Operation StarBridge

There are two possibilities. Maybe we are alone in the universe, maybe we're not. Both are equally frightening.--Isaac AsimovThis STEM narrative tells the epic story of the StarBridge mission. It is the year 2083 CE. The International Space Administration is preparing to send forty-six courageous astronauts on a thirty-six-month voyage beyond our solar system for the first time. It will be the most challenging journey of exploration in the history of humankind as they embark on a trip to Alpha Centauri, our closest stellar neighbor more than forty trillion kilometers away. After a brief stopover on Mars. the StarBridge sets out on its fourteen-month mission unaware of a Martian stowaway on board. When discovered, Raskel Preston and his magical little sidekick, Bingle, quickly win over the hearts and support of the crew, including the ship's captain, Mickeleen Keys; her husband, Blaine; and their twin children, Hubble and Cassini. Join in as we meet the reclusive, mysterious Professor Whyly, the legendary leader of the Mars colony; Dr. Rogers, the kindly director of the hydroponics department; Dr. Lipke; and the extremely efficient yet grumpy FlapJack, the AI head of culinary services. In addition, an action-packed game of gravity-free spaceball and a few visits to far-off places in a state-of-the-art virtual reality room will engage and captivate the reader. As the StarBridge nears their target exoplanet, the ship is nearly destroyed by a saboteur. Upon arrival, they discover an alien life form unlike any on planet Earth. As they attempt to communicate with this extraterrestrial, prepare yourself for an "I never saw that coming!" moment. As the story concludes, they head for home, enriched with tons of materials while leaving one crew member behind.

-- Paul J. Taylor