Phantom Limbs! (Paperback) (Jake Bible)

The Earth Colony Asteroid Scorpio was launched into space with 10,000 hibernating passengers in search of a new home for the human race. Off course and nine-hundred years later than expected, only seven of the Scorpio’s passengers awaken, not one of them an adult. Now, rebuilt with cyber parts, these kids must rely on each other to survive the mysteries of the Scorpio and the dangers of deep space.With planet Earth nearing environmental destruction, twelve massive asteroids are transformed into interstellar space colonies, each sent towards a different galaxy in hopes of finding a planet that can sustain life. Placed into cryogenic sleep for the hundred-year voyage, overseen by the ships’ artificial intelligences, the ten thousand passengers are expected to wake up to a safe and sustainable life.

But on the Asteroid Scorpio, something has gone terribly wrong. Millions of light years off course, and nine-hundred years late, the ship’s AIs wake up only seven kids, leaving the other passengers stuck in perpetual cryosleep!

Much to the survivors’ surprise, they find their ship has been transformed into a grand microcosm. Metals and elements mined by maintenance robots allowed for needed repairs and up-grades, as well as the construction of a small dome able to sustain forests, fields, ponds, orchards and crops.

The biggest breakthrough, however, is the creation of human-compatible cybernetic body parts. Essential for survival because of the damage sustained during the long cryosleep, the awakened seven must rely on the new cybernetic enhancements to function.

Isla McNeal, now acting as Captain, finds that her legs have been replaced, giving her unimagined strength and speed. Felix, Isla’s ten-year-old brother has a new jaw, left eye, and right arm. The McNeals are joined by five other kids: Bessie Sacher, 12, has new hands; Carlos Barraza, 11, has a reinforced spine and ribcage; Enrico, Carlos’ twin has new ears, sinuses, and a voice box; Landon Fields, 13, has had every joint in his body replaced; and Ajay, his 9-year old little sister finds she has new lungs. The crew of seven finds they not only have to manage a ship normally run by a crew of thousands, but they must also learn to cope with their new body parts, a life with no adults, and the isolation of deep space.

So begins the race against time to stay alive and to keep the Scorpio mission on track. The crew will find themselves battling rogue robots and uncooperative AIs with the help of their new cyber parts--until those cyber parts begin to turn against them.