First Colony: Evolution: 1 of 5

The "First Colony" series by popular sci-fi writer A J Marshall, is a near future pentalogy about humankind colonising the Moon. As our neighbour and partner in the vastness of space, the Moon’s close proximity dictates much more than just the rising and ebbing of our ocean tides. Since time began, the Moon has influenced the very fabric of our existence. Indeed, without the presence of this apparently inert body, the Earth would not have become an oasis for any species, least of all ours. The predictable and eternal passage of the Moon through the night sky has etched its form into the subconscious of each and every generation that has preceded us. And so too, whether in desperation or not, it was just a matter of time before we viewed this familiar place as an achievable goal, with a frontier to be crossed like any other and subsequently a new land to be settled. Like the Americas centuries before, a new world beckoning, with promising opportunities and hopeful dreams over a distant horizon. As is often the case, however, old lessons learned are quickly forgotten as we rush to stake our claim – except that the irradiated cold of space and the desolate Moon are far less forgiving than any frontier that has enticed, even beguiled before.

In this first instalment, we share the early life of protagonist Arron Wu. As the first luman and amongst his many friends – all but a few born on the Moon – we witness an extraordinary childhood. Science and technology keep the colonists safe and warm in an unbelievably hostile environment. By nature, daily life is limiting, contained, often automated, but these first-born colonists know of little more, so miss correspondingly less. The seemingly near, but often ‘distant’ home planet takes more than it gives. Arron and his two closest friends share a brotherly bond – a sinuous, entangled, protective understanding – as their grow, learn, experience and often endanger themselves in the many virtual realities of their near future existence. Navigating these ‘virtualities’ pose dangers not yet imagined. This brotherhood of three, and as they approach their early twenties, gain a unique understand of the extreme dangers posed not only by Earth’s corrupt conglomerates, but perhaps more so, the inescapable and alarming rise of the mechanicals.

A J Marshall is also the writer of the popular 5-book "Kalahari” series of near future science fiction novels. See all his books on Amazon, today.