Worlds Apart by 2000 Plus - Relic Radio Sci-Fi (old time radio)

Worlds Apart by 2000 Plus

Mon Feb 17 2025

This week on Relic Radio Science Fiction, 2000 Plus presents its story from November 15, 1950, Worlds Apart. Listen to more from 2000 Plus https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/SciFi868.mp3 Download SciFi868 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Science Fiction Your support makes this show possible. If you’d like to help, visit donate.relicradio.com for more information. Thank you.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Worlds Apart" by 2000 Plus

Relic Radio Sci-Fi presents "Worlds Apart," an enthralling episode from the series 2000 Plus Adventures in the World of Tomorrow. Released on February 17, 2025, this episode masterfully weaves a tale of interplanetary adventure, suspense, and the discovery of an uncanny parallel to Earth. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essential elements, key discussions, and pivotal moments of the story.

1. Introduction

The episode opens with an urgent transmission from Central Operational Headquarters, setting the stage for a high-stakes space adventure. Commander Dystra alerts all defense units about an unidentified spacecraft detected near Mars, which is expected to arrive in space sector G within 24 hours. This introduction establishes the imminent threat and the need for immediate action.

2. The Mission of Spaceship Phoenix

Captain Roberts and his crew embark on Flight 17 aboard the spaceship Phoenix, bound for Neptune. The dialogue introduces Johnson, responsible for manufacturing the spaceship's critical components, and Jim Granger, the rocket engineer eager to join the mission despite his father's reservations.

Captain Roberts: "That's everything you claimed it to be. Light, pliable, fireproof. A splendid product." ([00:40])

Jim's determination to prove himself is evident when he insists on being assigned to the dangerous mission, highlighting themes of ambition and the human desire to explore the unknown.

3. Journey Through Space

As Phoenix commences its journey, the crew executes routine operations, monitoring their position and rocket discharge rates. Astrogator Lawson reports their precise location, ensuring the mission remains on course.

Astrogator Lawson: "We are cruising now at a speed of 12 galactic miles per second." ([04:15])

However, tension arises when Sandy, another crew member, notices a deviation from their planned trajectory. Despite assurances of stability, unexpected gravitational anomalies threaten their path.

4. Encounter with the Unknown

The crew faces unforeseen challenges when they encounter a massive, uncharted comet, endangering their vessel. In a desperate bid to regain control, they attempt to activate the auxiliary rockets, but only partial success is achieved.

Sandy: "We're caught in the toe of some tremendous mass." ([10:45])

An emergency transmission from Ranger Control alerts them of their missing status, heightening the suspense as the crew struggles to maintain communication and control.

5. Struggle for Survival

After sustaining damage from meteorite impacts, the Phoenix loses vital systems, leaving the crew stranded in the vastness of space. Their attempts to contact Earth are futile until a faint signal pierces the darkness.

Captain Roberts: "Spaceship Phoenix, Flight 17 for Neptune in distress." ([16:30])

The arrival of Commander Dystra and his personnel marks a turning point. The crew is apprehended and brought to Green Valley, a seemingly utopian spaceport with an eerie resemblance to Earth.

6. The Revelation of Green Valley

As Captain Roberts and his crew navigate their captivity, they uncover unsettling truths about their surroundings. Through subtle clues and growing suspicions, they deduce that Green Valley is not Earth but a parallel planet named Vesta.

Captain Roberts: "We must get to Dystra at once." ([21:37])

The discovery that Vesta mirrors Earth in appearance and culture raises profound questions about planetary development and the nature of their predicament.

7. Climax: Unmasking the Hoax

Determined to return home, Jim and Roberts orchestrate a daring escape using the visiphone. Their plan briefly succeeds, allowing them to leave Green Valley. However, the true nature of their location is solidified when they observe astronomical inconsistencies, such as a second moon, revealing that they are indeed on an alien planet.

