Book Description
In shock and grief the last remnants of the human race watched from space as the holocaust of war raged across the face of the Earth. Now the future rested in the hands of three fragile space colonies: Aguinaldo—The Philippine L-5 colony whose brilliant biochemist had engineered a limitless supply of food. Kibalchich—The Soviet space exploration platform that harbored a deadly secret. Orbitech 1—The American space factory whose superstrong weavewire could be a lifeline to link the colonies—or a cutting-edge weapon of destruction.
As allies, they could unite to rebuild a better world. As enemies, they could destroy mankind’s last hope for survival. Lifeline by Kevin J. Anderson and Doug Beason.
Kevin J. Anderson & Doug Beason
Digital Edition – 2014
WordFire Press
wordfirepress.com
ISBN: 978-1-61475-257-8
Copyright © 1990 Wordfire, Inc. & Doug Beason
Originally published by Bantam Spectra, 1990
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the copyright holder, except where permitted by law. This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously.
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Cover Art by Bob Eggleton
Cover Design by Janet McDonald
Art Director Kevin J. Anderson
Book Design by RuneWright, LLC
www.RuneWright.com
Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta, Publishers
Published by
WordFire Press, an imprint of
WordFire, Inc.
PO Box 1840
Monument, CO 80132
Contents
Book Description
Title Page
Dedication
Dramatis Personae
Prologue
Part One: Isolation
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Part Two: Incentive
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Part Three: Interaction
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Epilogue
Afterword: Lifeline Origins
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Other WordFire Titles
Dedication
To my mother, Martha Grace McCluney Beason, for leading me to books. (Doug Beason)
and
To Dean Wesley Smith, for being more than just the right place at the right time. (Kevin J. Anderson)
Dramatis Personae
AGUINALDO (L-4)
Ramis Barrera—colonist
Agpalo Barrera—Ramis’s father
Panay Barrera—Ramis’s mother
Salita Barrera—Ramis’s brother on Earth
Dr. Luis Sandovaal—Aguinaldo’s chief scientist
Dobo Daeng—Luis’s assistant
Barreta Daeng—Dobo’s wife
Yoli Magsaysay—president of the Aguinaldo
Nada Magsaysay—Yoli’s wife
Dr. Panogy—celestial mechanics expert
CLAVIUS BASE (MOON)
Dr. Kim Berenger—infirmary M.D.
Dr. Clifford E. Clancy—Orbitech 2 chief engineer
Wiay Shen—Clancy’s chief foreman L
Dr. Philip Tomkins—Clavius Base chief administrator
Josef Abdallah—technician and work scheduler
Dr. Billy Rockland—group leader, celestial mechanics
Harmon Wooster—Orbitech 2 engineer
ORBITECH 1 (L-5)
Linda Arnando—Personnel/Admin Division leader, later chief assessor for Curtis Brahms
Dr. Daniel Aiken—research scientist, biochemist
Sheila Aiken—Daniel’s wife
Stephanie Garland—Miranda shuttle pilot
Allen Terachyk—Research & Development Division leader, later chief assessor for Curtis Brahms
Duncan McLaris—Production Division leader, later acting administrator for Clavius Base
Jessie McLaris—Duncan’s daughter
Diane McLaris—Duncan’s wife
Dr. Karen Langelier—research chemist, polymers
Tim Drury—Maintenance/Services Division leader
Curtis Brahms—acting director, Orbitech 1
Sigat Harhoosma—metallurgist
Hiro Kaitanabe—gardener
Roha Ombalal—director, Orbitech 1
Nancy Winkowski—chemical technician and laboratory assistant, later Watcher
KIBALCHICH (L-5)
Dr. Anna Tripolk—chief biochemist, in charge of research
Commander Stepan Rvrik—Kibalchich commanding officer