Originally published on Amazon in 2013, now published here as a serial for the free enjoyment of all. Book 3 to come later this year. This one could also stand a complete re-write with the knowledge and skill I've developed in the interim, and I may do so once I have pushed out chapters for the third book in the series. In the not too distant future, a group of seven people will set out on a mission of exploration to a nearby star system. Their destination is the Tau Ceti system, one of ten planned destinations as part of a new privately-funded space programme, involving many countries across the Earth. However, old problems still exist, and while they make their successful launch, they have no idea what begins to take place at home, what they will face on their journey, and who decides to pay Earth a visit while they are gone.