The Sword of Johnny Damokles

"The Sword of Johnny Damokles" by Hugh Frazier Parker is a science fiction story that whisks readers to a future of starships and planetary clashes, mainly focusing on a fight against the villainous Tsom Clan of Neptune. It addresses important ideas about authority and the risk of tyranny. The story focuses on Timmy Gordon and Johnny Damokles, who are captured by the Tsom Clan and forced to construct a powerful weapon for invading other planets. The story follows them creating a plan inspired by Greek myths, which joins engineering with Johnny’s knowledge. Their adventure sets up a large fight with the clan's leader, ending in a high-stakes choice with the bomb they built, making a comparison to the worries of power described in the story of Damocles. In the end, their creativity and friendship become vital in the journey to freedom and putting an end to the danger surrounding them.