Celestial Matters

Plot

Aias, a distinguished scientist of the Delian League, is set to command the first, secret expedition to the sun. The ship, Chandra's Tear, sculpted whole from moon matter, is ready to depart on its epic voyage. But as Aias is returning from his final shore leave to Athens across the Mediterranean, his ship is attacked by enemy soldiers flying deadly self-propelled battle kites. Aias's death seems certain, until the arrival of the Greek navy and, more surprising, Aias's new bodyguard, a tough Spartan warrior woman called Yellow Hare, who has been sent by the ruling Archons to protect their valuable captain. And so begins the most extraordinary SF adventure of the year. Battling against overwhelming odds - not to mention assassins, traitors, and the paranoia of his own military forces - Aias takes Chandra's Tear on the strangest and most wonderful voyage in all (alternate) history.