15

I have had a good search and haven't been able to identify a story I read in the 80's or early 90's in a Russian sci-fi anthology. I'm pretty sure it was a translation from English. It is NOT "The Microcosmic God", though there is a similarity.

A policeman investigates an impenetrable dome that has suddenly encased a scientific laboratory. Everyone inside seems to have suffocated. Eventually the story reveals that a scientist (or maybe two scientists) undertook an experiment. They launched a satellite containing a mini solar system into space. Over time, a mini civilisation evolved in this micro world orbiting earth. Being small, they live, think and evolve much faster than humans. The scientist(s) become worried about the tiny world out-evolving earth and humans. The scientist(s) decide to end the experiment and fire off a rocket that should destroy the micro world. While it only takes a few hours for the rocket to reach the micro world, that is days in the time of the microworld. The microcivilization manages to deflect/defend the rocket strike. They respond with a weapon of their own, which targets the source of the rocket and covers the area in an impenetrable dome. Having figured it out, the policeman decides to not tell anyone.

Improve this question
3
  • It’s not the answer, so this is a comment, but the premise is similar to the 1958 short novel Edge of Time by David Grinnell (a pseudonym for Donald A Wollheim).
    – Mike Scott
    Commented May 31, 2019 at 6:30
  • Yes, typo sorry. Should read 80's.
    – Anton
    Commented Jun 1, 2019 at 13:01
  • Yes, Edge of Time is also somewhat similar, but not it. I'm starting to think it may have been an original written in Russian. Will try to find it in the Russian-speaking web.
    – Anton
    Commented Jun 1, 2019 at 14:35

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
15

I managed to find it in the Russian internet. The book is called Alexey Alexeyev's Mistake. It's a Soviet sci-fi novella written in 1961. Original text can be found here. https://knijky.ru/books/oshibka-alekseya-alekseeva

Improve this answer
2
  • 3
    Awesome! Please don't forget to come back tomorrow and accept your answer!
    – DavidW
    Commented Jun 1, 2019 at 15:34
  • I'm not getting an option to accept for some reason.
    – Anton
    Commented Jun 4, 2019 at 2:36

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.