Invaders of the Forbidden Moon

"Invaders of the Forbidden Moon" by Raymond Z. Gallun is a thrilling science fiction story that imagines a future where humanity has conquered space, yet faces deadly mysteries. The tale circles around Io, a dangerous moon of Jupiter guarded by a powerful energy field that obliterates any approaching spacecraft. The narrative follows Evan Harwich, a space patrol officer, who becomes entangled in a risky mission with Paul Arnold, the son of a scientist killed trying to pierce Io’s defenses. Together, they defy the odds, crash-landing on the forbidden moon and discovering the remnants of an ancient society, the Ionians, who fell from grace due to their reliance on technology. Their expedition becomes even more perilous when they encounter the villainous George Bayley, who seeks to harness Io’s advanced technology for his personal enrichment. The story reaches a critical convergence as Harwich and Arnold battle Bayley, sparking a profound reflection on technology's influence on people and the cost of ambition.