Nebula Science Fiction No. 24

About this issue

Nebula Science-Fiction No. 24 (September 1957) features Kenneth Bulmer's novelette "The Ties of Iron," a story about biological machines or self-replicating entities on the planet Baskerville. A crew aboard the Terran Survey Scout Gladius—including executive officer Loftus Tait, biologist Martin, and metallurgist Ferrari—discovers aggressive mechanical creatures nicknamed "Baskers." These entities possess alarming capabilities: they can sustain damage and regrow destroyed components (such as wheels) while wielding metal jaws. When a Basker captures crew member Dollins, Commander Jefferies, mentally deteriorating from space-induced illness, orders immediate evacuation despite Tait's plea to mount a rescue. The issue also contains Kenneth Johns' technical article "Jupiter the Mighty," examining the gas giant's composition and atmosphere, alongside short stories by E.C. Tubb, Philip E. High, A. Bertram Chandler, and Kris Neville, plus Lan Wright's novel "Proving Ground."