THE DUST IS KEY TO SURVIVAL ON THE FLOATING CLOUD CITIES OF VENUS
The alien microscopic machines, known as dust, allowed humanity to break the bonds of Earth. With prolonged life and increased health brought by the dust, the solar system was ripe for the taking. When Earth used up the last of its deposits, more were discovered on Venus, launching a colonizing boom on the hellish planet.
Aaron Matthews’ entire life revolves around the parasitic dust he carries. He trusts it, and living in the cloud cities of Venus, trust is everything. Even when the Martians arrive, causing damage to several habitats on their messy arrival, Aaron trust the Council to watch out for the citizens of Venus.
But his trust is threatened, as the Martians unload a cargo the Council does not identify. He watches as his daughter is groomed for life on Mars by the visitors to his daughter’s school and fears he may lose her. He doesn’t want to consider he has misplaced his trust, until he realizes what the Council may be doing with the dust. As his digging brings the threats close to home and his wife forces him away, Aaron is forced into a fight he doesn’t want. Faced with the very real possibility of losing his family or his way of life, he must lay his trust aside.
DANIEL R. BURKHARD 