Ad Astra
<p>In this collection of short stories, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author Jack Campbell explores what kinds of problems mankind might face as our horizons expand. </p> <p>"Lady Be Good": The <i>Lady Be Good</i> is an old ship, running obscure routes with her loyal first officer Kilcannon and reclusive captain. When Kilcannon decides to rescue the survivors of an attack on a Vestral Company ship, a mysterious new passenger thanks him by asking difficult questions about the <i>Lady</i>, with unexpected answers. </p> <p>In "Kyrie Eleison," the Verio, shipwrecked centuries ago on an out-of-the-way planet, and the descendants of the ship's survivors have gotten along as well as they can by following the orders that were passed on to them. But when the <i>Bellegrange</i> arrives on a rescue mission, her captain will have to reckon with the unexpected social order on the planet. </p> <p>In "Do No Harm," a ship is so technologically advanced that it can repair itself - but turning over the keys might not be the best idea. And in "Down the Rabbit Hole," a series of failed attempts at faster-than-light travel leads to a novel approach: sending an untested naval captain out in a space ship to see if he can figure out what's gone wrong. </p>