N. N. Jehangir’s debut novel Sektor 47 presents a science fiction story set in an imagined world shaped by conflict and control. The narrative moves between the past and the present. In the past, young Saida lives in Sektor 47 with her guardian, Uncle Abbas, under the oppressive rule of the Grand Design, a dictator who controls the mining of a powerful mineral called Roshun. His enforcers, the Redcloaks, maintain strict authority, and Saida’s life is marked by danger and loss. A tragic event forces her to flee the planet with the help of an android named Rodok.
In the present timeline, Saida has grown into a determined bounty hunter. Her central goal is to rescue Uncle Abbas from captivity. Together with Rodok, she searches for a medallion that will allow her safe return to Sektor 47. Their journey is filled with obstacles, adversaries, and difficult moral choices.
The novel explores themes of colonialism, injustice, and resistance, while maintaining a fast pace and moments of humour. Saida is portrayed as brave yet emotionally driven, and Rodok adds warmth and balance to the story. Although some characters lack nuance, the novel remains engaging and thought-provoking, marking a strong debut in Pakistani science fiction.
Scifiers explores science fiction narratives that enliven our imagination and compel us to think about the “what-ifs” of creative world-building. It is on a mission to discuss ideas about sci-fi in its various forms that keep the genre in a state of continuous expansion.