
Part 1
A fierce chase through the outer reaches of a distant star system erupts into chaos as the Alarian cruiser, crippled by enemy fire, leaks its precious water into the void. Commander Ekrado and his telepathic deputy Ronaro must grapple with failing engines, shattered weaponry, and a shattered communications array while the relentless Ru'ukonian cruiser bears down on them. Their only hope lies in a hastily prepared lifeboat, a fragile craft that could carry them toward any habitable world in the system.
The crew’s urgent decisions unfold against a backdrop of flashing plasma beams and the cold glare of a nearby sun. As they plot a desperate arc toward a cluster of small planets, they wrestle with a single, vital question: can they reach a civilized race in time to deliver the message that could save their people? The opening thrusts listeners into a high‑stakes race for survival, where every split‑second choice might determine the fate of an entire civilization.
Language
en
Duration
~23 minutes (22K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
Mar 3, 2021
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

A 19th-century American naval officer and scientist, he wrote from firsthand experience in navigation, astronomy, and public service. His work carries the practical, curious spirit of someone equally at home at sea and in scientific study.
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