The EASS Galileo disappeared decades ago while investigating an unidentified object, code-named Spindrift. Now the Galileo's shuttle has returned carrying three surviving expedition members, who still appear to be the same age they were when they departed. They report that they have, indeed, made contact with an extraterrestrial race-and become enmeshed in a conflict that brought them face to face with the most apocalyptic force in the galaxy.
Spindrift (2006) 282 pages by Allen Steele.
Spindrift is set in the same universe as Steele's Coyote series. Earth has started exploring neighboring stars, and has sent ships to Coyote, and just discovered the star bridge. In this book, an object [which they name Spindrift] is discovered approximately 2 l.y. from Earth. A message is sent to the object and a reply is received, causing the ESA and UA to form a joint partnership to investigate the object.
A mission with nine crew and six scientists is sent to Spindrift. Of the six "scientists" one is a shill for the ESA and one for the UA, the captain is not really qualified except by nepotism. The protagonists are the first officer Ted Harker, shuttle pilot Emily Collins and scientist Ramirez. From the prologue we know that these are the three survivors, or at least the three that return to Earth.
When they get to spindrift they find that the object orbiting it is a star bridge. Eventually the mission is divided with some investigating the bridge and Ted, Emily, Cruz and Ramirez taking the shuttle and investigating spindrift.
Spoiler alert. The end of part four has our three heroes on Spindrift, in a shuttle with six days of supplies, two light years and receding from Earth. They've had no contact with Earth since leaving Earth's star bridge just outside the solar system. So they put themselves into the biostasis units on the shuttle. Part five has them being woken up from stasis, and the reaction I would have is "Thank you for reviving me, I thought I was a dead man. Would there be any way I could catch a ride back to Earth space? By the way you speak really good English" Instead it's "You left us in stasis for 53 years? What the heck were you doing all that time?" I think this is a reflection of our culture has come to expect a sense of entitlement.
Anyway the book was excellent, he's created a universe with a set of rules and he's sticking to them. The main characters are well thought out, and a few two-dimensional like the buffoon captain. Fun read, good flow. If you were to pick up one Steele novel, I'd recommend OceanSpace or ChronoSpace, but if you're interested in a series, the Coyote series/universe is a good choice.
