Space Bat

"Space Bat" by Carl Selwyn is a science fiction novella published in the early 1940s, specifically in the winter issue of "Planet Stories" in 1946. The narrative follows Lou Flint, a rugged trapper on a wild planetoid, who is faced with the threat of hunters aiming to decimate the local wildlife, particularly the feather-deer, for profit. Flint's mission transforms as he seeks to capture a mythical creature known as the space bat, worth a million dollars, leading him into a whirlwind of adventures intertwined with themes of conservation, morality, and unexpected companionship. In the story, Lou Flint struggles against merciless fur hunters who threaten the feather-deer's existence in the Ring planets near Saturn. After learning from the Governor that he has no legal claim to his lands and that a fur corporation is about to buy them, Flint devises a desperate plan to capture the elusive space bat to secure the funds necessary to save the wildlife. Along the way, he meets Karen Vaun, a determined woman sent by the fur company, but their interactions shift from antagonism to collaboration when they face the genuine danger of the monstrous bat. Adventures unfold with thrilling confrontations, culminating in a dramatic showdown that not only endangers their lives but also challenges Flint's initial intentions, leading to a resolution focused on coexistence and protection of the environment.