The Moon and the Sun

"The Moon and the Sun" by James McKimmey Jr. is a science fiction tale from the 1950s that presents a world gripped by the promise of space travel while grappling with moral uncertainties. The storyline builds tension around the impending launch of a rocketship, showing how a driven project leader and his thoughtful assistant contrast in their views on the use of the project. Their colleague, Randall, is troubled by the idea of weaponizing space, and he makes a statement by abandoning the rocket before take-off in a defiant act of protest. As the rocket blasts off sans pilot, the story encourages us to consider the cost of ambition and the importance of standing up for one's convictions.