Double-Cross

"Double-Cross" by Frederik Pohl is a science fiction story set on Venus, where a descendant of the first Earth colonists leads a dangerous rebellion. The narrative explores themes of political betrayal and the clash between Earth's colonists and the native Venusians. A leader named Svan plans to detonate a bomb on an Earth-bound ship to prevent more colonists from arriving, believing the influx will threaten the native culture. As Svan organizes the mission, suspicion and uncertainty grow among his followers, finally culminating in a tragic attempt to rescue him from his mission, resulting in an explosion. The tragic ending of this story emphasizes the destructive consequences of fear and desperate measures.