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Hayden's World #1
43 Seconds: A Hayden's World Hard Science Fiction Short Story
Twelve minutes to Mars.
James Hayden has a dream, and the Riggs test vehicle is going to take him there. But when failure after failure leads to his last chance exploding spectacularly, he must partner with an AI and gamble everything for one last shot at the stars.
43 Seconds is a science fiction short story set in the Hayden's World universe. The story can be read in twenty minutes and is the perfect size for reading on the go.
James Hayden has a dream, and the Riggs test vehicle is going to take him there. But when failure after failure leads to his last chance exploding spectacularly, he must partner with an AI and gamble everything for one last shot at the stars.
43 Seconds is a science fiction short story set in the Hayden's World universe. The story can be read in twenty minutes and is the perfect size for reading on the go.
- GenresScience Fiction
53 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2016
105 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Falchetti
11 books24 followersI wrote my first story at the age of eighteen. A Monte Carlo, gas station, and small town were nearly destroyed to keep anyone from reading it. I'm giving it another whirl.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 18, 2018
I really enjoyed the interaction with the artificial intelligence. I love the way it was written the pace was good and I really got into the characters even though it was a really short story. I'm actively looking towards other books by the author if they have the same type of writing and character design
August 15, 2018
Ended too quickly!
The only problem with this novel is that it ended too quickly. The story is great the characters in the short period of time they had to develop is also great. The test pilot is one who takes great chances based on his feeling that he will be OK. As it turns out he is OK. Is this the way that actual development takes place, I’m not sure but for a story it is really nice to consider. Again it was too short but I enjoyed it a lot!
The only problem with this novel is that it ended too quickly. The story is great the characters in the short period of time they had to develop is also great. The test pilot is one who takes great chances based on his feeling that he will be OK. As it turns out he is OK. Is this the way that actual development takes place, I’m not sure but for a story it is really nice to consider. Again it was too short but I enjoyed it a lot!
August 10, 2018
Excellent!
This book is an excellent way to start to get students, and most adults, to understand the importance of science. And to prove the necessity of a productive space exploration program.
I'm not sure if it actually falls into the category of 'science fiction' because it science and engineering the book presented is already in existence. In fact, much of it is proven even if we aren't utilizing it.
Good read. Go out and buy the book.
This book is an excellent way to start to get students, and most adults, to understand the importance of science. And to prove the necessity of a productive space exploration program.
I'm not sure if it actually falls into the category of 'science fiction' because it science and engineering the book presented is already in existence. In fact, much of it is proven even if we aren't utilizing it.
Good read. Go out and buy the book.
December 20, 2025
Incredibly interesting and fun read!
I really enjoyed this short story. I can't wait to read the rest of the collection, and i know I have at least one more in the series. I don't understand any of the science in the epic space opera genre, and this is definitely one of those, even though it's a short. But understanding the science doesn't matter to me. Math and science weren't really my thing, but the intrigue of space and flight have always been fascinating! This is a series I know will be totally epic. Definitely highly recommended!!
I really enjoyed this short story. I can't wait to read the rest of the collection, and i know I have at least one more in the series. I don't understand any of the science in the epic space opera genre, and this is definitely one of those, even though it's a short. But understanding the science doesn't matter to me. Math and science weren't really my thing, but the intrigue of space and flight have always been fascinating! This is a series I know will be totally epic. Definitely highly recommended!!
November 25, 2022
Confusing Lead-In, But Story Levels Itself Out
It took me a few pages to get past the ‘Huh?’ factor at the beginning of this Short Story — and it was mostly OK after that — except the tale seemed to also take a large leap forward between the end of one chapter and the start of the next, so I don’t think the writing was entirely smooth.
It took me a few pages to get past the ‘Huh?’ factor at the beginning of this Short Story — and it was mostly OK after that — except the tale seemed to also take a large leap forward between the end of one chapter and the start of the next, so I don’t think the writing was entirely smooth.
August 26, 2018
Rose
Interesting but not quite my mind of story. S.D.Falchetti has curiously implemented an occurrence of air (or space) flight for a famous flyer. This makes two personalities extremely happy. But watch out for irregularities.
Interesting but not quite my mind of story. S.D.Falchetti has curiously implemented an occurrence of air (or space) flight for a famous flyer. This makes two personalities extremely happy. But watch out for irregularities.
July 24, 2020
One man's craze
Hayden wants to test the plane in the vacuum of space. Previous non-manned fight have failed. So takes th ship and an AI to test his theory and it works with some adjustmrnts.
A brilliant start to the series, a must refer for all lovers of Sci-Fi.
Hayden wants to test the plane in the vacuum of space. Previous non-manned fight have failed. So takes th ship and an AI to test his theory and it works with some adjustmrnts.
A brilliant start to the series, a must refer for all lovers of Sci-Fi.
August 5, 2018
Near Light Speed with Verve
Tight writing combined with heroic characters and with a Rand ring to the storyline, make for a good short read.
Tight writing combined with heroic characters and with a Rand ring to the storyline, make for a good short read.
September 9, 2018
Wow!
Short sweet and enough real science to get me excited about the future and enough wonder to remind me of how I got into sci-fi I'm the first place. Excellent!
Short sweet and enough real science to get me excited about the future and enough wonder to remind me of how I got into sci-fi I'm the first place. Excellent!
April 21, 2022
Very short but if u read it i. The right mood it gives u what u want
April 1, 2023
Keep dreaming big!!! Great
October 23, 2021
Short, but with just the right hard sci-fi feel
This short book walks us through the defining moments of a final but successful test of a possible star drive. It’s a classic space opera staple, but this one has a real 21st century feel to it. The author is clearly an engineer who understands the process of development and the processes and people seem entirely plausible. Of course, some suspension of belief is required for the star drive theory itself, but that’s what makes it a sci-fi story.
It's a shame there wasn't more development, but as a short teaser for the rest of the series it certainly did it’s job. I’ll be keeping my eye out for any more by this author.
This short book walks us through the defining moments of a final but successful test of a possible star drive. It’s a classic space opera staple, but this one has a real 21st century feel to it. The author is clearly an engineer who understands the process of development and the processes and people seem entirely plausible. Of course, some suspension of belief is required for the star drive theory itself, but that’s what makes it a sci-fi story.
It's a shame there wasn't more development, but as a short teaser for the rest of the series it certainly did it’s job. I’ll be keeping my eye out for any more by this author.
June 26, 2016
A fun, short sci-fi story.
The writing moves at a measured pace through an approachable story that has some fun historical nods.
The story is underpinned with the hopefulness of authors productive during the 1960's and 70's without falling into the dystopian trappings that are flooding the market recently. This short could easily serve as a prelude to a larger story playing off the grounded conflict of the main characters or the promise of emerging technology that offers earth a chance to expand their reach on the stars.
Well worth the investment.
The writing moves at a measured pace through an approachable story that has some fun historical nods.
The story is underpinned with the hopefulness of authors productive during the 1960's and 70's without falling into the dystopian trappings that are flooding the market recently. This short could easily serve as a prelude to a larger story playing off the grounded conflict of the main characters or the promise of emerging technology that offers earth a chance to expand their reach on the stars.
Well worth the investment.
January 2, 2022
Short and sweet. Never read anything by this author before but I feel like this was a nice little taste of his world. I didn't feel I had enough time to get to know the characters as well as I would have liked but I guess I'll just have to read more in this series!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews