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The Light of the Earth As Seen From Tartarus
Di Annie Bellet
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Descrizione
Ian and Jack Talley and the Prometheus Space Program set a record for the fastest manned flight to Jupiter. But the journey ended in disaster, crippling Jack and killing the rest of the crew.
Ten years later, an eccentric multi-billionaire offers them all of his money, and a second chance, if they'll fly him to Pluto. The Talley brothers reunite their team, ready to rekindle the dream of manned space flight. But self-doubts and technological issues both old and new appear, leaving the question open: are they making history? Or repeating it? And finding the answers could cost them far more than the Prometheus program.
This is a near future, hard science fiction novella.
Informazioni sull'autore
Annie Bellet is the author of the Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division, The Twenty-Sided Sorceress, and the Gryphonpike Chronicles series. She holds a BA in English and a BA in Medieval Studies and thus can speak a smattering of useful languages such as Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Welsh. Her short fiction work is available in multiple collections and anthologies.
Her interests besides writing include rock climbing, reading, horse-back riding, video games, comic books, table-top RPGs and many other nerdy pursuits. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a very demanding Bengal cat.
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Anteprima del libro
The Light of the Earth As Seen From Tartarus - Annie Bellet
The Light of the Earth
As Seen from Tartarus
A Novelette by Annie Bellet
Copyright 2011
All rights reserved. Published by Doomed Muse Press.
This story is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and incidents described in this publication are used fictitiously, or are entirely fictional.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, except by an authorized retailer, or with written permission of the publisher. Inquiries may be addressed via email to doomedmuse.press@gmail.com.
Cover designed by Greg Jensen with image from Clare Bell/Getty Images and NASA
Electronic edition, 2011
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The Light of the Earth As Seen from Tartarus
Part One:
Ian Talley sank into his office chair, impressed that the contours still seemed to fit his body after a year’s absence. The cleaning crew had done a nice job on the office, though he wished they’d accidentally vacuumed up a few of the news articles still tacked to the wall.
Prometheus Project: A New Hope
and The Talley Brothers: Taking Big Steps for America.
The others were up there, too. The articles written after, listing the names of the dead, asking questions that no one had easy answers for. No one had wanted the truth, just good sound bites.
Ian jerked out of his downward spiraling reverie at the light tap on his half-open office door. He looked up and for the first time came face to face with the man proposing to start it all over again.
William Lancaster was only sixty-four by what Ian had managed to glean about the reclusive multi-billionaire, but he looked eighty. His once tall, athletic frame was bent now, shortened as though something invisible but overwhelming rested in his bones. Mr. Lancaster’s face was hollow; the skin loose and sallow as though he’d lost a lot of weight recently. He had not one bit of hair on his head.
Mr. Talley,
he said, his face cracking into a smile. Even his teeth looked worn and thin, translucent and fragile. But his eyes were fever-bright, a warm hazel shining with life.
Mr. Lancaster,
Ian said, Please, sir, sit down.
He motioned to one of the overstuffed and now out of date leather chairs.
The old man waved off his young assistant, who shrugged with a smile at Ian and went back out into the empty reception area. Ian felt strange putting the big steel and etched glass desk between himself and Mr. Lancaster, but it felt right somehow. Or he just liked having that barrier, he admitted to himself.
After all, it wasn’t every day that he got the chance to tell a multi-billionaire thanks, but no thanks. Even though a part of Ian still hoped that somehow there could be second chances.
I’m sorry, Mr. Talley, I’m not good with small talk and at my age just want to get down to business.
Mr. Lancaster smiled in apology, spreading hands ropy with tendon and bone before resting them in his lap.
I understand,
Ian said, trying not to smile back. I can cut right to the chase, sir, I read the proposal your lawyers sent over. We can’t do it. I’m sorry you had to even come out here. I won’t waste anymore of your time.
He would have told the man over the phone it wasn’t going to happen, but somehow Mr. Lancaster’s enthusiasm and manners had frozen the words in Ian’s throat.
I’m going to change your mind, son.
The old man
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