Captain Roberts: "It's not up to me." ([15:10])
Commander Dystra: "We are 90 million miles distant from the sun." ([27:08])

8. Resolution: Acknowledging Shared Development

In a tense confrontation, Commander Dystra explains that Vesta developed in parallel to Earth, leading to striking similarities despite the vast distance separating them. This revelation underscores themes of universal parallelism and the potential for similar evolutionary paths under comparable conditions.

Commander Dystra: "We live in peace and harmony. Our only concern is interplanetary threats." ([27:24])

Captain Roberts' realization that their mission has inadvertently bridged two worlds sets the stage for future interactions and the ongoing saga of exploration and understanding.

9. Conclusion

"Worlds Apart" culminates in the acknowledgment of a shared destiny between Earth and Vesta. As Captain Roberts contemplates the profound similarities and the enigmatic nature of Green Valley, listeners are left pondering the possibilities of parallel civilizations and the enduring spirit of exploration.

Notable Quotes

Captain Roberts on Courage:

"Dead Golding's down with a bad case of acceleration, Benz. They'll need a new rocket engineer. ... Ready. Ready. This is an uncharted trip, Jim." ([03:20])
Commander Dystra on Vesta's Development:

"We are 90 million miles distant from the sun." ([27:08])
Captain Roberts on Human Determination:

"We must get to Dystra at once." ([21:37])
Commander Dystra on Peace:

"We live in peace and harmony. Our only concern is interplanetary threats." ([27:24])

Key Themes and Insights

Parallel Evolution: The episode explores the concept of parallel planetary development, suggesting that similar environmental conditions can lead to identical societal and cultural advancements.
Human Ambition vs. Unforeseen Consequences: Captain Roberts and Jim Granger's ambition to explore new frontiers leads them into unforeseen and perilous circumstances, highlighting the risks inherent in pioneering endeavors.
Trust and Deception: The initial apprehension by Commander Dystra adds layers of distrust and deception, questioning the motives behind seemingly benevolent actions.
Survival and Ingenuity: The crew's struggle to survive and their ingenuity in attempting escapes and communication underscore the resilience and resourcefulness of humans in crisis.

Final Thoughts

"Worlds Apart" is a compelling narrative that blends suspense, science fiction, and philosophical inquiry into the nature of civilization and exploration. Relic Radio Sci-Fi effectively transports listeners into a richly constructed universe where the boundaries between reality and parallel existence blur, leaving audiences both entertained and contemplative.

For more engaging old-time radio science fiction stories, visit RelicRadio.com.

Transcript

Commander Dystra (0:01)

Relic Radio.

Captain Roberts (0:07)

