by Linda Nagata
The controversial platform was towed into place last summer when the ice was in retreat. Its presence is an opening shot in a still-incubating territorial war.
Sigil is a spar platform: It floats on the ocean’s surface, its superstructure rising above a huge, hollow cylinder that extends seven hundred feet into the deep to keep the platform stabilized. Underwater cables, attached to the bottom of the cylinder, drop down another three thousand feet to an oceanic ridge, anchoring Sigil even against the pressure of the ice—so far, anyway.
Whether there’s oil in that ridge, no one really knows. Initial drilling on the first exploratory well stopped at the onset of winter. But a small crew of technicians and scientists remained aboard—until mid-October, when the staff of technicians was reduced by half, electronic communications went on lockdown, and a private security company was hired to protect the facility and the staff, ostensibly from potential piracy and sabotage.
If our intelligence is accurate, the drilling platform now hosts a force of ten experienced mercenaries. Maybe those mercs are the good guys in this coming conflict and maybe we’re the bad guys. Maybe the scientists aboard Deep Winter Sigil really are there to study the dynamics of the polar ice pack and the winter habits of passing polar bears.
But I fucking doubt it.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Trials had help along the way from many of the same people who so generously provided assistance for its predecessor, The Red. They are: Nancy Jane Moore, Edward A. White, Dallas Nagata White, Vonda N. McIntyre, Jeffrey A. Carver, and Chaz Brenchley.
Judith Tarr again served as my initial editor, with additional insight from Joe Monti, my editor at Saga Press.
Thanks to all of you for your assistance, your patience, your wisdom, and your time. Thanks also to my husband, Ronald J. Nagata, Sr., whose continued support makes my writing possible.
A writer, of course, is nothing without readers. Thank you to all who’ve spent time in my story worlds. Your interest and encouragement are deeply appreciated.
If you enjoyed The Trials, please consider reviewing it at a blog or an online bookseller, or mention it on your favorite social media. Don’t forget to look for the final book in The Red Trilogy, Going Dark, also from Saga Press. To be notified of my latest books and stories, please visit my website at MythicIsland.com and sign up to receive my occasional newsletter.
Linda Nagata, January 2015
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LINDA NAGATA is the author of many novels and short stories, including The Bohr Maker, winner of the Locus Award for best first novel, and the novella “Goddesses,” the first online publication to receive a Nebula Award. The Red: First Light was a finalist for best novel for both the Nebula and John W. Campbell Awards. She lives with her husband in their longtime home on the island of Maui. Visit her at MythicIsland.com.
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
authors.simonandschuster.com/Linda-Nagata
ALSO BY LINDA NAGATA
THE RED
GOING DARK
(FORTHCOMING)
We hope you enjoyed reading this SAGA PRESS eBook.
* * *
Sign up for our newsletter and receive special offers, access to bonus content, and info on the latest new releases and other great eBooks from SAGA PRESS and Simon & Schuster.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Text copyright © 2015 by Linda Nagata
Cover photograph copyright © 2015 by Larry Rostant
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
SAGA PRESS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [email protected].
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
The text for this book is set in Adobe Garamond.
CIP data is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4814-4658-7 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4814-4095-0 (mass market pbk)
ISBN 978-1-4814-4096-7 (eBook)
Contents
* * *
Episode 1: The Trial
Interim: Fallout
Episode 2: Shadow Governments
Interim: Divine Favor
Episode 3: Vertigo Gate
Supplementary Documentation: Exit Interview
'Going Dark' Excerpt
Acknowledgments
About the Author