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Rescue One #1
Breaking Point
Brilliant scientist Antonio Baros and his team of space engineers invent an engine that can theoretically propel a spaceship faster-than-light, but it is yet to be tested. Fearful of losing the glory for his work, Antonio plots to fly the prototype spaceship himself, with disastrous results. Alone in space, with little hope of survival, he must face his inner demons or reach his breaking point.
Breaking Point is a self-contained short story and the prequel to the novel Rescue One.
Breaking Point is a self-contained short story and the prequel to the novel Rescue One.
- GenresScience Fiction
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2014
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
About the author
Michael Gardner
20 books73 followersFind all my titles at my Amazon author page.
The marketing experts say authors need a compelling biography. They say we should answer the following four questions, because this is the information you, the reader, really want to know.
1. Why do I write? I write because I have an obsession with writing which borders on a mental disorder. I’ve often wondered if I can get medicated for this condition, but it’s much cheaper and easier to spend time at a keyboard.
2. How long have I been at it? I’d love to tell you I had some magical writing awakening, but the truth is I’ve been writing since I could combine a noun and a verb to form a sentence. Not sure when that was or what I used. Probably the red crayon on the kitchen wall incident. It was a good story, but not well-received.
3. What is my inspiration? I’m inspired to write so I don’t have to find another pastime. I’ve tried stamp collecting, golf and other forms of self-harm, and writing seems to be the least destructive to my mental well-being and the environment. I also have an allergy to churning out books in a specific genre, which makes me a difficult author to follow. Sorry about that.
4. Do I have a pet, is it cute and what’s its name? I do have a pet. My wife thinks it’s cute. It’s actually the embodiment of evil with a soft coat. Amongst other names, I call it the Anti-Bob. If you'd like to know why, read The End and Other Stories.
Thanks for reading,
MG
The marketing experts say authors need a compelling biography. They say we should answer the following four questions, because this is the information you, the reader, really want to know.
1. Why do I write? I write because I have an obsession with writing which borders on a mental disorder. I’ve often wondered if I can get medicated for this condition, but it’s much cheaper and easier to spend time at a keyboard.
2. How long have I been at it? I’d love to tell you I had some magical writing awakening, but the truth is I’ve been writing since I could combine a noun and a verb to form a sentence. Not sure when that was or what I used. Probably the red crayon on the kitchen wall incident. It was a good story, but not well-received.
3. What is my inspiration? I’m inspired to write so I don’t have to find another pastime. I’ve tried stamp collecting, golf and other forms of self-harm, and writing seems to be the least destructive to my mental well-being and the environment. I also have an allergy to churning out books in a specific genre, which makes me a difficult author to follow. Sorry about that.
4. Do I have a pet, is it cute and what’s its name? I do have a pet. My wife thinks it’s cute. It’s actually the embodiment of evil with a soft coat. Amongst other names, I call it the Anti-Bob. If you'd like to know why, read The End and Other Stories.
Thanks for reading,
MG
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 25, 2014
Breaking Point by Michael Gardner
A dystopian space opera
The authors of science fiction stories often deal with problem that few of us have thought about, but are interesting to read and contemplate. In Isaac Asimov’s novels, Asimov led us down the path of entertainment while dealing with the problems of space, time, and travel. His characters encountered difficulties such as, ‘how do you control a robot that has human-like intelligence.’ These are the things upon which great science fiction stories are built.
Antonio Baros, the main character in Breaking Point, has invented an engine that can propel a spaceship faster than the speed of light, but he has no idea if it will work as designed. Like all inventors and engineers, Baros is reluctant to place his ‘baby’ in the hands of someone else to test it, and thus lose control of his project and the fame that will result from its success. As it has often been pointed out, no one remembers who came in second, the person that almost won, or the guy who made the work of the space pioneers successful.
To retain control of his project, Antonio pilots the prototype spaceship himself with disastrous results. Alone in space, with little hope of survival, he must come to terms with himself. This is an exciting story, and an imaginative beginning of what is to come in the forthcoming novel Rescue One.
