Voodoo Planet

A science fiction novel written in the late 1950s. The story revolves around Dane Thorson, an acting cargo-master aboard the spaceship ''Solar Queen'', who finds himself embroiled in a dangerous and mysterious adventure on the alien planet Khatka. The plot weaves themes of voodoo magic and the confrontation between rationality and supernatural forces as Dane and his companions grapple with strange creatures and the influence of a powerful witch doctor named Lumbrilo. The opening of ''Voodoo Planet'' introduces Dane on the waterlogged world of Xecho, where he is preparing for a journey to the exotic and perilous planet Khatka with his crew. As he navigates the challenges of damp conditions and repair work aboard the ''Solar Queen'', he learns about Khatka's unique and treacherous environment, filled with powerful magic and a complex social history. Upon meeting Chief Ranger Asaki and Medic Tau, they discuss the unsettling history of Khatka's inhabitants, and hints emerge about the dark magic at play, particularly associated with Lumbrilo, who is manipulating events for his purposes. As the crew gears up for their adventure, they are thrown into a world of danger and the unknown, setting the stage for the challenges that lie ahead.