Through the Asteroids—To Hell!

"Through the Asteroids—To Hell!" by Leroy Yerxa is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century, likely around the 1940s. The book details the life of Blair Freedman, a skilled pilot and member of the Tunnel Patrol, responsible for keeping a crucial passage through a treacherous asteroid belt open amid rising tensions and impending war between two satellites. The story explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the longing for glory in the backdrop of an interstellar conflict. In the narrative, Blair Freedman grapples with his discontent in the monotonous Tunnel Patrol, yearning to join the more glamorous Warrior Patrol and prove himself in battle. However, his decision to leave leads to tragic consequences when he realizes that his friend and colleague, Jerry Graham, has died during an enemy attack on the tunnel. As he returns to the Tunnel Patrol out of guilt and a desire to honor Jerry's memory, he ultimately finds himself in a desperate situation alongside Sheila Graham, Jerry's daughter, as they attempt to thwart the impending attack by the Vestena fleet. Their bold plan requires the use of the Cutter ship to confront the enemy head-on, leading to a climactic and tragic end that underscores the heavy toll of war and the deep ties of love and loss.