A dystopian space opera
The authors of science fiction stories often deal with problem that few of us have thought about, but are interesting to read and contemplate. In Isaac Asimov’s novels, Asimov led us down the path of entertainment while dealing with the problems of space, time, and travel. His characters encountered difficulties such as, ‘how do you control a robot that has human-like intelligence.’ These are the things upon which great science fiction stories are built.
Antonio Baros, the main character in Breaking Point, has invented an engine that can propel a spaceship faster than the speed of light, but he has no idea if it will work as designed. Like all inventors and engineers, Baros is reluctant to place his ‘baby’ in the hands of someone else to test it, and thus lose control of his project and the fame that will result from its success. As it has often been pointed out, no one remembers who came in second, the person that almost won, or the guy who made the work of the space pioneers successful.
To retain control of his project, Antonio pilots the prototype spaceship himself with disastrous results. Alone in space, with little hope of survival, he must come to terms with himself. This is an exciting story, and an imaginative beginning of what is to come in the forthcoming novel Rescue One.
May 28, 2014
Roll on the first book proper!!
I bought this book as I had seen it on Goodreads and I liked the front cover, it grabbed me straight away and as a fan of sci-fi, I thought, heck why not!!
I read another review comparing it to the Star Trek universe and I can see where he was coming from in that this is the Star Trek First Contact to the next set of films.
This prequel sets the background to how humanity discover faster than light space flight and the main protagonist is someone that you want to like, while wanting to dislike as well. Going back to the Star Trek similarity, he is the James Cromwell!
All being said, it is a short story that has grabbed me and is making me wait for the first book in the series, as I am sure that I will be hooked.
I bought this book as I had seen it on Goodreads and I liked the front cover, it grabbed me straight away and as a fan of sci-fi, I thought, heck why not!!
I read another review comparing it to the Star Trek universe and I can see where he was coming from in that this is the Star Trek First Contact to the next set of films.
This prequel sets the background to how humanity discover faster than light space flight and the main protagonist is someone that you want to like, while wanting to dislike as well. Going back to the Star Trek similarity, he is the James Cromwell!
All being said, it is a short story that has grabbed me and is making me wait for the first book in the series, as I am sure that I will be hooked.
June 14, 2014
Rescue One: Breaking Point by Michael Gardner is a science fiction short story about Antonio, a scientist turned astronaut, who takes a maiden flight on an experimental spaceship.
Brilliant inventor Antonio Baros is so sure of his faster-than-light technology that he spares no political maneuvering to win the notoriety of being the space ship’s first pilot. Finally getting his way, Antonio straps in and takes this historic thirty-second trip. To die on the flight would have been bad enough. Surviving what really happened was far worse.
Rescue One: Breaking Point is a dandy prequel to the novel Rescue One. Delicious hubris mixed with homage to Einstein made for a fun read.
Brilliant inventor Antonio Baros is so sure of his faster-than-light technology that he spares no political maneuvering to win the notoriety of being the space ship’s first pilot. Finally getting his way, Antonio straps in and takes this historic thirty-second trip. To die on the flight would have been bad enough. Surviving what really happened was far worse.
Rescue One: Breaking Point is a dandy prequel to the novel Rescue One. Delicious hubris mixed with homage to Einstein made for a fun read.
May 2, 2014
It's a short story, but it will seem like you will have lived a whole life along with the main character.
Extremely emotional, sometimes even painfully so, this story will take you on a journey of discovery, success and failure, all at the same time. Personally, I went through all five stages of grief with the main character while reading it, hoping for a happy ending. In terms of emotions, this book delivers and does not disappoint.
Extremely emotional, sometimes even painfully so, this story will take you on a journey of discovery, success and failure, all at the same time. Personally, I went through all five stages of grief with the main character while reading it, hoping for a happy ending. In terms of emotions, this book delivers and does not disappoint.
March 8, 2015
Author Gardner uses this short story to set up the universe for his full-length novel, Rescue One. It doesn't feel like space opera, in which tech is treated more like magic than science. This is thoughtful science fiction. At the same time, it doesn't bog down to explain ad nauseum how all the science works.
