Loophole (short story)
Encyclopedia
Loophole is a science fiction
short story
written by Arthur C. Clarke
and first published in 1946 in the magazine Astounding Science-Fiction
. It was subsequently published as part of a short story collection in Expedition to Earth
in 1953. This story details the concern of the advanced Martian civilization with humanity's research in to rocket
ry and atomic power
. The title of this story refers to resolution of this tension between humanity and the Martians.
between the President of Mars
to the Secretary of the Martian Council of Scientists, regarding the discovery of atomic power (in the form of atomic bombs
) by humans. They are concerned that once humanity's current war
is over (they have been monitoring Earth's broadcasts), humans will use atomic power and rockets to breach interplanetary space
and pose a threat to Mars. A remote monitoring station is set up by Mars on the Moon
to monitor Earth's progress. Finally they send a fleet of 19 battleship
s along with a warning to Earth that one city will be destroyed every time a rocket leaves Earth's atmosphere
. Earth agrees to stop experimenting with rockets when they realize their broadcasts are being intercepted. Ten years pass without any further rocket experimentation, while the Martians begin plans for the extermination
of the human race. The next letter is not from any Martian, but from a human named Lieutenant Commander
Henry Forbes, sent "via Schenectady". The previous letters were recovered from the ruins of the capital Martian city. It seems that rather than experimenting with rockets, humans had perfected matter transmission
and beamed their bombs directly over the Martian cities. Forbes is hopeful that rocket experiments will resume soon, as he finds being "beamed" across space to be uncomfortable.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
written by Arthur C. Clarke
Arthur C. Clarke
Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, FRAS was a British science fiction author, inventor, and futurist, famous for his short stories and novels, among them 2001: A Space Odyssey, and as a host and commentator in the British television series Mysterious World. For many years, Robert A. Heinlein,...
and first published in 1946 in the magazine Astounding Science-Fiction
Analog Science Fiction and Fact
Analog Science Fiction and Fact is an American science fiction magazine. As of 2011, it is the longest running continuously published magazine of that genre...
. It was subsequently published as part of a short story collection in Expedition to Earth
Expedition to Earth
Expedition to Earth is a collection of science fiction short stories by Arthur C. Clarke.There are at least two variants of this book's table of contents - in different editions of the book . Both variants include the stories History Lesson and Encounter in the Dawn...
in 1953. This story details the concern of the advanced Martian civilization with humanity's research in to rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
ry and atomic power
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
. The title of this story refers to resolution of this tension between humanity and the Martians.
Summary
The story begins in the form of correspondenceEpistolary novel
An epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries, newspaper clippings and other documents are sometimes used. Recently, electronic "documents" such as recordings and radio, blogs, and e-mails have also come into use...
between the President of Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
to the Secretary of the Martian Council of Scientists, regarding the discovery of atomic power (in the form of atomic bombs
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
) by humans. They are concerned that once humanity's current war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
is over (they have been monitoring Earth's broadcasts), humans will use atomic power and rockets to breach interplanetary space
Space warfare
Space warfare is combat that takes place in outer space, i.e. outside the atmosphere. Space warfare therefore includes ground-to-space warfare, such as attacking satellites from the Earth, as well as space-to-space warfare, such as satellites attacking satellites.It does not include the use of...
and pose a threat to Mars. A remote monitoring station is set up by Mars on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
to monitor Earth's progress. Finally they send a fleet of 19 battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
s along with a warning to Earth that one city will be destroyed every time a rocket leaves Earth's atmosphere
Earth's atmosphere
The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity. The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing ultraviolet solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention , and reducing temperature extremes between day and night...
. Earth agrees to stop experimenting with rockets when they realize their broadcasts are being intercepted. Ten years pass without any further rocket experimentation, while the Martians begin plans for the extermination
Human extinction
Human extinction is the end of the human species. Various scenarios have been discussed in science, popular culture, and religion . The scope of this article is existential risks. Humans are very widespread on the Earth, and live in communities which are capable of some kind of basic survival in...
of the human race. The next letter is not from any Martian, but from a human named Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Henry Forbes, sent "via Schenectady". The previous letters were recovered from the ruins of the capital Martian city. It seems that rather than experimenting with rockets, humans had perfected matter transmission
Teleportation
Teleportation is the fictional or imagined process by which matter is instantaneously transferred from one place to another.Teleportation may also refer to:*Quantum teleportation, a method of transmitting quantum data...
and beamed their bombs directly over the Martian cities. Forbes is hopeful that rocket experiments will resume soon, as he finds being "beamed" across space to be uncomfortable.
See also
- Quibble (plot device)Quibble (plot device)In literature, a quibble is a common plot device, used to fulfill the exact verbal conditions of an agreement in order to avoid the intended meaning. Its most common uses are in legal bargains and, in fantasy, magically enforced ones....
- The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951 film)