Mankind's greatest achievement of the twentieth century is now lost in the mists of history. Over thirty years have passed since the first human set foot on another planetary body, the Moon. In the intervening quarter of a century, manned space exploration has been reduced to an altitude of two hundred statute miles. Yet still space beckons-- the Moon hangs in each night's sky like a taunting enemy, laughing at us, challenging us to ascend to her lofty heights. Finally, a man once again sets foot upon our celestial neighbor. This time he does not set a flag and speak a short phrase to grasp the imagination of all humanity. This time he is not an emissary of some government. This time he is an ordinary man who has come to set up shop.
Representing the private business, Selena Corp, Hawk Stanton is placed on the Moon by using a sequence of new, innovative technologies. These are not the technologies used by NASA, but are those used by a lone man in a hostile wilderness. These are the tools used by a man to survive.
Injured by a white-hot Subterrene probe, Hawk is repaired by a surgical team operating from the Earth. Battered by loneliness and depression, Hawk relies on his friend and colleague back on Earth, Rowdy, to retain his link to humanity. Opposed by the US government, he finds his stay extended from weeks to months.
But Hawk survives.
Battered by loneliness, depression, and injury, Hawk struggles under the continuous assault by the cold, the vacuum, and the desolation of the Moon. Then, near the end of his endurance, he faces the greatest test of his life and makes the greatest discovery for all mankind.
This is the story of one ordinary man, born to honor, who took upon himself the task of leading mankind, finally, into the great frontier.
