Calypso Outward Bound

by D G Hervey

  Marie answered, “The possible outcomes of this adventure are wonderful to imagine.”

  Appendix A - Character Information

  Agnieszka, President, Poland, Subtle

  Amudo, Ek Captain, Korea, Subtle

  Azek, molecular biochemist, Mexico, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Azita, secretary-clerk, Iran, Hidden

  Bachie, industrial engineer - lumber entrepreneur - Taxer, northern India, Hidden

  Belis, Ek Lieutenant, Wales, UK, Subtle

  Besses, Captain, Switzerland, Subtle

  Bettina, secretary, Germany, Subtle

  Cuadro, obstetrician, Guatemala, Subtle

  Daliborka, Dui Lieutenant, Czech, Hidden

  Delphine, 9-12 teacher - IT cancer research assistant, S. Africa, Hidden, Yon’s pod

  Djang, chef - entrepreneur - Taxer, China, Subtle

  Dudar, reactor operator, Argentina, Subtle

  Ebesh, Lieutenant, Turkey, Hidden, Yon’s pod

  Elina, Lieutenant, Spain, Subtle

  Eveleen, Dui Lieutenant, Ireland, Celtic, Hidden

  Fawn, agronomist, Oraibi, Arizona, USA - Hopi, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Fran, Captain of Spaceship 1 - Speaker of Taxers, Belgium, Subtle

  Garbine, Lieutenant, Venezuela, Subtle

  Gulgin, entertainment entrepreneur - physical therapist - Taxer, Turkey, Subtle

  Haley, life-extension research, London, England, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Helve, secretary, Lapland, Finland - Sami, Hidden

  Hetem, Lieutenant, S. Africa, Subtle

  Himadi, Captain, India - Dravidian, Subtle

  Holza, computer manufacturer, Germany, Subtle

  Hsiano, Lieutenant, Mongolia, Subtle

  Ilaki, Secretary of the Treasury, Hawaii, USA, Subtle

  Jelena, ML officer - Vice President, Latvia, Hidden, Yon’s pod

  Jon, retired engineer - father figure - Marie’s husband, Crockett, Texas, USA, Subtle

  Kalari, molecular cell biologist, S. Africa, Subtle

  Kallik, Secretary of the Interior, Canada - Inuit, Subtle

  Klomp, MD - cardiologist, The Netherlands, Subtle

  Marie, retired teacher & secretary - Jon’s wife, Crockett, Texas, USA, Subtle

  ML, company owner, Australia - Aborigine, Spaceship 1

  Naqvi, Captain - Admiral, Qatar, Hidden

  Natalia, reactor operator, Italy, Subtle

  Niki, neural biochemist, Russia, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Nusa, Dui Captain, Hungary, HIdden

  Nzos, industrial engineer - entrepreneur, A. Nzo District, Eastern Cape, S. Africa, Subtle

  Olfan, gymnast - flautist, Sweden, Hidden, Yon’s pod

  Onaho, zoo keeper, Japan, Subtle

  Opa, Dui Captain, Choctaw, USA, Hidden

  Ozlem, obstetrician, Turkey - Kurd, Subtle

  Paksie, Lieutenant, Philippines, Subtle

  Ristin, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, Norway, Finno-Ugric - Sami, Subtle

  Simona, Captain - Admiral of the Fleet, Romania, Subtle

  Tameena (Tami), molecular biologist, Bangladesh - Khasi, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Tikoa, Lieutenant, New Zealand - Maori, Subtle

  Uleran, Secretary of the Fleet, Philippines, Subtle

  Vaseg, Ek Lieutenant, Pakistan, Subtle

  Vrike, vintner, London, England, Subtle

  Weinfur, non-ferrous machinist entrepreneur - Taxer, Austria, Hidden

  Wihem, secretary-clerk life-extension research, Austria, Hidden, Yon’s pod

  Xis, astronomer, China, Subtle

  Ykon, plant pathologist, Sudan - Copt, Subtle, Jon’s pod

  Zarifa Ykon, Subtle

  Zeilno, air quality control technician, Hungary, Subtle

  Zvanie, Ek Captain, Belarus, Subtle

  Acknowledgements

  I come from a family of gifted writers. My grandfather wrote poems. My mother wrote poems and short stories. My daughter writes poems, novels, and has several published books on cooking and dog breeds. In 1980 I wrote and published a 619 page family history and genealogy book for my parents’ golden wedding anniversary.

  Since the mid 1970s I have been developing my ideas for how humanity can successfully leave the solar system; in my view that is an imperative for our species. So, many thanks to all of the unremembered people who unwittingly contributed to the development of these ideas which are the foundation for this science fiction saga.

  For a couple of weeks I wrote the beginning of this story before I told my wife, Joyce, that I was writing a science fiction novel. She was quite surprised that I had kept it to myself for so long. She read what I had written and liked my ideas. She encouraged me to continue and was the first reviewer of every chapter thereafter. Initially, she was concerned that if she were too critical I would get discouraged. Ultimately, she became my most reliable reviewer and critic.

  Fortunately, several other literary-minded family members have reviewed my writings and offered criticism. My sister-in-law Joan Cobb, an experienced editor and critic, provided her response to the first three books of the saga, including this one. My brother, Richard Hervey, provided criticism of the technical content of the first three books of the saga.

  Good friends, DeLonn and David McCall, both retired high school English teachers, enthusiastically supported my project. In addition to editorial comments, DeLonn specifically suggested more variety in “dialogue markers” and inclusion of some comic relief. David commented that he thought the story should be made into a series for television.

  My friend, Wesley Crawford, willingly undertook the creation of covers for the books and created the beautiful cover being used.

  Technical sources used include the periodical Science News, many sites on the internet, and the magazine New Space.