Science Fiction Adventures (UK) #5

Science Fiction Adventures, Vol. 1, No. 5 (1958)

This bi-monthly British science fiction magazine features three complete short novels. In "This World Must Die!" by Ivar Jorgenson, Earth Central's computer predicts that Lurion will destroy Earth in sixty-seven years. Security Chief Karnes assigns agent Loy Gardner to lead a five-person team to destroy the planet preemptively, using a chain of sonic generators activated by team members spread across Lurion. Gardner, posing as a jewel-merchant, infiltrates the spaceport and establishes himself in the city. The narrative explores the moral weight of destroying three billion people to prevent a predicted future attack.

"The Star-Combers" by Edmond Hamilton follows scavengers who sell relics of dead civilizations until confronting their true value. "Vengeance of the Space Armadas" by Calvin M. Knox concludes the Chalice of Death trilogy, depicting an assault by fifty battleships from Jorus and Kariad against defenders of a reborn planet. Editor Larry T. Shaw contributes an opening column on gambling and human nature.