On the eve of the great asteroid claim rush, Jerry finds himself reunited with his spirited wife Clair and his irrepressible grandfather, Gramps, in a crowded Martian fairground where hope and desperation mingle. But their chance at a new life already looks shaky: Gramps has spent nearly all their savings on an ancient Karden Cruiser and even squandered money on a Martian guitar, leaving Jerry exasperated and uncertain. Yet beneath the comic frustration lies a fiercely loyal family bound by affection, necessity, and the stubborn dream of starting over among the stars. Aboard the cramped but speedy Karden, the trio joins thousands of other families racing into the asteroid belt to claim land, ore, and a future. Clair's practical warmth keeps the little expedition moving, while Gramps sings, strums, and treats the journey like an adventure. When they finally reach asteroid 4270, disaster strikes as the braking rockets jam and Jerry is knocked unconscious in a brutal crash. But the outpost proves surprisingly intact, with good living quarters and rich copper ore waiting to be worked. Just as they begin to settle in, another ship arrives and the claim becomes a tense showdown with armed intruders. With little fuel, damaged communications, and no real legal protection, Jerry, Clair, and Gramps realize they are trapped in a deadly war of nerves. Their only hope is deception: by listening in, bluffing, and making the enemy believe a terrifying hidden weapon exists, they turn paranoia into their best defense in this fast-moving frontier adventure. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.