This is Relic Radio. Sci Fi Old time Radio. Science fiction stories from relicradio.com Foreign West coast audience at this more convenient listening time. Central operational headquarters, Commander Dystra speaking. This morning at 400 hours, our electronic scanners picked up on oscillator frequency an unidentified spacecraft in sector K, beyond the gravitational field of the planet Mars. Our calculations indicate that this craft will arrive in space sector G within the next 24 hours. Emergency directions to all defense units. Coordinate high voltage destroyers to cover area G. All units on alert for assault action to learn what happened when a strange craft from outer space came into sector G. Listen in a moment to 2000 +. 2000+ Adventures in the World of tomorrow. Dramatic stories of science fiction from the years beyond. 2000 adults today. The strange adventure of men who dared the unknown through interplanetary space. Worlds apart. And one thing more, Johnson. Your new alimoid space shoot. It has been tested and it's everything you claimed it to be. Light, pliable, fireproof. A splendid product. We'll want 50 of them in time for the next space flight three weeks from now. Can you make it? Excellent. Good luck, Johnson. Yes? Your son is here, Mr. Granger. He wants to see you. Jim. Here? Well, tell him I can. All right, send him in. Yes, sir. And Ms. Ames, tell Roberts he can start punching tape for the mechanical pilot on Flight 17. Yes, Mr. Granger. Hello, dad. How are you, Jim? Dad, I've come to ask a favor of you. A big favor. Well, talk fast, son. I'm very busy. What is it you want? I want to be assigned to Flight 17. Flight 17 to Neptune? Are you crazy? No, dad. I've been thinking about this for months. Well, you can stop thinking about it right now. There's no opening for you, son. I. I happen to know there is. Dead Golding's down with a bad case of acceleration, Benz. They'll need a new rocket engineer. But you're too young to grieve. I've done 42 experimentals and three moonhounds. I'm ready. Ready. This is an uncharted trip, Jim. A trailblazer. You know what happened to the first flight to the moon, don't you? Ah, yes, sir. Crashed on the lip of a giant crater. Yes, and the first ship that tried to reach Mars went haywire and shot off into deep space. And still you want to make this first flight to Neptune? Yes. You have courage, son. I'll say that. But you're not going. Why not, Jim? It's not up to me. Captain Roberts chooses his own Rocket engineer. You know, all I do is okay the man he selects. Then I guess I'll be making the flight test. You see, I persuaded Captain Roberts to select me. Captain Roberts on spaceship Phoenix on flight to Neptune. Calling Marshall Granger, Control Station 2. Roberts calling Granger. Are we still in contact? Roberts calling Granger. You read? Granger controlled Station two. We read you, Roberts. We're still in contact. Go ahead, Robert. Ready to report, Sam. Proceed. At the end of 120 hours of flight conditions are entirely normal. Crew and passengers have passed safely through five accelerations. We are cruising now at a speed of 12 galactic miles per second. Excellent, Roberts. Continue astrogation reading. Take it, Sandy. Astrogator Lawson reporting our position in space time units 17 hours, 4 minutes to the Mars Jupiter axis sector. Galaxy 23 degrees off the plane of the ecliptic. Exactly on course, Lawson. Well done, Rocket control. Take it, Jim. Rocket engineer Granger reporting average rocket discharge rate 12.7. Level 19% available. Supply 300 hours with B2 safety factors. Good work, son. Congratulations, all of you. Keep it up. Thank you, sir. Signing off. Hi. Everything okay back in the lodge, Jim? Oh, quiet a few minutes ago and I passed through. How about that chess game? Those two physicists still at it? They're in no hurry. 50,000 miles to a move. Real thriller. And the music lovers wearing a groove in Beethoven's Fifth. You know, I don't see how anybody. Yes. Watch your controls, pal. We've been swinging off course. Of course. Oh, you're nuts, lad. I haven't taken my eye off the chart for a second. We've been right on the line. I'm telling you, we're off course, Dick. Six points. Better bring her back. You sure, Sandy? Am I sure? Oh, sorry, Sandy. Stupid question. Standby for directional correction. Standing by. Lateral deviation 6.2. Speed 12. Magnetic index gamma 5, port side. Auxiliary rockets. 