Author
Robert Wicks
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Subjects
Books by Robert Wicks
The Impersonator
"The Impersonator" by Robert Wicks is a science fiction novel written during the early 1960s. The book explores themes of identity, memory, and the consequences of human actions in the face of global catastrophe. It features the protagonist, Paul Chandler, who grapples with his own identity while facing the imminent threat of massive glaciation and a subsequent ice age, leading a team charged with a daring plan to avert disaster. In the narrative, Paul Chandler awakens in a stark laboratory, unable to recall his previous experiences but instinctively aware of his identity as a geophysicist assigned to lead Project Ice Thaw. Throughout meetings with international delegates, tensions rise over various plans to combat the glaciation, which leads Chandler to propose an audacious concept of tapping into the Earth's core for heat. As political machinations unfold and an unexpected conflict with his colleague Kotenko arises, Chandler's journey culminates in a tense moment when a catastrophic decision is made regarding the project. Ultimately, the story delves deep into the concept of fate, revealing that Chandler's consciousness is part of a larger experiment to save Earth and humanity from destruction, leading to profound philosophical questions about existence and purpose.
The Quantum Jump
"The Quantum Jump" by Robert Wicks is a science fiction novella published in 1958. The story is set in a futuristic context where space exploration is at the forefront of human endeavor. It explores themes of technological advancement and the implications of time dilation during interstellar travel, particularly focusing on the notion of a "quantum jump" as a major leap in space travel capabilities. The narrative follows Captain Brandon, an astronaut on a mission to explore the planet Sirius Three. After his ship malfunctions, he is forced to eject and crash-lands on the planet. As he struggles for survival, Brandon grapples with the harsh realities of being stranded in an alien environment. Meanwhile, back on his spaceship, Colonel Towers obsessively pursues his goal of being the first to set foot on another solar system, seemingly oblivious to the fate of his crew member. Through a series of unexpected events, Brandon discovers that significant technological advancements have occurred in the thirteen years since he left Earth. Ultimately, he encounters fellow explorers who reveal that while he experienced only a few years of travel, civilization on Earth has advanced immensely, hinting at the irony of his predicament and the true meaning of a quantum leap.