Callisto, converted from one of Jupiter’s moons to a giant space station in the greatest human endeavour in history, speeds through empty space on its sixty-year mission to reach the Elysian System, a possible new living space for Earth’s population. The occupants of Callisto carry on with their lives and work in the seven connected domes, accustomed to an existence of isolation and routine. Suddenly, a malevolent presence appears in Callisto’s complex hardware and software network. People die, victims of apparently malfunctioning systems. Vital data is obliterated by instructions sent from seemingly nowhere. Manufacturing machinery goes haywire. The crew of Callisto, terrified, attempt to carry on as usual. Deputy Security Chief Rey Barrett, an expert in Community Policing and peaceful negotiation and a man of limited network knowledge, is faced with the task of finding and neutralising the evil presence. Accompanied by his inexperienced assistant, Julie, Rey faces more and more vicious attacks on Callisto inhabitants and property as he fights to find and combat the frighteningly able and intelligent villain.
Ian N Smith has been fascinated by science fiction from an early age and counts Isaac Asimov, Kurt Vonnegut Jr and Roger Zelazney among his influences. The inspiration for Crisis on Callisto is the very real barrier to mankind travelling faster than the speed of light. Ian has spent his life working as a data analyst and statistician in the medical research and waste management fields. He is widowed with three adult children and lives in Sydney, Australia. Crisis on Callisto is his first novel.