A Covenant of Justice (51 page)

She was born in the moonstar's shadow when the storms of Satlik raged their worst. Because of this, Jobe was different. The family never spoke of it, but everyone knew Jobe was special. So Jobe came to know of it, too. She had a destiny beyond that of Choice, beyond that moment when she would finally have to decide for Reethe, Mother of the World, or for Dakka, Father, Son, and Lover. For the others it was easy, but not for her, not for Jobe. So she was sent to Option, the island of learning, to make her choice and become who she must be. And slowly, ever so slowly, Jobe retreated from the world, from the time of decision. Then the ultimate cataclysm wracked the planet, threatening all her people had struggled to create, and Jobe came forth at last to fulfill her destiny and begin the quest that the moonstar had set for her so many years ago . . .

Nebula award nominee for best novel of the year (1977). Originally published as
Moonstar Oddessy.

A Hugo and Nebula award winner, David Gerrold is the author of more than 50 books, several hundred articles and columns, and more than a dozen television episodes.

His books include
When HARLIE Was One, The Man Who Folded Himself,
The War Against the Chtorr septology, The Star Wolf trilogy, The Dingilliad young adult trilogy, and the award-winning autobiographical tale of his son's adoption,
The Martian Child
. TV credits include episodes of
Star Trek
(“The Trouble with Tribbles,” “The Cloud Minders”),
Star Trek Animated
(“More Tribbles, More Troubles,” “Bem”),
Babylon 5
(“Believers”),
Twilight Zone
(“A Day in Beaumont,” “A Saucer of Loneliness”),
Land of the Lost
(“Cha-Ka,” “The Sleestak God,” “Hurricane,” “Possession,” “Circle”), T
ales from the Darkside
(“Levitation,” “If the Shoes Fit”),
Logan's Run
(“Man Out of Time”), and more.

David Gerrold is a figment of his own imagination.