CHAPTER 11 “Complications” Sunday 31 July 2811 The pod climbed up the narrow road with Captain Perry and me. She remained silent as the pod came to a stop at my new home. I opened the door and rather perfunctorily said, “Thank you for the ride, Captain.” “Estrella, my apologies for not being conversational. You’ve … Read more
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CHAPTER 10 “Trillium Project” Sunday 31 July 2811 The mission briefing was held in a large plain meeting room next to the office of Gregor Pfalz, the Project’s Director of Communications. Gregor started the proceeding by introducing the others who would be presenting at the briefing: Project Ethicist Jacques Arnould, Environmental Director Margaret Race, Recycling … Read more
CHAPTER 9 “The Beanstalk” Saturday 30 July 2811 At 10:02 AM, Danika knocked on the door and called out in a sing-song voice, “Good morning. I’m here.” Mom opened the door with, “Hi Danika. ¿We should have asked yesterday, but should we bring along something to eat?” “Hardly. There’s like a café on the Anchor … Read more
CHAPTER 8 “African Home” Friday 29 July 2811 After a week under peace officer protection at a safe house, Mom and I boarded a sub-sonic commercial jet to our new home. I’d been hoping for something more exotic like a scramjet or SST but seats on those cost a lot more and ISTRI pinches its … Read more
CHAPTER 7 “The Decision” Thursday 21 July 2811 I lay there trying to determine whether I was still in one piece as debris settled in the chaotic scene. Through the thick dust I could see customers rushing about, but I heard nothing but a roaring in my ears. Caleb picked me up and we went … Read more
CHAPTER 6 “A Trip to the Zoo” Thursday 21 July 2811 I hiked alone against a strong wind across a rocky, hilly island with monstrous ocean waves thrusting, exploding against jagged rocks and dampening my clothes. I struggled up and down the steep trail and clambered over boulders in the cold wind. Finally, I reached … Read more
CHAPTER 5 “Revelations, Part Two” Wednesday 20 July 2811 We finished the main course in our tiny kitchen as Benny offered theories as to the fate of Dr. Fujimoto, including rumours that she still lives and continues using the long-since-banned Methuselah Regimen. Benny picked up the box with the fortune cookies and handed one to … Read more
CHAPTER 4 “Anecdote: The Family Party” Tuesday 3 October 2299 Hoshiko regarded herself in the corroding mirror and clucked with her tongue. She was aging. It seemed as though every month brought another arthritic ache. Her physio age was about 73. Her chrono age was 313 and would be 314 on the sixth, this coming … Read more
CHAPTER 3 “Anecdote: Birth of ISTRI” Monday 22 August 2011 A message from Abe appeared on Hoshiko’s screen: DARPA offering $ for interstellar travel Hoshiko typed back: interstellar! url? Abe pasted: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/DARPAs-Long-Term-Long-Shot-to-the-Stars-73118.html into the instant message box and hit “Send.” Hoshiko double-clicked on the URL and the web page opened: SPACEDARPA’s Long-Term Long Shot to the … Read more
CHAPTER 2 “Revelations, Part One” Wednesday 20 July 2811 “What? ¿No shit?” “ESTRELLA!” “Yes, Mom,” I actually surprised myself that I let slip an expletive – at home even. “You’re like serious, aren’t you, Dr. Blackwell?” I wasn’t so much asking a question as just blurting out the only thing that my mind could send … Read more