Author upholds tradition
of modern sci-fi writers
“The Sails of Tau Ceti”
Michael McCollum
Del Rey Books
By Sam Kepfield
Staff Reporter
In his eighth book, Michael
McCollum continues the hard sci
fi tradition pioneered by Robert A.
Heinlein and carried on by other
contemporaries such as David Brin
and Greg Benford.
In the 23rd century, humans have
colonized the moon, Mars and the
moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Final
preparations for the launch of the
Starhopper, cAir first interplanetary,
manned mission, are under way.
Suddenly, long-range telescopes
pick up a spacecraft headed toward
Earth from nearby Tau Ceti. The
Starhopper is diverted to intercept
the ship, powered by a light sail and
apparently deserted.
However, when the four human
travelers approach the ship, they
are hailed by alien beings — in
perfect English. The Phelan have
been fleeing their dead sun for cen
turies, and the 100,000refugees are
seeking a new home — Earth.
To that end, they have studied
Earth’s culture, languages and even
humor extensively in order to
readily assimilate. They know us
well — almost too well.
They ask Tory Bronson,
Starhopper’s chief engineer, to be
their “advocate” in making their
case to Earth for resettlement. And
when she accepts, she learns the
Phelan are not what they appear to
be.
There are not three ships, but
more than 20,000 loaded with 3
billion Phelan and they’re all headed
toward Earth. They demand a por
tion of Earth’s surface for settle
ment. If not, they will move on to
the next star and power their light
sails by blowing up the sun.
Bronson is caught in an impos
sible situation and faces being cal led
a traitor no matter what she does.
She races to find a solution that will
save humanity and allow the Phelan
to survive.
McCollum mixes hard science
with a believable, fast-moving plot
and some memorable scenery (such
as a restaurant on top of a tower on
Mars’ Olympus Mons) and does it
in less than 300 pages.
“The Sails of f au Ccti” is a first
contact, space talc well done.
$3.00 per day for 15 words on individual student
and student organization ads.
$4.00 per day for 15 words on non-student ads.
$.15 each additional word.
$.75 billing charge. Personal ads must be prepaid.
Found ads may be submitted free of charge.
DEADLINE: 2:oo p.m. weekday before publica
tion.
The Daily Nebraskan will not print any adver
tisement which discriminates against any person
on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race,
religion, age, disability, marital status or national
origin.
The Daily Nebraskan reserves the right to edit
or reject any advertisement at any time which
does not comply with the policies and judgments
of the newspaper.
The advertisers agree to assume liability for all
contents of all ads printed, as well as any claim
arising therefrom made against the Daily Nebras
kan.
Writing an effective ad
Be descriptive. The more information you pro
vide the readers, the better your responses will be.
Begin the ad with the item for sale or offered.
Include the price of the items for sale.
Highlight the ad with larger type, boldface, art or
a box.
3 Bicycles For Sale
53cm white Bianchi, Italiam frame, campy equipped. 4
tiree (Continental & Kevlar) $350 firm. 476-6838 mes
sage.
Lincoln Police Department notice of sale of unclaimed
bicycles. September 19. 1992 1000am. Lincoln Land
Towing. 410 W. P.St. No checks accepted.
MUST SELL: Schwinn/Essience Mountain bike. 18
speed, excellent condition. Best offer. 423-6365.
Street ready, low cost bicycles, many makes and
models.Call 475-3847. Stop by 2252 Orchard.
6 Computers For Sale
IBM compatible 286-12 computer tor sale. High density
drives. VGA color monitor, many software titles, 40 MB
hard drive, mouse, 101 -Key Keyboard. DOS 5.0, Win
dows 3.1 included. $700, Call David 436-0002.
8 Furniture For Sale
Metal desk. L-shaped. Locks. Excellent condition. $250.
489-8948, leave message.
Super single waterbed plus 3 sets of sheets. $75. 476
10 Misc. For Sale
CHEAP! FBI/U.S. SEIZED
89 MERCEDES.$200
86 VW.S50
87 MERCEDES.$100
65 MUSTANG.$50
Choose from thousands starting $25. FREE Information
24 Hour Hotline. 801-379-2929 Copyright #NE11KJC
Vacuums. Good. used. $30 with warranty. Randolph
Vacuums, 2712 Randolph. 438-3163.
