Sarcona's Awakening

The empire of Sarcona has lasted for thousands of years. Historically, the reign of emperors and empresses has been one of cooperation and benevolence with their surrounding galactic worlds. But more recently, the empire has darkened. A new Campaign of ruthless subjugation was initiated by the recently enthroned Empress Nontass, a young girl susceptible to the influence of malicious advisors. The Campaign brutalizes Sarcona's galactic partners, leaving desolation and traumatized populations, all to the economic enrichment of Sarcona.

Enter Lon Tolk, the junior senator from Sarcona's Ketaden province. As a legislator, Lon has studiously supported the Campaign, subscribing to the notion that what is good for Sarcona is good for the empire's neighbors. He is brash, impatient and lavishes in the privileges he enjoys being a senator. His wife, Zeva, an administrator in the Sarconan government, is horrified at the brutality imposed by the Campaign and while she loves her husband, she cannot support this holocaust, lamenting what the empire has lost.

Lon and his attaché, Bessel, embark on a diplomatic mission to receive the surrender of another conquered world. Enroute, their transport experiences a malfunction which forces them to land on the world of Cassel, on which the Campaign has only recently departed. As Bessel attempts repairs to their ship, Lon sets out to do some exploring. Over the course of two excursions, he encounters native Casselians - a former soldier who has returned to his decimated farm, and a cafe owner hopefully awaiting the return of her husband. For the first time in his life, Lon comes face-to-face with the effects of the Campaign on native populations, forcing him to reconsider his loyalties.

Amid his now existential crisis, Lon embarks for a place of solitude to commune and think through his priorities. He chooses Quoras, an ancient monetary built on a rogue planet. There, he encounters the mysterious Cosma, the abbot of the monastery, who exposes Lon to ancient mysteries about the peoples of Sarcona. Lon also learns of a brewing rebellion against the empress, an effort that needs Lon to succeed.

Insurrection. Grand battles between massive space fleets. Populations in disarray. Sarcona appears to be coming apart at the seams. Yet hope remains in Lon, Cosma, and a small coterie of rebels, who envision a better future for their planet and their people.
About the Author: In 2020, Steven Hirshorn celebrated his 30th anniversary with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Presently he resides at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. within the Office of Chief Engineer where he serves as the Chief Engineer for the Aeronautics.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautics University in 1986, and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas - Austin in 1989, Mr. Hirshorn began his NASA career at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX joining the ranks of Space Shuttle flight controllers in the eponymous Mission Control. Serving at the EGIL console overseeing the spacecraft's electrical systems, Mr. Hirshorn supported fifty-five Space Shuttle missions over the next eleven years, including ten launches and landings, on some of the Space Shuttle Program's most historic missions. Working side-by-side with many of the Mission Control veterans of the Apollo Moon landing missions (who were approaching retirement), Mr. Hirshorn was able to gain from the experience and wisdom of these space-age greats.

Since then, Steve has fulfilled a variety of responsibilities, from serving as the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) representative to the Space Shuttle's Orbiter project to the MOD Lead Engineer for the Constellation Program, representing all of the flight operations community to more diverse elements within NASA. Moving to NASA Headquarters in 2011, Steve supported both NASA aeronautics research and space technology developments before transferred to the Office of Chief Engineer, where he now serves as Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). Chief Engineer. In 2020, just at the onset of the global pandemic, Steve also served a detail in the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) as the Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Programs, overseeing SMD's portfolio of nearly 100 missions both in development and operations.

In 2019, Steve published his first book, a non-fiction tome titled Three-Sigma Leadership (Or, the Way of the Chief Engineer): Leadership Skills for NASA's Corps of Chief Engineers (NASA-SP-220374). The book is available as a free e-book download from NASA or in printed format from Bookbaby, Amazon and other on-line retailers.