The story begins in Orphan Planet, with the colony starship, Odyssey Earth, heading out on a 17-year voyage across the galaxy to a new home.
Welcome aboard – let’s introduce you to the crew.
- Captain Juno Washington – amiable, unflappable, but definitely in charge. Let’s just say she has a coffee mug that says ‘I’m the Captain, That’s Why.’
- Reeves – a self-aware AI, protector of the mission, archive of all human knowledge. Named after the actor in his favourite film – which he tells people is Point Break, obviously, not The Matrix, that would just freak out the humans.
- Jordan Booth – thought he was making the entire journey in hypersleep, woken up en route and not happy about it. As he said, when they all stopped laughing, “I’m not supposed to do the spaceship stuff. I’m not an astronaut.”
- The ship kids – Dana, Dervla, Manisha, Karlan, Bryson and Poole. Ship-born teenagers with opinions about everything and assertive musical taste. They might just make it if they listen and learn – then again, they’re teenagers, that’s never going to work.
- Gerald – the ship’s botanist, part-time chef, full-time misanthrope. Wears an apron printed with the phrase, ‘Do I Look Like A Sodding People Person?’
- Tillie and Dave – bulky, ex-marine quartermasters, in charge of the ship’s stores. Fond of – hardcore punk, curries, shouting at scientists, Kylie Minogue, and each other.
- Cliff and Terence – the ship’s flamboyant medics, quite the double act, and not at all reassuring if you’re actually ill or anything.
“What’s the date? said Jordan.”
“Tuesday, isn’t it, Reeves? I rather lose track.”
“Not day. Date. Year? When are we?”
“Good question,” said Juno. “Reeves?”
“Shipdate, Gregorian, Julian, Saka, Hijri or Klingon?”
“What?”
“Which calendar do you prefer?”
“What kind of question is that? Wait, there’s a Klingon calendar?”
“We run it just in case. This far out in the universe, you never know.”
Jordan closed his eyes briefly and took a slow breath. “How long have I been asleep?”
Rex Burke 