In the early days of the Aristillus moon colony a lone geologist uses a small inheritance to do what the universities and government won't - fund basic research. Alone on the north face of the central peak in the Aristillus crater, equipped with just a small rover, a Quonset hut, and a small research lab, he finds pyrite - fool's gold. Except - perhaps it's not what he assumes after all.Of what use money to someone who cares about science, not lucre?In an anarcho-capitalist border town on the moon with no police and no courts, who enforces property rights?Will Mike ever stop Darcy from whimsical purchases?From the two time PROMETHEUS AWARD WINNER Travis Corcoran (Best Novel 2018, Best Novel 2019), a prequel story set in the Aristillus universe. Reviews of the Aristillus series: I finished The Powers of the Earth and immediately read book two. I'm all for this brand of unapologetic reactionary science fiction where we move out into space and beat the problems into submission.-- John Carmack , founder id Software, lead programmer of Doom, QuakeThis is a wonderful, sprawling, action-packed story with interesting characters, complicated conflicts, and realistic treatment of what a small colony faces when confronted by a hostile planet of nine billion slaves. Think of this as Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress done better . I devoured these books and give them my highest recommendation. -- John Walker , founder of AutoDeskYou've achieved something I've been hoping for decades someone would pull off - a book that is at once an affectionate tribute to and criticism/response to "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress".The Aristillus books are very strong.-- Eric S Raymond , author The Cathedral and the BazaarBetter than "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" -- Russel May Just what the market for libertarian SF is crying out for.-- Ken MacLeod , author of The Cassinni Division, Cosmonaut Keep, Newton's WakeHumor, firepower, and dogs! Very L Neil Smith-ish.-- Claire Wolfe , author of 101 Things to Do 'Til the RevolutionJust plain cool.-- Kurt Schlichter , author People's RepublicOne of the most riveting and fascinating books I've read in years. Highly recommended.-- Robert Kroese , author of Mercury Falls, The Big Sheep and Starship Grifters.The work of a professional writer who knows how fiction works and uses narrative techniques and tropes consciously and purposefully.-- William H Stoddard , author of GURPS SteampunkI'm sure this can be justified as your lovely American free speech and not hate speech or malicious communication, and yes, I'm sure Corcoran has a perfect right to say it and all that shit. Guess what? I have a perfect right not to like it, and a right to not be associated with the nutter who spews it.-- Warren Ellis , author of Transmetropolitan, Iron Man Extremis, The AuthorityStupid, ill-advised, and, frankly, immoral-- Radley Balko , former Huffington Post senior writerHow is Travis Corcoran still a free man?-- The Daily Kos