While the Renegade Swords series primarily focuses on obscure sword-and-sorcery fiction, that’s not the only genre that appears in its pages. A story can qualify for RS as long as there’s ripping, swashbuckling action or evocative, imaginative content not to be found in a story of the real world. “Cube from Space” by Leigh Brackett qualifies on both counts.

“Cube from Space” first appeared in the August, 1942 edition of Super Science Stories. The action takes place on and near Mercury, but there’s no obvious connection to any of the other stories Brackett wrote set on that planet. As can be inferred from the title, it’s a science fiction story, not S&S. But anyone who appreciates tales of hardened, two-fisted men of action facing off against malevolent alien monstrosities will find this story to their liking. Plus, there’s a swordsman named Crom. That counts for something, right?

Renegade Swords IV will be released in early September. For those of you wishing to catch up on the RS series, Renegade Swords II is currently discounted as part of DMR Books’ summer sale, as is Renegade Swords III.