The Navigators: Book One of the Pathfinders Series, Large Print Edition
David Neal Hawkins
Independently Published
2018
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At the beginning of the third decade of the 22nd Century mankind is moving into the solar system forced by the necessity of providing resources for twenty billion people. Resource acquisition and processing has moved off Earth in order to free up land for food production and for recuperation, relaxation and education areas for spacers after a tour of duty, Human beings could not spend all their lives in micro-gravity environments. Provision had to be made for space workers to spend time in normal gravity conditions for health reasons. Besides, most items could be more economically produced in space, even the fungal "synth" foods. Moving products from space to Earth was much more economical than moving people and material off Earth. And wages for space workers were attractive enough to encourage tens of thousands to apply each year for duty off-Earth. From the frigid polar areas of Mercury to the orbital stations around Earth and Mars, to the vast emptiness of the Asteroid Belt's mining stations, and beyond, people were willing to leave the relative safety of Earth and risk their lives attempting to wrest fortunes from the cold dark rocks of the "Belt" to retire on. And like any "gold rush" environment people supplying the logistical support for the miners were making fortunes too. The Space Authority was now Earth's governing body.The "SA" provided transport and training for those with the education and physical stamina to qualify. Not all those accepted proved able to complete the training for various reasons. Some didn't survive the training at all. It was dangerous work, dangerous training, and accidents did happen. The Authorities' representatives in space were the Navy and the Marines who functioned as a combined Coast Guard and police force. The Space Authority maintained the seat of government at Lunar Base One, located in the starkly harsh Mount D'Alembert range of the Moon. The Navy had chosen the site for its psychological impact. It had scenic vistas that constantly reminded the legislators, administrators and bureaucrats of the government living there that everyone in space depended on others acting responsibly. This is the story of one group of trainees as they learn to work together and face the challenges of working and living off Earth.Starting with Randal Stewart, who wants to train as an engineer. Born and raised in Vermont this will be his first experience with space. Baljit Singh, one of very few Sikhs to take training as a spacer. Siobahn Caruso, a white-hat hacker since she was 14. Hanna Dunstan, headed to the Navy as a career. Umra Mailu, from the central highlands of Kenya, who is seeking adventure with the Marines. And finally, there is Art Simmonds, an avid surfer looking for business opportunities to make a career.
