Prolog
PrologPhoenix Starship Andromeda
Phoenix Starship AndromedaPhoenix Starship AndromedaPS Andromeda—a half-kilometer thick circular disk five kilometers across with an elaborate cityscape on one surface and an upside-down pastoral landscape on the other, complete with mountains, meadows, and streams. Transparent domes cover both sides. An artificial mini black hole inside the central disk powers the craft.
PS AndromedaAndromeda is on the second leg of an open-ended voyage from the star Aster, pointed at the constellation Eridanus to investigate the Cosmic Microwave Background Cold Spot, six to ten billion lightyears distant, stopping along the way when things look interesting.
AndromedaFirst stop: The star Ran—Epsilon Eridani.
Second stop: The star Keid—40 Eridani.
