The Oort Federation: To the Stars

Praise For The Oort Federation The mathematical metaphors in Robert G. Williscroft’s Icicle reminded me of classic Heinlein. In this sequel, The Oort Federation, Williscroft throws a surprising twist at us. Braxton Thorpe’s team builds on technology captured from the aliens, suggestive of the “super-science” of E. E. “Doc” Smith’s classic space operas. Icicle scaled up from the lab to beyond the Solar System. In The Oort Federation, Williscroft continues to build momentum, from terraforming Mars to expanding out to the stars, attempting to resolve a multi-sided conflict between the Oort, two alien planets, and Thorpe’s own human rivals. With hints that go beyond even this, I can hardly wait for the next episode in this epic. – Alastair Mayer Author of The T-Space Series The Oort Federation: To the Stars is one of the most speculative, concept-rich, science-fiction novels I have ever read. You know it’s speculative when it comes with its own dense Glossary of terms relating to Portal Technology, MERT Drives, Lagrange points and the like. The further you read, the deeper you are taken into how the Universe actually works and what mankind’s destiny in it will ultimately be. One thing I especially like is the extent to which the author explores humanity’s potential with concepts like clones, digital copies or electronic “Updates,” and the possibility of remaining young and even living forever without the need to have children. Our universe is indeed vast, and this sequel to Icicle: A Tensor Matrix, offers something for everyone: an ongoing space war between a ruthless Russian oligarch and members of the Federation; not one but two fully realized alien worlds and cultures; even cats and digital cats that hop from one section of the galaxy to another as easily as you and I step into another room. I was absolutely swept away by what humanity was evolving toward. Are there any limits to our possibilities and aspirations? After this galaxy and universe, what about the next one? At one point in the novel, John Butler, Chairman of the Oort Federation, tries to anchor eThorpe’s loyalties to the Solar System and Man-As-We-Know-Him. But eThorpe is an electronic download, a member of a new breed, and he makes it plain that “Federation jurisdiction stops at the edge of the Oort Cloud.” He and no one else will lead “an expedition into the unknown” and be responsible for its success. Exhilarating, challenging, and mind-blowing. I can only hope that the author continues this series, perhaps in a new universe. – Professor John B. Rosenman, Norfolk State University Former Chairman of the Board, Horror Writers Association Author of The Inspector of the Cross Series