Taking place in the mid-21st century, a group of colonists from Earth have just established a small settlement on a planet orbiting a nearby star. Their main motivation is to get away from Earth-based artificial intelligence, but also just to expand the frontier in an adventurous spirit. The colony has been established, thanks to help from molecular manufacturing (commonly called nanotechnology). Early in the story, a mysterious disaster hits the colony, with huge consequences. This drives a small band of smart and adventurous teenagers to strike out into the wilderness, exploring the planet. Half the story is told from their point of view as they learn extraordinary things about the planet and it's inhabitants. At first, they just keep uncovering new mysteries, but eventually the pieces start to come together in a surprising way. The reader is treated to a unique perspective from the native life on the planet, with it's very different social order, philosophy, ways of communicating, and means of living.In parallel with this, we follow the colony as they struggle to deal with the disastrous situation they are faced with. Having unknowingly turned away the two groups that could best help them, they face one obstacle after another. Their very existence depends on rapidly developing solutions to a host of problems.Eventually, the two story-lines recombine in a new adventure.
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