Spindrift by Allen Steele

Excellent return to the Coyote universeby harstan

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February 03, 2007: While the events take place on Coyote (see COYOTE and COYOTE RISING, but prior to COYOTE FRONTIER), in 2288 earth time scientists detect an alien object apparently aimlessly floating through space. Though the mysterious entity is quite a distance from earth a team was established to investigate the item, code named SPINDRIFT. --- However, upon reaching their destination in a distant star system, the EASS Galileo loses communication with its European home station. On earth, the assumption is everyone on board died. In 2344, the Maria Celeste shuttle craft arrives in Europe with three on board the only survivors of the Galileo. None of the trio has aged though over five decades have passed since the launch and their vessel contains a drive system with a technology far advanced from those on earth. These three inform Director General Shillinglaw they made first contact with a superior force that could be coming for a not so friendly visit. --- Even as the Coyote audience knows the underlying tale, this is brilliant as Allen Steele uses what seems like a sidebar in the Coyote trilogy to write a fabulous stand alone science fiction (still recommend the previous books as great reads). The story line fills the gap between books two and three of Coyote with a vivid description of the failed Galileo mission. Readers will be hooked as three crew members endured while others died by adjusting to the reality that humanity is not the king of the universe, but instead a rat scurrying to survive. --- Harriet Klausner