Norman Riley is unhappy with his planetary mission to characterize mundane rock formations on the desolate Hossa. But this is not the first disagreement between Norman and his employer, the young and brash Jason Alcott of Alcott Enterprises. As Norman concludes that his assignment is a convenient way for the Alcott family to put both him and his spaceship out to pasture, he is propelled into a new territory without any idea of what lies in store for him. After making a startling discovery on Hossa, Norman must jump into action to ensure an important secret is kept safe from human exploitation. Unfortunately, Norman soon realizes Jason has different ideas. Convinced by Norman’s sudden departure from his company’s payroll that he is being tricked out of a valuable ore find, Jason sends his best team to Hossa to reclaim what is rightfully his. Now only time will tell if Norman can pick up the gauntlet and somehow save the day, not just for the universe but also himself. In this science fiction tale, an unlikely hero is propelled on the journey of his life after he makes a shocking discovery on an isolated planet. Hello Norman By Karl Iams iUniverse Copyright © 2017 Karl Iams All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5320-2914-1 CHAPTER 1 "Hossa!" Norman exploded in disbelief. "You're sending me out to characterize the rock types on Hossa? I can tell you from here that it's nothing but a heap of useless basalt! Why waste any effort whatsoever on that worthless planet?" Norman stared intently, as if expecting a reasonable answer. He knew he wouldn't get it. This was, of course, not the first disagreement between Norman K. Riley and his employer, Jason Alcott. It didn't help matters that Jason was Norman's junior by some twenty years, or that he had achieved his Directorship position by virtue of being the youngest son of the company's founder, John Alcott. "We really need to think long term in this business," Jason countered in his usual smooth, yet somehow condescending tone of voice. "We can never be completely sure what ores may be commercially valuable in the future." Alcott cocked his head at such an angle that he somehow managed to look down at his taller employee. His face, as usual, was totally without expression. Norman had heard this line many times before and had quite frankly grown weary of it. The plain and simple truth was that the younger planetary geologists, with their advanced training in field instrumentation, were grabbing the best jobs. Norman liked to think that his vast array of experiences during his over twenty five years in the field more than compensated for his shortcomings with the use of the latest gadgets. Still, they were getting the hot assignments and he was being sent to a geologist's nightmare! Mapping and characterizing the mundane formations on the desolate Hossa could be done comfortably with a drone and a high power view scope. Why then, was he being sent to this miserable place? "I've already reserved the Kittyhawk VII," Jason's annoying business-as-usual voice cut through Norman's less than happy ponderings. "She'll be fueled and ready by 0700 tomorrow. Be sure to lay in provisions for a full earth month so you won't have to make it a two trip job," Jason said with a note of finality, while reaching to his neck to straighten a tie that was already perfect. "The Kittyhawk's a dog!" Norman blurted without thinking. "I was almost marooned by that crate on Darius V when the thruster controls locked up! It was sheer luck that it happened to me and not one of your hot shot new hires, since I'm well versed in bypass wiring and piloting crippled rigs!" Jason Alcott didn't even pretend to flinch, Norman noticed reluctantly. Alcott's gaze remained placidly fixed on Norman, his countenance perfect as always. "She's been repaired and all systems are fully functional," he went on, carefully ignoring the hot shot remark. Too late, Norman realized that luck had nothing to do with his current transport assignment. No one else would take the Kittyhawk VII out for fear of a major breakdown. Norman quelled a wave of silent rage as he came to the inescapable conclusion that this assignment was a convenient way for the Alcott family to put both him and the Kittyhawk out to pasture. "With your exceptional piloting skills, a Hossa landing should be no trouble at all." Alcott continued, making good use of Norman's own bragging. "I'll be expecting weekly data transfers via hyperwave. Good Luck." With that, Jason Alcott walked away, back to what Norman presumed to be a plush office with all the trimmings. Still bristling about the prospects of being given an inferior craft on an assignment to nowhere, Norman was relieved that he hadn't complained about his expected length of stay on Hossa. Spending a terran month on a three day job was still preferable to having to endure another Jason Alcott speech on thorough job completion. As the next morning dawned, Norman's grumblings ga