S. M. Tenneshaw

Name: Let Space Be Your Coffin
Author: S. M. Tenneshaw

Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

Summary

“Let Space Be Your Coffin”, published in 1954, is a work by S. M. Tenneshaw. It explores elements such as Miles, Carol and Deimos.

Quotes from Let Space Be Your Coffin (S. M. Tenneshaw)

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ That had happened before—before the days of the auto-pilot. In those days men had died in space. Their ship blown to a million pieces in the void as the unbalanced fuel mixture reacted with catalytic agents. A nasty way to die, but in a way merciful. The clumsy spaceman who miscalculated never knew what happened. The auto-pilot had taken the risk out of space flight.
It was now going to send Miles Berendt and Carol Grant to their death.
Bert went to work quickly, expertly. He snapped the latch lock of the control panel and laid bare the workings of the auto-pilot. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ The Waring contract is half mine. I'll be damned if he steals the business from me too!"
Miles was on his feet. "I'm warning you, Bert. Stop that kind of talk. You don't know what you're saying."
"I know what I'm saying, and even more, I know what I'm going to do. I'm taking the Viking to Deimos, and once I sign with Waring you can consider our partnership ended. You can have the Earth operation all to your goddamned self. I'll start up with the Deimos deal."
Tanner leaned forward and scooped up the contracts from the desk as Carol watched him in stunned concern. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ You know that. I've always said you were the real brain here—without your technical skill there wouldn't be a Tanner-Berendt Space Lines. But what are you leading up to?"
Tanner's hand ran fondly along the lines of the model ship. "A ship's like a woman—as I said," Bert said. "Both have beauty and dignity, but they're no good without a man ... the right man."
"You're talking in riddles, Bert."
Tanner laughed again. "Like I said, Miles, take this ship. Our first one. I practically built it by hand with Jeff Morrow helping. Jeff loved her almost as much as I did. Even you loved her, I suppose." ”

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Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ The ship being readied for Mars and its mineral laden satellite, Deimos. The ship that Berendt and Carol Grant had planned to usurp for their wedding trip.... Their wedding trip.
Suddenly Bert Tanner's lips pulled back in a harsh grin. It was all clear, suddenly. He had vowed that Miles Berendt would die before he left Earth. That seemed out of the question now. But was it? And Carol? Suddenly he hated her. Her beauty. Her smiling face and friendly charm. A sham. A damned miserable sham. Well, all right. Wedding trip. He thought, two can die as easily as one.... ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ Bert, you sure had me worried for awhile. I couldn't figure it out—but hell, man, I know the strain you've been under worrying about the Deimos contract and the Viking. Come on in. By God we'll have a real party now!"
Bert grinned and returned the firm handclasp.
He walked over to an easy chair and sat down, Miles quickly mixing a drink for him. Bert laughed.
"I invited Jeff Morrow over—hoping it would be all right. Jeff was happy to hear about your engagement too."
Miles nodded. "Glad you did. Jeff's a good guy. The most efficient man we've got. When will he be here?" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ Care to make a final check with me?"
"That won't be necessary, Jeff. You run along and have dinner. I'll leave these Waring contracts in the control room of the Viking. I'll see you later over at Miles' apartment."
"Right, Mr. Tanner. See you later."
Bert stood in the thickening shadows as Jeff walked off. He stood there for long moments, staring up at the towering metal shape that was the Viking. A slim, beautiful ship in its launching cradle. A thing of power, an artistic triumph that could carry a man to the far planets in the solar system. Or to death.... ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ Bert laughed harshly, turned to Carol. "Miles suggested that I ought to see Doctor Lenning. While everybody seems to think congratulations are in order my partner infers I'm ready for a medic check-out. Bert Tanner, ready for the Lenning sanitorium on Venus. Where all space-happy company employees ease their tortured minds. A good place too for an unwelcome partner." ”

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Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ He glanced across the concrete apron to the nearby launching cradle where the Space Queen II pointed its silvery nose to the twilight heavens. A sister to the original Space Queen, it was smaller than the Viking, but a thing of beauty in its own way. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ I can always depend on you. You're one man I can trust to do a job right."
Jeff Morrow grinned. "Thanks, Mr. Tanner. Working for you and Mr. Berendt is more than a job for me. You're two of the swellest guys I ever met."
Tanner was glad the shadows of night hid the grimace on his face. He slapped Morrow friendily on the shoulder. "Speaking of Miles, reminds me. He's having a private little party at his place tonight. To celebrate his engagement to Carol Grant. Said he'd like to have you drop around for a drink. Think you can make it?" ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ He turned toward her, his eyes smouldering. "Carol, you're making a mistake with Miles. He only wants you so he can pin up another triumph over me. He—"
"Get out, Bert. You've said enough."
Tanner looked at Miles Berendt. Miles had his arm around Carol but there was a fire in his eyes.
Tanner laughed. "You can forget about Deimos, Miles. I'm going in the morning. Jeff Morrow is setting the auto-pilot on the Viking as I instructed. I'm afraid you'll have to find another wedding present. One that you can't steal." ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ The roar and pressure. Rocket thrust to escape velocity. A space ship. It began to come clear now. No more music, no more drinks, no more smiling faces of Miles and Carol. Jeff taking him to the door.... Where then? The Space Queen II. Of course. Good old Jeff. Nursemaid Jeff. Bundling him off to Deimos to sign a contract and be best man at a wedding.
Consciousness returned to Bert Tanner and he laughed as he pushed against the restraining straps that held him to the grav bunk.
Wedding? There would be no wedding. The bride and groom would never show up! He laughed loud and long. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Gutenberg

S. M. Tenneshaw, Let Space Be Your Coffin (1954)

“ Tanner, but I was wondering when one of you would get around to marrying Miss Grant! Mr. Berendt sure is a lucky guy!"
Bert's lips were twisted but he knew Jeff couldn't see them clearly. "Miles was the lucky man, Bert. But then, my life is tied up with my work. Marriage is something for the office boys...." ”

S. M. Tenneshaw

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