Template:Infobox Fictional CharacterMichelle Gordian was an up and coming science fiction author in her home timeline of the early 1980s. However, her timeline had developed the ability of time travel, an ability she used to journey back to Gardena, California, in 1953, as "Mark Gordian", an author of eerily prescient fiction. As Mark, Michelle hoped to introduce ideas of hope, problem solving, and ingenuity into the timestream in order to prevent the outright apathy and disillusionment that characterized the 1983 of her timeline.
Her writing eventually drew the unwanted attention of Pete Lundquist, another science fiction author who was convinced that "Mark's" story, "Reactions" was plagiarized from an as-of-yet published Lundquist work. He and editor Jim McGregor headed for Gardena to confront Gordian. Both were surprised to learn that Gordian was a woman. However, Lundquist surprised Gordian when he deduced she was a time-traveler.
Upon meeting Pete, Michelle found herself attracted to him, despite the very different mindsets that existed between 1953 and 1983. She found his forthrightness intriguing, as well as the fact that she could confide the truth in him.
Although he was sorely tempted, Pete rejected Michelle's advances.
Michelle Gordian's Writings
This section lists the writings of "Mark" Gordian mentioned. Only some were discussed in great detail, and so not every story has been given an article.
- "All You Zombies", a story that made all other time-traveler stories obsolete; originally written by Robert A. Heinlein.
- "Houston, We Have a Problem".
- "At the Core", originally written by Larry Niven.
- "Neutron Star", a story which excited astronomers; originally written by Larry Niven.
- Reactions.
- "Sunjammer I", originally written by Arthur C. Clarke.
- "Sunjammer II"
- Tet Offensive.
- "Time Considered as a Helix of Semi-Precious Stone", originally written by Samuel R. Delany, mentioned in passing without explanation.
- Watergate.
Literary Comment
Michelle Gordian's pen-name, "Mark" Gordian, was used by Harry Turtledove himself very early in his career. He published one story under the name.