One of the best of Arthur's later novels was "The Songs of Distant Earth", published in 1986, although it was based on a 1958 short story. Arthur said it was his favourite of all his novels.
What happened on Thalassa after Magellan departed? Everything belongs to the late, great Sir Arthur Charles Clarke. Part 3.
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Within a week of the attack on Brant and Sam a committee to discuss the scorp threat was formed. Owen Fletcher was made head of the committee, Sam joined the committee, Brant eventually joined as well. Owen co-opted some of his Martian comrades from Magellan onto the committee.
Owen spoke to the committee "ladies and gentlemen, we are here to discuss any potential threat we might have from the Sea Scorpions. I am only an engineer, I am glad that we have some marine biologists on the committee, we should continue to study these scorps. We need to find our more information about these creatures, we should get to know our potential enemy."
Mayor Waldron "Isn't that putting it a bit harsh Owen?"
Sam said "I agree with Owen, I am the one in a wheelchair with a leg full of titanium. These scorps are a potential threat to us."
Owen said "Thank you Sam. We know that the scorps do not like electricity, so I think some kind of electric fence on the shore by the main settlements should be tried. We may eventually have to circle all three islands with some kind of electrical barrier. However, we should have some carrot to go with our stick. I suggest that we head out to sea to a point the other side of Scorpville and dump some metal scrap, this might encourage them to head away from the islands, if only for a while whilst we build up our defences.
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Two months later two dead scorps were found by the electric fence guarding the entrance to Tarna harbour. The fence was working and gradually more electric fences were installed around the principal settlements of the three islands. The Fletcher committee were starting to think that the scorp threat was starting to decrease. Then two divers were killed on the sea bed by scorps!
Next day there was an emergency meeting of the Fletcher committee, for the first time in a couple of weeks everyone attended. Owen Fletcher started the meeting.
"Thank you to everyone for coming, especially you Brant, congratulations on the birth of your son"
"Thanks Owen, we are calling him Sam."
"What happened yesterday, Sam, you are our seabed expert."
"Just like when Brant and I were attacked, only this time there were three of them. The surviving diver was able to attack the scorps with his electric cattle prod but the other two didn't have a chance. The scorps then took all the metal equipment with them when they made their escape."
