Chicken Farm by Ross Rocklynne Episode #124
Ross Rocklynne | October 18, 2023-
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Chicken Farm by Ross Rocklynne Episode #124
Ross Rocklynne
CHICKEN FARM
Episode #124 · Written by Ross Rocklynne · Narrated by Scott Miller
Harvey is a space prospector who prides himself on clarity and decisiveness. He has no patience for small talk, ambiguity, or wasted time. When he meets Anna on Mars, he calmly informs her of his intentions, arranges the future in his mind, and departs just as efficiently as he arrived.
While Anna waits on Mars, Harvey is already executing a far larger plan. He discovers a neglected planet, claims legal ownership, and begins transforming it using advanced engineering and biological insight. Every choice is deliberate. Every step follows his logic. What begins as preparation quietly becomes something far more ambitious.
Chicken Farm is a story about confidence, science, and consequences. Ross Rocklynne uses understated humor and careful pacing to show how reasonable decisions can lead to extraordinary results. The tension grows not from conflict, but from inevitability.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ross Rocklynne was an American science fiction author best known for intelligent, idea-driven stories during the Golden Age of science fiction. His work often focused on scientific plausibility paired with sharply observed human behavior.
Rather than relying on spectacle, Rocklynne preferred quiet escalation. His stories invite readers to follow logical steps to their natural conclusions. Chicken Farm stands as a perfect example of his ability to blend wit, foresight, and imaginative science into a story that lingers long after the final line.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to Chicken Farm by Ross Rocklynne — a vintage science fiction short story of paranoia and inevitable consequence.
ROSS ROCKLYNNE SHORT STORIES
Ross Rocklynne was one of the most imaginative voices of the pulp era, producing nearly one hundred short stories across four decades, from 1935 through 1975. His work often pushes beyond straightforward space adventure, diving into bold, unconventional ideas that challenge both his characters and the reader. Instead of relying on familiar formulas, Rocklynne built stories around strange premises that unfold in unexpected directions.
His fiction frequently places ordinary individuals in situations that quickly become anything but ordinary. A routine environment begins to behave in impossible ways. A simple signal carries implications far beyond its origin. A controlled system reveals hidden layers that no one anticipated. As the stakes rise, characters are forced to think quickly, adapt, and confront forces that refuse to follow known rules.
Rocklynne had a talent for combining tension with curiosity. His stories build momentum through discovery, where each new piece of information changes what the situation means. The result is science fiction that feels dynamic and unpredictable, with ideas that expand as the story unfolds rather than narrowing into a single expected outcome.
The stories below highlight Ross Rocklynne’s inventive approach to vintage science fiction—where strange concepts, rising tension, and unexpected turns drive every moment forward.
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 3.8 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.
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Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.
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