5, 7, 13, 15. Ready to discharge. Discharge? Well, that's that. I still don't understand. Wait a minute, Dick. Something wrong? Huh? Wrong? What do you mean? We're off again. What are you talking about? We swung into line for a second, then we pull right out again. Oh, but that's impossible, Sandy. There isn't any wind drift or current out here. In space, anything in motion moves in a straight line until it comes within the magnetic field of some body. That's what I'm afraid of, Dick. I think we're caught in the toe of some tremendous mass. What mass, Sandy? The sun, Mars, Jupiter. Everything's where it belongs, isn't it? There aren't Any unknown bodies floating about? Maybe there are. Maybe the like. What, Sandy? A comet. A comet? Yeah, a comet. That's what it must be. A wild, uncharted comet from outer space. Look, Dick, the atmosphere gauge, it's way up. We're not flying through a vacuum. There's something else out there now. Some sort of atmosphere. Gas. Hot gases forming the tail of the comet. You're right, Sandy. Listen. Hot gases and other things too. Sounds like pellets of some kind. Stones. A fragment. Meteorite. All trailing behind the comet, but caustic. Caught right in the middle of it. The ship is just beginning to venture, Drake. Clean out of the solar system. Perhaps out of the galaxy. Maybe not, Sandy. There's one chance. Maybe we can blast ourselves free. Alert. Alert. All personnel to emergency acceleration couches. Prepare to discharge all port side rockets. Good. Do you know what you're doing? 127 rockets going off at one point. You'll blow us a bit. I don't only care, Jim. Here goes. Five seconds. Discharge. Ranger Control tower calling spaceship Phoenix. Ranger calling Phoenix. Come in, Phoenix. Ranger to Space Patrol. Special alert. Spaceship Phoenix bound for Neptune, missing 12 hours. May be lost or out of control. All units stand by to intercept signals if any. Frequency 40,000. Relay any information to Marshall Granger, Control Tower 2. That is all. Where are you, son? Where are you? Well, what happened? Oh, my. I gotta get up. I'm gonna see Sandy. Sandy, get up. Come on, man. I'll give. Oh, Sandy. Do it. Dick. You're all right. Thank God. Yes, Jim, I'm all right. But, Sandy. I know. Head cracked against the control panel. Three passengers are dead, but we're out of it, Dick. Something threw us clear of the comet. Some centrifugal force. Help me up, Jim. Quick. Give me the control panel. Take it easy, Dick. All right, here we go. Oh, Jim. Jim. How's Popride? Half the rocket engines are out and the boosters seem to be okay. Good. We got enough to operate on. Maybe. What do you mean? The nuclear overdrive is shot. Shot? Smacked by a meteorite. Jim, we got to find out where we are. We can't afford to waste a unit of power. You know anything about astrogation? Not a thing beyond the moon. I'm lost. Oh, that's great. A crippled ship lost somewhere in space. And a dead astrogator to show us the way. I'll have to make a wild stab at our position. What's your guess, Dick? Well, how can I guess? We may be near Neptune. Or way out near some far off galaxy. Let's Take a crack at that radio relay. Maybe we. I've been trying all along. Can't raise a thing. I'll keep trying. It's our only chance. Okay. I'll take a look through the port, see if I can make out anything. Spaceship Phoenix calling Earth stations. Mars, Jupiter, Earth. Spaceship Phoenix, are we coming through? Can't recognize a star, a planet, an astral body. Jim. Spaceship Phoenix, can you hear it? Can you hear it? How long is it since we blacked out? Can't say, Dick. All our instruments went haywire. Spaceship Phoenix, Flight 17 for Neptune in distress. Are we coming through? Answer us. We may have Dick. Listen. Spaceship Phoenix, you're coming through. We hear you. We've got them. They heard it. No. No, it can't. Great. Give me that mic. Hello? Hello, this is space flight 17. We're off our course and badly damaged. Opposition unknown. We have located your position. Spaceship Phoenix, stand by, please. Jim, that's Earth. We'll blow and suck the world right back toward Earth. Hello, Phoenix. Are we still coming through? Like music, sir. Very well. We're going to bring you in on a beam if you're within range. Does the signal reach you? Please acknowledge. Got you, got you. Perfectly good. Set your to gravitators and disengage all engines. We're in free flight, sir. Instruct all personnel to get into acceleration compensators. You will land at our SPACeport in approximately four hours. 100ft. Prepare for landing. Ranger to engine room. Landing jets four and a half discharge. Release airlock. Switch on landing lights. Tempe for Badland. Contact. Cut motors. Ah, we've landed. Jim, we made it. Don't I know it. Come on, pal, out you go. Oh, take your time. We're in no rush now. You may not be, but I am in a rush to get down at this good old terra firma. Oh, boy, does this air smell good. What a spaceport. Jim, I didn't know we had anything anywhere that looked like this. I don't care what it looks like. All I know is that. Come. Someone alone. Hello there. I'm Captain Roberts of the Phoenix. Are we glad to see you. And for you. Hey, what's the idea? Well, you don't understand. I said I'm. Don't move. Captain Roberts, you and your crew and your passengers are all under