Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton

 

Mickey has a problem.  He got over his head gambling and now his bookie is sending around enforcers to collect what Mickey doesn't have.  He really needs to get away, out of town or off the planet if possible.  The expedition off to seek a new world is just the ticket and his best friend is already on the crew.  But Mickey studied history in university instead of engineering and the only job he's qualified for is that of Expendable.

The name pretty much explains the position.  Mickey's genes are cloned and ready to be brought into action.  He is given all the most dangerous jobs such as facing monsters, repairing engines that are spewing radiation or exploring unknown terrain.  At this point, Mickey is Mickey 7, and has died six times.  But his mind is uploaded so he feels like he is pretty much the same person.

The expedition is exploring a planet that shows some promise as a new home.  Mickey is out roaming to map out more of it when he falls into a crevice.  His friend is circling but says he can't rescue him and flies off.  Mickey is resigning himself to death when the monster arrives.  It's appendages and maw come closer and closer and then it picks up Mickey, takes him back to the ship and sets him down.

Now there's a real problem.  Mickey's friend, not wanting to admit he left him, has reported him dead.  When Mickey gets back to his room, Mickey 8 has already been generated.  What to do now?  Should Mickey have to go in the destroyer just because he didn't die?  Should the new Mickey be killed?  Can they both survive?

Edward Ashton has written an engaging science fiction with a memorable character.  Mickey has been handed some rotten cards in life but goes about making the best of it.  I've already gotten the next in the series and I'm looking forward to going on more adventures with Mickey.  This book is recommended for science fiction readers.