Publisher's Synopsis
Towards the end of the twenty-second century technology and physics have advanced to a level where the human race (under the world government of the United Nations) can safely consider sending a long-term exploration team to Tau Ceti's fifth planet, which unmanned exploratory craft have checked out on a fly-past mission. More than six times the size of Earth, with gravity 8% higher, the planet has a nitrogen-based atmosphere, is very similar to the planet Mars in its overall appearance, and by using Lightspeed-based electron propulsion it will take almost 14 years to cover the 11.88 light years in distance. Sending messages to Earth and receiving a reply will take almost 24 years, so the Space Colonists will have to make every decision- and then live (or not!) with it.The fleet of six Starships (four with 20 humans in each, and two packed with supplies) will be under the leadership of Simone and Michael Quatermain, both conceived and born illegally on an earlier Interstellar exploration to Barnards Star. SImone's stratospheric IQ is the key to the expedition's success or failure. Unlike any of the other crew-members, all of whom are outstanding experts in their respective fields, Simone and Michael are taking their two offspring with them. Joe, aged 20. is very much the thoughtful apprentice. His older sister, Lena, is considered to have a similar IQ to her mother, but has major personality flaws because of her recent past.Very little goes as planned. As soon as they arrive decisions have to be made that greatly exceed all expectations, and events grow progressively worse, both physically and mentally. Under mounting pressure, and with a Relief Fleet 7-8 years away, Simone's leadership qualities are questioned time and again. But the greatest possible malfunctions (and triumphs) are triggered by Lena's maverick behavior, which not only tests her parents' relationship to its limits, but affects the thoughts and behavior of many of the crew, and even the massive Neural computers which run everything. And it will be Lena who ultimately stuns everyone with easily the biggest punch-lines in the expedition's checkered history!
