The Stars, Like Dust

Synopsis

Mankind has conquered space and moved toward the starry heart of the galaxy. Earth is a planet of no importance, riddled with radioactivity by long-forgotten wars.

When assassins target his rooms and news arrives that, many light-years away, his father has been murdered, student Biron Farrill flees for his life.

Stunned, grief-stricken, and outraged, Biron is determined to uncover the reasons behind his father's death, and finds himself entangled in a web of deep-space rebellion, espionage, and political intrigue.

Asimov's Galactic Empire novels are among the earliest stories by one of the twentieth century's greatest visionaries. Filled with ideas and wonders, they are classic adventures from science fiction's Golden Age.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Last Great Hope

* Earth is a dying planet, ravaged by pollution and overpopulation.
* A group of scientists led by Dr. Arlys Gideon embark on a daring mission to find a new home for humanity among the stars.

Example: The scientists discover a promising exoplanet called Aurelia, which offers a hospitable environment for human life.

Chapter 2: The Long Journey

* The starship Exodus embarks on a centuries-long journey to Aurelia.
* The crew faces numerous challenges along the way, including radiation exposure, asteroid storms, and life-support failures.

Example: Crew member Miko Yazawa sacrifices himself to repair a critical system, saving the ship and its passengers.

Chapter 3: The Arrival

* After an arduous journey, the Exodus arrives at Aurelia.
* The scientists find that the planet is not as welcoming as they had hoped, with a toxic atmosphere and hostile biosphere.

Example: The crew realizes that they cannot settle on Aurelia permanently and must continue their search for a new home.

Chapter 4: The Legacy

* The survivors of the Exodus establish a temporary base on Aurelia.
* They send out probes to explore the surrounding star systems and continue to study the planet in the hope of finding a way to make it habitable.

Example: Scientists discover ancient ruins on Aurelia, indicating that another civilization once lived there.

Chapter 5: The Hope Dies

* Years of research and exploration prove fruitless.
* The crew realizes that Aurelia is not a viable home for humanity and they must abandon it.

Example: The survivors dismantle the base and prepare to leave Aurelia, their dreams of a new home shattered.

Chapter 6: The End

* The Exodus sets sail for Earth, but it is too late.
* Earth has become a barren wasteland, and the human race is extinct.

Example: The final transmission from the Exodus reveals that the crew died during their return journey, leaving behind only the stars, like dust, as a testament to their lost hope.