Jag har letat efter en pulpy sci-fi bok för bokstavligen 20 år utan lycka till. Kanske är det dags nu? Jag läste bara en del av boken, men den del jag kommer ihåg gör något som helst:
En man vaknar på morgonen efter att en komet har passerat nära jorden. Hans hela grannskap och staden Los Angeles (jag tror?) Är tomma. Han får en bil och leder till kusten. Längs vägen finner han en annan levande person. När de når kusten ser de och flaggar ner en båt, som visar sig vara en del av den australiska flottan. Alla sjömän lever, men deras hud har blivit blå.
Inte mycket att fortsätta, men någon hjälp skulle uppskattas.
Invaders From Rigel aka Onslaught från Rigel av Fletcher Pratt , även svaret på den gamla frågan Vilken historia har en man vaken för att hitta sig förvandlad till levande metall? Kanske en av dessa omslag kommer att ringa en klocka. Historien finns tillgänglig på Project Gutenberg .
Utländskt rymdskepp är felaktigt för en komet:
"What is it? Am I crazy, are you, or are we both?"
"Of course not. Greatest thing that ever happened. The big comet. They said she was radioactive, but most of 'em wouldn't believe it. Now look what it did." (Murray Lee remembered vaguely some newspaper palaver about a giant comet that was going to strike the earth—argument and counter-argument as to whether it would have a serious effect.) "Everybody's turned to metal; nize machinery, ate oop all de axle-grease. You need oil. Stick around."
[. . . .]
"Will you sit down and tell me consecutively what it's all about before I bash you?" asked Murray, petulantly. "Being turned into a machine is not the easiest thing in the world on one's temper; it upsets the disposition."
"Some sort of a special extra radioactive gas storm connected with the comet, I think, though I can't be sure. It's made machines of all of us, now and forever more. We'll live on electric current after this and won't have to bother about little things like doctors if we can find a good mechanic. But it killed a lot of people. Come along, I'll show you."
Blåskinniga australiensiska sjömän:
"... His Majesty's Australian ship Brisbane, they say," said Murray. "Wait a minute, since they're so near, I think I can switch them over to the radiophone." He ticked the key a moment, then twisted more dials and leaned back as a full and fruity voice, with a strong English accent, filled the room.
"Compliments of Captain Entwhistle of the Royal Australian Navy to the commander of the U. S. S. Ward, and can we arrange a meeting? The Comet appears to have done a good deal of damage in your part of the world and you are the first people we have encountered."
[. . . .]
"Where's your microphone?" asked Ben. "Oh, there.... Compliments of Benjamin Franklin Ruby, temporarily in command of U. S. S. Ward to Captain Entwhistle of the Royal Australian Navy, and none of us are sailors. We just borrowed this ship, and if you want to see us you'll have to pick us up. We'll keep along the coast toward Cape May. Can you meet us?"
[. . . .]
They ceased speaking as the thin pennon of smoke, followed by two tall masts, became visible over the horizon. In a few minutes more the Brisbane swept up, swung a circle and came to rest near them, while out from her side dropped a boat that began to move toward them with dipping oars.
A moment later she was alongside. Ben stepped out on the deck, and as he did so, there was a mutual exclamation of horrified amazement—for Captain Entwhistle of the Royal Australian Navy was as much flesh and blood as any man they had seen in the old days, but a pale blue in color, and all his sailors were of the same extraordinary hue.
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