After obtaining an engineering degree, and a stint in the army, the author spent the next 32 years in various design and management roles in the computer industry, ranging from space to commercial systems. In 1989, for his own entertainment, he began this book, with completion in 1992. Science fiction, fantasy, or an adventure story? The author thinks of it as the latter, and therefore attempts to stay within the realm of the possible, even though of necessity sometimes embracing the improbable. While originally intended for the author's enjoyment only, in 2014 the manuscript was updated and issued for publication.