DEATH STAR
Episode #73 · Written by James McKimmey Jr. · Narrated by Scott Miller
Death Star is a character-driven science fiction story that strips exploration down to its emotional core. It follows a seasoned explorer whose life has been shaped by a single consuming goal, even as the years take their toll. When circumstances spiral beyond control, the story shifts its focus from the dangers of space to the weight of responsibility, regret, and unintended consequences.
Tension builds not through grand spectacle, but through sharp dialogue and moral conflict. Pride clashes with vulnerability. Experience collides with youth. The result is a deeply human story that asks whether a lifetime of sacrifice can justify the damage left behind, and whether redemption is something earned or simply stumbled upon.
Rather than offering easy answers, Death Star lingers in uncertainty. It explores how obsession can narrow perception, how good intentions can still cause harm, and how clarity sometimes arrives only after everything else has been lost.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James McKimmey Jr. was an American science fiction writer active during the mid-twentieth century. His work frequently emphasized emotional stakes over technological detail, focusing on individuals shaped—and sometimes broken—by the demands of exploration and ambition. Death Star reflects his talent for pairing classic science fiction settings with intimate, psychologically grounded storytelling.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to Death Star by James McKimmey Jr. — a powerful classic science fiction short story of obsession and consequence where survival carries a hidden emotional cost.
RELATED STORIES
- Derelict by Alan E. Nourse
- The Fifty-Fourth of July by Alan E. Nourse
- Consignment by Alan E. Nourse
- Wanderlust by Alan E. Nourse
- Journey For the Brave by Alan E. Nourse
- Peacemaker by Alan E. Nourse
ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST
The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.4 million listens.
Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.
What listeners are saying:
★★★★★
“Fantastic Podcast. Can’t wait for each story. Every time I get in the car for the commute I check if I can listen to a new one! Brilliant stories, wonderfully read. Thanks Scott.”
— Why make it worse?
★★★★★
“Great stories. Just great old stories narrated by the best in the business! Very nice.”
— 24champs
Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.
📬 JOIN LOST SCI-FI WEEKLY
35,000+ Listeners Can’t Be Wrong
Get vintage sci-fi stories, podcast episodes, and surprises every Monday.
FREE SCI-FI EVERY WEEK
✅ Check your email and confirm — that unlocks your free sci-fi downloads.
No spam in this galaxy. You can eject anytime.