Rogue Ship

Rogue Shipis a 1965science fictionnovel by Canadian-American writerA. E. van Vogt,adapted from three short stories to form a novel.The three short stories used were:

• "Centaurus II" (Originally published inAstounding Science-Fiction,June 1947)
• "Rogue Ship" (Originally published inSuper Science Stories,March 1950)
• "The Expendables" (Originally published inif Worlds of Science Fiction,September 1963)

Rogue Ship

First edition
Author	A. E. van Vogt
Cover artist	Peeter Rauch
Language	English
Series	Centaurus
Genre	Science fiction
Publisher	Doubleday
Publication date	October 1965
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	213
OCLC	23043729

Using Van Vogt's own terminology when creating a novel from 3 previous short stories, he named it afixup.

Plot summary

Centaurus is the destination of the space shipThe Hope of Man.It has been traveling through space for almost twenty years, and still has nine years of flight remaining. For many on board the craft, Earth has become a vague memory, while for others it is a mere dot in the vast starry reaches of space. Restlessness is evident everywhere; the people want to return to a place they know is inhabited - not continue to an unknown where life is uncertain. Mutiny seems inevitable. Captain Lesbee (the ship's main officer) knows that mutiny breeds mutiny, but what is more significant is his knowledge of Earth's possible obliteration. The one hope is Centaurus. Now more than ever, there can be no turning back. Order has to be maintained even at the price of human life.

After reaching Centaurus and finding it unsuitable for human life,The Hope of Manheads towards the next destination, the Alta system. Because the ship is unable to attain light speed it takes decades to travel there. Upon arriving in the system, after mutiny and treachery,The Hope of Manis now captained by Browne, a descendant of the ship's original First Officer.The Hope of Manenters into orbit around Alta III, but find it already inhabited and come under attack from the occupants. During this time we see a struggle for power by various groups. Control changes quickly from one character to another until the arrival of the ship's owner, Averill Hewitt. The novel concludes with Hewitt in charge and the ship finding many planets to inhabit.

External links

• Rogue Shiptitle listing at theInternet Speculative Fiction Database
• Centaurusseries listing at theInternet Speculative Fiction Database