom had won the fight, he thought, but he had lost the war. The unit was now farther apart than it had ever been.	Learn more or Buy Now
6.	Captain Strong gives Corbett his Control Deck exam, and Tom passes. Manning succeeds also. Astro, who is a genius on the Engineering Deck, is not as good at astrogation, but must know the principles. Manning insults him, and Astro leaves for his exams determined to pass to spite Manning.	Learn more or Buy Now
7.	Tom learns that Roger has been betting other cadets that Astro would pass. He learns that Roger insulted Astro to spur him on. Astro does indeed pass, and indeed the entire unit passed with the highest marks. They are to report the next day for duty on their brand-new rocketship, the Polaris.	Learn more or Buy Now
8.	That evening, Astro and Tom discuss the situation. They decide to request that Roger be transferred from their unit, as they imply don't trust them. Tom goes towards Captain Strong's quarters, but pauses in the Great Hall, and a monument to the Space Queen. The pilot of the Space Queen had sacrificed his life for his unit mates. Tom sees Roger crying in front of the monument. He changes his mind and returns to their headquarters, and persuades Astro to wait. They will try to kill Roger with kindness instead.	Learn more or Buy Now
9.	Tom, Roger and Astro are introduced to their rocket ship Polaris, and begin training aboard her under the command of Strong. They blast off for a training flight, and return successfully.	Learn more or Buy Now
10.	The finals of the Mercury Ball championship are being held. Roger is being his usual obstructive self until he learns that the winners of the Championship get a 3-day pass. Immediately he starts playing with his teammates, and they win the final game.	Learn more or Buy Now
11.	Tom, Roger and Astro head out to Astro City. They take a monorail. On the way they meet a Mr. Bernard, who treats them to dinner. All his life he wanted to be a spaceman, but his heart culdn't take the acceleration. He starts telling the story of a friend of his...but Roger quickly cuts him off and tells him they must leave. The boys enjoy themselves in Atom City, but are called back early to take part in Space Maneuvers.	Learn more or Buy Now
12.	The Space Maneuvers take place, and Tom Corbett in command of the Polaris orchestrates a coup. They don't enjoy it for long, as a real emergency puts an end to the Maneuvers. A space liner is disabled, and they must go rescue the passengers.	Learn more or Buy Now
13.	The Polaris arrives at the Lady Venus and, putting the Polaris on autopilot, head over to the ship in space boats.	Learn more or Buy Now
14.	The passengers of the Lady Venus are evacuated to the Polaris, but Astro has gone down to the engine deck to try to save the ship. Tom and Roger go after them.	Learn more or Buy Now
15.	Tom, Roger and Astro work on the Lady Venus to cut loose the engine that is wildcatting, while the Polaris stands off a safe distant.	Learn more or Buy Now
16.	The boys head the Lady Venus towards Mars, but they miscalculated the fuel loss after jettisoning the engine. They end up crashing on Mars.	Learn more or Buy Now
17.	The boys survive. But...the radio is dead. And...a sand storm kicks up.	Learn more or Buy Now
18.	The sandstorm rages for 2 days, completely covers the ship, making it look like a sand dune. And, the boys are trapped within the ship. They try to get through, but are unable to. Roger loses it. He explains his attitude - his father had been a Solar Guard officer, and had died saving the life of another man, 'who hadn't deserved it.' "I had a reason I told you and it's just this! To make Space Academy pay me back! To train me to be one of the best astrogators in the universe so I could go into commercial ships and pile up credits! Plenty of credits and have a good life, and to be sure my mother had a good life - what's left of it. And the whole thing goes right back to when my father made the decision to let a space rat live, and die in his place! So leave me alone with your big last efforts-and grandstand plays for glory. From now on, keep your big fat mourth shut!" Tom, with his parents and siblings, can't answer him, but Astro can. I got one [hard luck story] that'll make your life look like a spaceman's dream! At least you know about your father. And you lived with your mother. I didn't have anything! Did you hear that, Manning? I didn't even have a pair of shoes, until I found a kid at the Venusport spaceport one day and figured his shoes would fit me. I beat the space gas out of him and took his shoes. And then they were so tight, they hurt my feet. I don't know who my father was, except that he was a spaceman. A rocket buster, like me. And my mother? She died when I was born. Since I can remember, I've been on my own. When I was twelve, I was hanging around the spaceport day and night. I learned to buck rockets by going aboard when the ships were cradled for repairs, eunning dry ones, going through the motions, I talked to spacemen?all who would listen to me. I lied about my age, and because I was a big kid, I was blasting off when I was fifteen. What little education I've got, I picked up listening to the crew talk on long hops and listening to every audioslide I could get my hands on. I've had it tough. And because I have had it tough, I want to forget about it. I don't want to be reminded what it's like to be so hungry that I'd go out into the jungle and trap small animals and take a chance on meeting a tyrannosaurus. So lay off that stuff about feeling sorry for yourself. And about Tom being a hero, because with all your space gas you still can't take it! And if you don't want to fight to live, then go lie down in the corner and just keep your big mouth shut! Roger is shamed into relenting. He doesn't apologize, but he is prepared to work with his teammates now.	Learn more or Buy Now
19.	Astro has figured a way for them to escape the ship. The sand has piled up all along one side, so they go out the other. Once outside the ship, they have to go on a long walk towards civilization.	Learn more or Buy Now
20.	The days are long and hot. They rest during the day and travel at night. But they have little water and no food.	Learn more or Buy Now
21.	They continue on, day after day. Roger collapses, and Tom gets sand in his eyes and can no longer see. Only Astro has the strength to carry on. He heaves Roger over his shoulder, and Tom hangs onto his cloak as they walk along. They're about to give up when they come across a fresh water canal. Their lives are saved...but they still have no food.	Learn more or Buy Now
22.	They come across an abandoned shed, and are able to build a raft on which they float down the canal...weak from hunger. Astro manages to catch a fish and then Tom remembers that he'd heard that one of the projects mentioned at Atom City was a plan to breed both Earth and Venus fish in the canals. But before they have to eat it, they come across the dome of an 'atmosphere booster station,' and are saved. The trio learned that Captain Strong had organized a ground search for them, but "it took three weeks finally to locate the section of desert you landed in." Tom, Roger and Astro have now been welded into an inseperable unit. As Captain Strong exits the room, he 'stares out into the endless desert. "Thank you, Mars, for making spacemen out of the Polaris crew."	Learn more or Buy Now