The Year When Stardust Fell
A Science Fiction Novel
By Raymond F. Jones
[Transcriber note: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence thatthe U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Jacket Design by James Heugh
Endpaper Design by Alex Schomburg
Cecile Matschat, Editor
Carl Carmer, Consulting Editor
THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY
Philadelphia, Toronto
Copyright, 1958
By Raymond F. Jones
FIRST EDITION
Made in the United States of America
To Laura Lee
Contents
Of Men of Science
Chapter 1. The Comet
Chapter 2. Breakdown
Chapter 3. Power Failure
Chapter 4. Disaster Spreads
Chapter 5. Thief
Chapter 6. The Scientist
Chapter 7. Dust from the Stars
Chapter 8. Attack
Chapter 9. Judgment
Chapter 10. Victory of the Dust
Chapter 11. The Animals Are Sick
Chapter 12. Decontamination
Chapter 13. Stay Out of Town!
Chapter 14. Mobilization
Chapter 15. Battle
Chapter 16. Black Victory
Chapter 17. Balance of Nature
Chapter 18. Witchcraft
Chapter 19. Conquest of the Comet
Chapter 20. Reconstruction
About the Author
Of Men of Science
The story of man is the story—endlessly repeated—of a struggle:between light and darkness, between knowledge and ignorance, betweengood and evil, between men who would build and men who would destroy. Itis no more complicated than this.
That light, knowledge, good, and constructive men have had a small edgein this struggle is attested to by our slow rise over the long millenniaof time. In taking stock of our successes, however, it is easy to assumethe victory has been won. Nothing could be further from the truth. Thisis a contest that is never ended, nor can it be, as long as men are uponthe Earth.
While man has free choice, the elements of darkness, ignorance, evil anddestruction are available for him to choose, and there are times whenthese seem