Lords of the Stratosphere

"Lords of the Stratosphere" by Arthur J. Burks is a science fiction novelette written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the pioneering aviators Lucian Jeter and Tema Eyer, who are determined to explore the stratosphere following a mysterious disappearance of their colleague, Franz Kress, during his ambitious flight. As they embark on their journey into the unknown, they grapple with the implications of their ascent and the potential threats that may await in the uncharted territories above. The opening of the novelette sets the stage with Kress preparing for his historic flight from Roosevelt Field, instilling a sense of competition and dread among his peers. Jeter and Eyer, motivated by both scientific curiosity and personal aspirations, anticipate following Kress into the stratosphere if he fails to return. As they delve deeper into their preparations, a series of strange events unfold across the globe, hinting at a larger mystery linked to Kress’s disappearance. The narrative builds tension as Kress unexpectedly vanishes, leading Jeter and Eyer to set off on their own expedition to uncover the truth behind the bizarre occurrences, including the uncanny columns of light reported worldwide, ultimately setting them on a collision course with unknown forces that threaten not only their lives but potentially the fate of humanity itself.