First published 2020
Nicole Wargin stands on the Moon's surface, watching Earth turn brown beneath its poisoned atmosphere. The meteor strike that devastated the planet years ago continues its slow kill, and humanity's survival depends on establishing colonies beyond Earth. Nicole serves as both astronaut and political strategist for the lunar settlement, working to keep the International Aerospace Consortium's evacuation program running smoothly. But riots rage across Earth, and saboteurs target the space program at every turn. The Moon colony faces constant threats from those who want the program to fail. Nicole must use her flight expertise and political instincts to protect the settlement while managing a personal crisis. Her husband, the governor of Kansas, plans to run for president, a move that could complicate her mission and their marriage. Meanwhile, her friend Elma York travels toward Mars, leaving Nicole to shoulder the responsibility for the Moon alone. As Earth grows more unstable, Nicole fights to keep humanity's foothold in space secure. The future of the species rests on her ability to navigate both technical challenges and human treachery.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, 21st-century, alternate-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, high-stakes
Setting: Moon, Earth, Mars
Period: Future
Audio CD · Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio
Content warnings: violence