18 Stereos/TVs For Sale
MUST SELL! VCR-General Electric, 4-head, Hi-Fi Stereo,
remote control. $290. 421-8284.
Yamaha stereo system (receiver, CD, dual cassette,
equalizer), 2 Technics 27 inch 3-way speakers. Excellent
condition $750. Call Chad 436-7916.
19 Ticket Exchange
2 tickets U2 concert in Ames, Iowa. Face value or best
Offer. 434-3421 or 474-5859.
2-U2 tickets for sale! Great seats I Anne 464-2705. Call
Nowl
Four U2 tickets, 32 row turf. Best offer. 488-7242.
Six U-2 tickets. Good seats. 464-1691
Two Lyle Lovett tickets for sale. Main floor seats for Sept.
12 Omaha show, 467-3807,
Two U2 tickets for sale. GREAT SEATS. Best offer by
Friday. Leave message at 436-8812.
Two U2 tickets for sale-Great seatsl $80 each OBO. Call
421-3641 and leave message.
U2 Tickets: Ames IA Friday, Sept. 11. Good seats. 475
1923, ask for Geoff.
TWO GA tickets for Cornhusker game Saturday. Septem
ber 12. Admission cost. 475-9301. Evening or leave
message.
20 Vehicles For Sale
1991 Geo Metro convertible, red, AM/FM tape. 14,000
miles, great school car. Price negotiable. 466-5292,464
1574, _
1987 Honda Accord LXI. Three-door hatchback. Five
speed. Loaded. $5250 offers. Baer's Auto Sales. 1647S.
Third. 477-6442.
1982 Datsun 210:2-door, 5-speed; Excellent mechanical
condition. 33mpg/hwy; Asking $775 OBO;438-3l 96 eve
nings/weekends.
1985 Nissan 200 SX, white 2-door. 70,000 miles. $4000.
466-8985. Leave message.
f 974 Vokswagen Bug. No underbody rust, great campus
car. Tons of extras. $2,000 OBO. Call Rob at 477-4788.
100 Rides
We need a ride to BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA for any long
weekend this semester. Will share gas expense, help
drive. Can ieaV% Wednesday/Thursday, return Sunday.
Call Terri, 477*164 and Meghan, 438-2758.
105 Career Events
ss^=^^=ss=s=
Career Workshops for the Week of Sept. 14th
Tues. 9715: Interviewing Skills, 6:30 • 7:30pm, NE. Union
Wed. 9716: Resume wiling, 3:00 - 4XX) pm. NE. Union
Thurs. 9/17: Selecting a Major, 3:30-4:30 pm, NE. Union
Fri. 9/18: Interviewing Skills, 10:30 -11:30am, East union
110 Announcements
ATTENTION FRESHMAN:
Interested in developing your leadership skills? Join the
Odyssey Program: 'A Journey With Another Leader: to
begin a mentoring relationship with a student leader. For
more information contact the Office For Student Involve
ment, 200 NE. Union, (472-2454). Application deadline
September 14th.
New Shuttle Routes
Shuttle service is available for students parking in lots at
20th and Vine, 22nd and Vine and 17th and Homage. The
new lots on Vine Street are for those - • ■'er at have
either permit numbers 2 or 20. The nevv stop 17th and
Holdrege is for students parking at evaney. Ques
tions???, please call the Student Government office at
472-2581.
SEPT. 16 • 7:30PM
PEONY, PARK BALLROOM
Tickets available at all
TiCJC&f^iASrEiR Ticket Centers I
CHARGE-BY-PHONE: 402-475-1212
FII M /HFATFR
M Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery; University of Nebraska-Lincoln
m 12th & R Streets; Lincoln, NE 68588-0302;rilm Information Phone; 402/472-5353
Ant Council. J
The Brothers at
▼
Fri., Sept. Uth and Sat., Sept. 12th
9 pm to 1 am
No Cover Before 10 pm
Pre-Concert Party Friday 4:30-7:30
Live Broadcast by The Blaze 106.3(Free Prizes)
500 Draws $2.50 Pitchers
$1 Longnecks Miller Lite
1435 'O' Street(Next to State Theatre) 474-2166