The main character, Antonio Baras, was not the most likeable guy. Yes, bureaucracies are a royal pain, and Baras sees how important it is for all mankind that his new drive system work, but his unwillingness to involve others or recognize that they might make a vital contribution didn't sit well with me. By the end, I was ready to see him die while his discovery lived on just because I thought he deserved it. But the author was not so cruel and gave the character a chance to see the error of his ways. I applaud Gardner for being such a decent human being.
This will be an interesting universe to visit again in the novel, and I look forward to reading it!
The main character, Antonio Baras, was not the most likeable guy. Yes, bureaucracies are a royal pain, and Baras sees how important it is for all mankind that his new drive system work, but his unwillingness to involve others or recognize that they might make a vital contribution didn't sit well with me. By the end, I was ready to see him die while his discovery lived on just because I thought he deserved it. But the author was not so cruel and gave the character a chance to see the error of his ways. I applaud Gardner for being such a decent human being.
This will be an interesting universe to visit again in the novel, and I look forward to reading it!
August 13, 2016
The prequel to the up and coming novel, Rescue One, "Breaking Point" lays the foundation about what is to come.
The stage is set in an interesting format in the prequel, and a major character is introduced. We watch a type of "Star-Trek: First Contact" type of spin on an experiment that will ultimately help humanity speed through the universe.
The writing style was good, and I only found a few typos. However, I wondered at the need for this prequel as a separate story. In other words, why not simply put it in the up and coming book? Was it in order to solicit interest from readers? If so, because the main book is not yet out, I fear this may be all but forgotten by the time the story does come out. However, if I had the chance to read Rescue One today, I would probably do it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I rate the prequel as four stars.
The stage is set in an interesting format in the prequel, and a major character is introduced. We watch a type of "Star-Trek: First Contact" type of spin on an experiment that will ultimately help humanity speed through the universe.
The writing style was good, and I only found a few typos. However, I wondered at the need for this prequel as a separate story. In other words, why not simply put it in the up and coming book? Was it in order to solicit interest from readers? If so, because the main book is not yet out, I fear this may be all but forgotten by the time the story does come out. However, if I had the chance to read Rescue One today, I would probably do it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I rate the prequel as four stars.
April 19, 2015
A short story telling the tale of humanity’s first attempt at FTL travel. It focuses on the travails of the lead scientist of the project from inception to test flight.
I particularly liked the scientist’s rivalry, and eventual victory over, the assigned test pilot. As a physicist the tendency of the public to remember the person who sat in the cockpit pressing buttons over the person who actually designed and built the system rings true.
Some of the little details also remind me of things I’ve encountered on expeditions, like all the emergency rations being the same rubbish meal that no-one wanted to eat so someone shoved them in the emergency kit.
It sets up the next book by suggesting why Rescue One was set up. I expect I’ll read it soon…
I particularly liked the scientist’s rivalry, and eventual victory over, the assigned test pilot. As a physicist the tendency of the public to remember the person who sat in the cockpit pressing buttons over the person who actually designed and built the system rings true.
Some of the little details also remind me of things I’ve encountered on expeditions, like all the emergency rations being the same rubbish meal that no-one wanted to eat so someone shoved them in the emergency kit.
It sets up the next book by suggesting why Rescue One was set up. I expect I’ll read it soon…
June 16, 2014
This was a very good, if rather short, story. I know it’s a short story, but it felt like it could’ve easily been a bit longer, like some of the flashback bits could’ve done with a bit more fleshing out. I liked the main character, especially that he was far from perfect while still being competent. I liked that it starts with things going wrong and then flashes back to how the experiment got funded and whatnot, instead of moving chronologically. Really, my only complaint is that it was so very short.
September 2, 2016
This short story is based on Antonio a scientist who designed a space craft that travels faster than light. The story is about him wanting to be recognised for what he has built and sabotages other pilots careers to ensure that he becomes his own test pilot. I liked the writing style. However i felt it lacked further insight into Antonio's grand plan but perhaps that is the point of a short story. It was a good read.
June 28, 2014
A scientist develops a faster than light drive, but his hubris makes him risk everything.
I found this Sci-Fi story very interesting / clever, especially for a short story.
If you enjoy Sci-Fi this short story is definitely one to read.
I found this Sci-Fi story very interesting / clever, especially for a short story.
If you enjoy Sci-Fi this short story is definitely one to read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews