Pushing Ice

In 2057, humanity has developed extensive operations throughout the solar system. Bella Lind commands the Rockhopper, a nuclear-powered ship whose crew mines comets for ice. As their current mission cycle nears completion, the crew anticipates rest when unexpected news arrives: Janus, an ice moon of Saturn, has left its orbit and is accelerating out of the solar system at high speed. As observations continue, it becomes apparent that Janus is not a natural moon but a machine of unknown origin, traveling toward an artifact located 260 light-years away. The Rockhopper is the only vessel positioned to intercept Janus before it becomes unreachable. Bella Lind accepts orders to shadow the object for the critical days remaining before it escapes the solar system entirely. This decision commits her ship and crew to an encounter with Janus and its unexpected consequences.