On the Shores of Titan's Farthest Sea: A Scientific Novel

248 Pages·2015·6.92 MB·English

by  Michael Carroll (auth.)

Michael Carroll
On the Shores
of Titan’s
Farthest Sea
A Scientifi c Novel
Science and Fiction
Editorial Board
Mark Alpert
Philip Ball
Gregory Benford
Michael Brotherton
Victor Callaghan
Amnon H. Eden
Nick Kanas
Geoff rey Landis
Rudi Rucker
Dirk Schulze-Makuch
Rüdiger Vaas
Ulrich Walter
Stephen Webb
Science and Fiction – A Springer Series
Th is collection of entertaining and thought-provoking books will appeal equally to
science buff s, scientists and science-fi ction fans. It was born out of the recognition that
scientifi c discovery and the creation of plausible fi ctional scenarios are often two sides
of the same coin. Each relies on an understanding of the way the world works, coupled
with the imaginative ability to invent new or alternative explanations —and even other
worlds. Authored by practicing scientists as well as writers of hard science fi ction, these
books explore and exploit the borderlands between accepted science and its fi ctional
counterpart. Uncovering mutual infl uences, promoting fruitful interaction, narrating
and analyzing fi ctional scenarios, together they serve as a reaction vessel for inspired
new ideas in science, technology, and beyond.
Whether fi ction, fact, or forever undecidable: the Springer Series “Science and
Fiction” intends to go where no one has gone before!
Its largely non- technical books take several diff erent approaches. Journey with their
authors as they
• Indulge in science speculation – describing intriguing, plausible yet unproven ideas;
• Exploit science fi ction for educational purposes and as a means of promoting critical
thinking;
• Explore the interplay of science and science fi ction – throughout the history of the
genre and looking ahead;
• Delve into related topics including, but not limited to: science as a creative process,
the limits of science, interplay of literature and knowledge;
• Tell fi ctional short stories built around well-defi ned scientifi c ideas, with a
supplement summarizing the science underlying the plot.
Readers can look forward to a broad range of topics, as intriguing as they are
important. Here just a few by way of illustration:
• Time travel, superluminal travel, wormholes, teleportation
• Extraterrestrial intelligence and alien civilizations
• Artifi cial intelligence, planetary brains, the universe as a computer, simulated worlds
• Non-anthropocentric viewpoints
• Synthetic biology, genetic engineering, developing nanotechnologies
• Eco/infrastructure/meteorite- impact disaster scenarios
• Future scenarios, transhumanism, posthumanism, intelligence explosion
• Virtual worlds, cyberspace dramas
• Consciousness and mind manipulation
More information about this series at h ttp://www.springer.com/series/11657
Michael   C arroll
On the Shores
of Titan’s Farthest Sea
A Scientifi c Novel
Michael Carroll
Littleton , CO , USA
ISSN 2197-1188 ISSN 2197-1196 (electronic)
Science and Fiction
ISBN 978-3-319-17758-8 ISBN 978-3-319-17759-5 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-17759-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2015940883
Springer Cham Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2015
Th is work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the
material is concerned, specifi cally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfi lms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now
known or hereafter developed.
Th e use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant
protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
Th e publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are
believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the
editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or
omissions that may have been made.
Cover illustration © 2015 by Michael Carroll
Printed on acid-free paper
S pringer International Publishing AG Switzerland is part of Springer Science+Business Media
(www.springer.com)
Quotati on Page
I t is the dark thread that runs through every sea-faring culture. Th e
Homeric poetry of the Archaic period of Greek history [is] the fi rst to speak
specifi cally of the practice, but even the Minoans, whose sea-going fl eet was
unmatched in the ancient world, suff ered at the hands of coastal maraud-
ers. Wherever the elements of humanity, travel and commerce combine,
there has always been—and will always be—piracy.
—Alexander T. Grouthe, Of Seas and Men , Volume II
v

Acknowledgements
I’m grateful to Jani Radebaugh, Chris McKay, and Rosaly Lopes for their
technical Titan expertise on this and many other projects. Ralph Lorenz
helped me breathe life into my Brit hero, and guided me through the tech-
nical “waters” of Titan’s seas. Th anks to Carolyn Porco for a lunchtime
inspiration about Saturn’s rings. To Marilyn Flynn for being my trusted
critical reader from afar, and for creating the fi nest painting of Titan I have
ever seen. Ever. Randy Ingermanson is the power behind my research sta-
tion. Th anks for your years of encouragement! Special thanks to Edie
Carroll and Alexandra Carroll for being my trusted critical readers from
anear (thanks, Mother and Daughter!), and Bruce Morrison, extraordinary
artist in many ways. Rebecca Rowe saved my characters, not an easy thing
to do. My thanks to Nick Kanas for clarifying mental issues, both those of
my characters and my own. Chad Glass contributed thoughts on Titan
landscapes. My critique group, Bonnie Doran and Carol Eaton, have been
ruthless and, therefore, priceless. Th e same goes for Maury Solomon, edi-
tor extraordinaire, who forced my nose to the grindstone that one more
vital time. Th anks also to Michelle at my local King Soopers store for
advice on roses. Finally, and foremost, my thanks to Caroline, whose
patience, love, and literary expertise have always made my words sing, even
when I’m not writing.
A nod goes to “My Little Ponies” for monstrous inspiration.
vii

Contents
Part I
The Novel ........................................................................................ 1
1 E ncounter ............................................................................................. 3
2 A bigail Marco ....................................................................................... 5
3 B affled and Bewildered ......................................................................... 1 1
4 D emian Sable ....................................................................................... 1 5
5 B reak-in ............................................................................................... 21
6 C rash .................................................................................................... 2 7
7 Tanya and Abby .................................................................................... 2 9
8 V esta Valentines ................................................................................... 3 5
9 T itanic Invitation .................................................................................. 39
10 Skyward ............................................................................................... 43
11 T he Villa ............................................................................................... 4 9
12 T alking Trash ......................................................................................... 5 3
13 Submersible ......................................................................................... 5 9
14 P artly Cloudy ........................................................................................ 6 5
15 E ncounter II .......................................................................................... 6 9
ix