26

I'm looking for a short scifi story about invaders with futuristic sounding technology - blasters and chargers - invading a new world after having conquered many others and attacking the civilisation they find there.

The twist being these are conquistadores with guns and horses, invading the Americas.

Improve this question
3
  • 2
    So are there any genunie science fiction elements in this story then, or just the illusion of such elements? Also, if there is genuine sci-fi in this story, then when did you read it, and when do you think it might've been published?
    – LogicDictates
    Mar 19, 2021 at 10:33
  • 11
    It sounds like it was written to deceive the reader into thinking it was SF. I think it counts as on-topic for the forum.
    – Pete
    Mar 19, 2021 at 10:40
  • 1
    @LogicDictates yep, just the illusion. Pete is correct.
    – Kitsune
    Mar 19, 2021 at 10:58

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
39

This is Randall Garrett's Despoilers of the Golden Empire (published in the March 1959 Astounding Science Fiction as by "David Gordon"). It's a perfect match to your question and tells the story of Pizarro's conquest of the Incas using language which sounds like an interstellar invasion.

Improve this answer
4
  • From the same author, in the same magazine, a couple years earlier: the answer to this question: a story in which the protagonist does what the author is doing here.
    – hobbs
    Mar 20, 2021 at 5:44
  • 1
    Can you provide another source for the book, preferably an ISBN? The site blocks access for users with an IP Address of my country.
    – Polygnome
    Mar 20, 2021 at 23:52
  • @Polygnome Is this link any better? web.archive.org/web/20210216140533/http://www.gutenberg.org/…
    – trlkly
    Mar 21, 2021 at 0:15
  • I'd argue it gives the game away a bit with making the Power Metal explicitly gold.
    – trlkly
    Mar 21, 2021 at 0:16

Your Answer

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

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