Steal across the Sky
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The aliens appeared one day, built a base on the moon, and put an ad on the Internet:
βWe are an alien race you may call the Atoners. Ten thousand years ago we wronged humanity profoundly. We cannot undo what has been done, but we wish humanity to understand it. Therefore we request twenty-one volunteers to visit seven planets to witness for us. We will convey each volunteer there and back in complete safety. Volunteers must speak English. Send requests for electronic applications to [email protected].β
At first, everyone thought it was a joke. But it wasnβt. This is the story of three of those volunteers and what they found on Kular A and Kular B.
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Nancy Kress is the author of more than thirty books, including more than a dozen novels of science fiction and fantasy. Her novels have won two Hugo and six Nebula awards as well as the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for best science fiction novel. She lives in Seattle.
Kate Reading is the recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been named by AudioFile magazine as a βVoice of the Century,β as well as the Best Voice in Science Fiction & Fantasy in 2008 and 2009 and Best Voice in Biography & Culture in 2010. She has narrated works by such authors as Jane Austen, Robert Jordan, Edith Wharton, and Sophie Kinsella. Reading has performed at numerous theaters in Washington D.C. and received a Helen Hayes Award for her performance in Aunt Dan and Lemon. AudioFile magazine reports that, "With subtle control of characters and sense of pacing, Kateβs performances are a consistent pleasure."
