After Flawed Dreams

Definition #5:  Strain is damage or injury due to over·exertion or abuse.  The strains inflicted by the one crisis will not impede th'arrival of the next.This is the story of Darwin's auxiliary as·well·as Habitat Inconstant Moon, Verona Void·Ship·Yard and th'intial migration to Jovian moon Callisto.  It's #5 of the Strains series, a late prequel to #1 Above the Sun.  Like the rest of the series, it's set among the few surviving habitats scattered thinly across th'inter·planetary void in the aftermath of the collapse of civilization and near·extinction of humanity – post post apocalyptic.Terran evolution is poor preparation for life in void, and advanced civilization is even poorer.  Those marooned between the planets must evolve their society and their technology simultaneously while addressing multiple threats:  1) The radiation levels are too high.  2) There are no minor accidents, any little slip can wipe out an entire habitat.  3) To have any hope of long·term survival, the population must increase rapidly.  4) Terran civilization begins to recover and will surely intrude, bearing the logical equivalents of wampum and fire·water.  5) While all others have continued to increase, a reclusive subset of cælestial society has recently dropped from 5 habitats down to 4, and no·one knows how best to respond.  Et cætera.Despite all that, and because of it as·well, it's a great place to grow·up in, especially for the mid·kids – ie, kids in the 3rd quarter of childhood.  It's all for them, and all they need do to deserve it is to change, to evolve, but fast, and never stop.  None·the·less some adults do occasionally try to stop them, or at·least slow them down.  No·one ever tries it twice.Stylistically the Strains series is unique, an experimental hybrid genre all its own, the details of which are discussed in th'introduction to volume #1.  It's theoretically possible to read the series out of order, but not recommended.REQUIRES COLOR.