EARTHLIGHT
As found in the omnibus Across The Sea Of Stars
I went into this one blind. I had no idea what awaited me. I soon discovered a well written and engaging tale. Perhaps not a great novel, but certainly a darn good one.
Tensions between the Earth and the peoples of the ex-colonies in space now united to form the Federation are nearing a breaking point. Some are even predicting war, as absurd as it sounds. The mere distances involved and the laws of physics seem to preclude full scale inter-planetary conflict. Of course, it doesn't mean that limited, precision battles are out of the realm of probability. And it now seems someone on the lunar settlements is a spy for the Federation.
Thrust into all this is Bertram Sadler, the reluctant secret agent. He is dispatched to investigate the personnel of the Lunar Observatory under the cover of being an agent of the Audit Bureau. Though inexperienced and hastily trained, he tries his best to delve into the lives and politics of the staff and support team. Yet despite his best efforts, he has little to show for his work.
Meanwhile, something strange is going on not far from the Observatory. It becomes apparent that the military is involved in something they desperately want to keep hidden. Never fear, we do eventually get to see very clearly what they have accomplished. We do so when the Federation dispatches three ships to destroy the secret base. A battle of incredable proportions ensues, with the balance of power at stake. The winner would have the upper hand in the conflict.
There is alot to like about this novel. The aforementioned battle is brought to life by Mr. Clarke in a way I would not have thought possible, considering the technology involved. Masterful. Part of the charm is that Sadler is a likeable fellow despite his intentions, and he fails miserably at his work. Years later, when it no longer matters, he finally figures out the identity of the spy and they have a little meeting. And best of all, the outcome of the battle, along with the ramifications, is perfect.
Not a masterpiece, but I am glad I read it. My appreciation for Mr. Clarke's writing grows with every piece of work I read.
Across The Sea Of Stars
