The Seeds of Aril

Firefall’s new Science Fiction by Scientists series kicks off with an epic about Earth’s intergalactic exploration, beginning in A.D. 2149 and continuing to the 896th century. Thanks to the development of magnetocryogenic technology, travelers can be frozen for millennia at a stretch. Capt. Warner belongs to the official Galactic Space Explorer’s Union, while cult leader Charles Stormer has shadow plans involving whatever successes the Union may win. When Warner successfully seeds a planet he names Aril, Stormer zeroes in on it, as do a variety of others who want to exploit the new world. Space scientist Robinson’s visionary story is simply told; he packs in technological detail, but doesn’t forget his characters, and they will hold reader interest even if the ground feels well trod. (Jan.)