Leigh Brackett

Even in this grip of alien horror a man could not throw away his lifetime goal . . . and not stand idly by as endless rows of alabaster, shapes seated in their chars of stone, thought-rules this gargoyle planet from the dead blackness of deep Mercurian caverns. Leigh Brackett was the undisputed Queen of Space Opera and the first women to be nominated for the coveted Hugo Award. She wrote short stories, novels, and scripts for Hollywood. She wrote the first draft of the Empire Strikes Back shortly before her death in 1978.

Even in this grip of alien horror a man could not throw away his lifetime goal . . . and not stand idly by as endless rows of alabaster, shapes seated in their chars of stone, thought-rules this gargoyle planet from the dead blackness of deep Mercurian caverns. Leigh Brackett was the undisputed Queen of Space Opera and the first women to be nominated for the coveted Hugo Award. She wrote short stories, novels, and scripts for Hollywood. She wrote the first draft of the Empire Strikes Back shortly before her death in 1978.

"Queen of the Martian Catacombs" marks the debut of one of Leigh Brackett's most iconic characters: Eric John Stark: orphan child raised on Mercury, who becomes a mercenary, fighting injustices across the solar system.Eric John Stark is hunted by Earth police in the Martian desert. Simon Ashton is with them and makes a deal with Stark to act as his agent in preventing a holy war.An unscrupulous ruler of a Martian Low-Canal city is partnering with a barbarian chief, Kynon, to plunder half the planet. Specialist mercenaries and criminals are coming from all over the solar system to join up.When Stark reaches the city of Valkis, he witnesses a ritual that reveals deception at the highest levels.The journey to the ancient ruins of Sinharat is beset with treachery and sandstorms, leading to a final confrontation with the secret masters of Mars.This version of 'Queen of the Martian Catacombs, ' by Leigh Brackett, was originally published in Planet Stories, 1949, later expanded into 'The Secret of Sinharat'.

GRIMLY Eric John Stark slogged toward that ancient Martian city--with every step he cursed the talisman of Ban Cruach that flamed in his blood-stained belt. Behind him screamed the hordes of Ciaran, hungering for that magic jewel--ahead lay the dread abode of the Ice Creatures--at his side stalked the whispering spectre of Ban Cruach, urging him on to a battle Stark knew he must lose Stark is taking a dying friend, Camar the Thief, back to his native city in the north of the planet. Just before his death Camar entrusts Stark with a talisman he had stolen, wanting him to return it. Soon, Stark is ambushed by bandits and presented to their leader, the warrior Ciaran. Joining up with Ciaran's band, Stark embarks on adventures and battles--through cities under siege and conflicts with strange aliens--that will decide the ultimate fate of the talisman and Camar's homeland.