Free Stories 2012

In January of 2011 we started posting free short stories we thought might be of interest to Baen readers. The first stories were "Space Hero" by Patrick Lundrigan, the winner of the 2010 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest, and "Tanya, Princess of Elves," by Larry Correia, author of Monster Hunter International and set in that universe. As new stories are made available, they will be posted on the main page, then added to this book (to save the Baen Barflies the trouble of doing it themselves). This is our compilation of short stories for 2012. A collection of tales by an all-star assortment of award winning authors including Ben Bova, Mike Resnick, Jack McDevitt, Michael Bishop, Sarah Hoyt and more together with essays on high technology by space scientists and engineers all taking on new methods of star travel. Some humans may be content staying in one place, but many of us are curious about whats beyond the next village, the next ocean, the next horizon. Are there others like us out there? How will we reach them? Others are concerned with the survival of the species. It may be that we have to get out of Dodge before the lights go out on Earth. How can we accomplish this? Wonderful questions. Now get ready for some answers. Here is the science behind interstellar reports from top tier scientists and engineers on starflight propulsion techniques that use only means and methods that we currently know are scientifically possible. Here are in-depth essays on antimatter containment, solar sails, and fusion propulsion. And the human consequences? Here is speculation by a magnificent array of award-winning SF writers on what an interstellar voyage might look like, might feel likemight be like. Its an all-star cast abounding with Hugo and Nebula award Ben Bova, Mike Resnick, Jack McDevitt, Michael Bishop, Sarah Hoyt and more. Comprehensive Teacher's Guide available. "A diverse set of award-winning science fiction authors, including Ben Bova, Mike Resnick, Michael Bishop, and others speculate on what an interstellar voyage based on real physics might look like. Plus, top scientists and engineers weigh in with compelling arguments for how such a voyage might actually be accomplished"--Page 4 of cover