arrest. Elton, Smith, take over the ship and seal all the exits. No one is to leave. Captain Roberts, you and your companion come this way, please. By what authority are we being held prisoners? I want to know. I have the right to demand to know. Captain Roberts, you are hardly in a position to demand anything. Well, what is my position, sir? The title is Commander, Commander Dijkster. Commander. Commander, you know that you will be held responsible for any harm to my passengers or ship. There's no cause for alarm, Captain, or threat. Simply holding you here at Green Valley for a short while till we check your credentials. You've inspected our ship. You know we carry no contraband. Since when does an American have to have his credentials checked in his own country? I've already explained to you that this entire area, all 500 square miles of it, is government property devoted exclusively to secret research projects. Now, is it perfectly obvious why we can't allow you and your passengers to walk about freely? Maybe, but it isn't obvious why we're not allowed to use the Visiphone. Why we can't call our base, report our safe landing? Perhaps not, Captain Roberts, but then government regulations often are obscure. Commander Dystra, we were met with guns and suspicion. Now you say that was because secret research is going on. Yet when you contacted us above the Earth's atmosphere, you offered to bring us in here. Why did you make that offer if you didn't want us here? Would you rather be back in space floundering about in your crippled craft? That can be arranged. You haven't answered my question. We brought you in for two reasons. First, to save your lives if you turned out to be harmless. Second, because it is our policy to apprehend all craft entering our space sector. We have enemies. The high handed method you use, I can see why. Not high handed. Captain Roberts, during your detainment here, you and your company will be accorded full courtesy. We appreciate your courtesy, but we demand the right to contact Chicago here, now. And on that visitor. I'm sorry, that is impossible. Possible donor. Yes, Commander Daer, arrange for suitable accommodations for Captain Rabit and his crew. The interview is closed. Commander Dicer, I. That is all, Captain. Send out a special bulletin to the Science Institute. To all chiefs of the following department. Astrogation, navigation, anthropology, astronomy. Is there anywhere in this solar system or in adjoining constellations a body known as Planet Earth or America? Is there any community area or experimental station known as Chicago? I won't do it, Dick. I won't take this lying down. No? What are you going to do about it? Think of something. I'm certainly not going to sit around twiddling my thumbs while the great Dystra checks our credentials. I don't like the looks of this place any better than you do. Sacred project. He Says for all we know, it may be the headquarters of some gangster out there. A lot of things about this Green Valley setup that bother me. Nothing definite, I. I just get a feeling that everything's a little lopsided, as if I were looking at it through a Coney island mirror. Oh, easy now, Jim. He'll be going bats of you. Take it. I've got it. Got what? That visiphone. If we can get into Dystra's office, some way we can phone home. Oh, no, no. You're way off, Jim. There isn't a chance in a million. Why not? This room's not locked. They finished work for the day. We saw everybody leave. All right, all right, we'll try it. But Jim, watch your step, will you? I feel sort of responsible for you. Here's the office. So far, so good. On the door. Open. Inside. Fast. That's very dark in here. Now, where was that grizzophone? Ah, it's right here. Put the call in, but don't light the scanning cone. I'll use this pocket flash. You listen for anyone approaching. Here goes your call, please. Get me Marshall Granger in Chicago. Chicago? Where is that? Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. come on. Operator. U. S, A. What place is that near? Didn't you hear me? I said USA I will check it, sir, if you come in. Jim, drop it. Quick. We better get out. There's two ladies in the car to stand back here in the corner. Hello? Hello. Someone is here. Please come forward. I know you are here. I can hear your heartbeats. There are two of you there in the back. Please come forward. This is very childish. Now that is better. We can put on the light. Good evening, Commander Dye, Captain Roberts. Congratulations, sir. A very impressive trick, hearing a heartbeat across a 40 foot room. Trick? Not at all, sir. It seems strange to you. Your hearing must be impaired. You know why we're here. I suppose it's obvious. You were trying to use the visiphone against orders. You gentlemen have abused your privileges as guests. From now on, you will be held prisoners under lock and key.