Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 22

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

The Derne Street Deli didn’t exist anymore. Christie knew that right away, despite finding herself there, embedded in a moving snapshot of a memory from what seemed like a lifetime ago. Also present was Ray, further confirming for her that the scene couldn’t be real, because the two of them had never been there together. He sat across a table from her, with the background of the rear of Boston’s capitol building visible through the window, along with blurry, indistinct impressions of pedestrians walking by in the cold October rain.

Though tears streamed down his face, he was silent, staring at her as if she would disappear if he so much as blinked. For a moment, Christie was calm, satisfied with the accompaniment of her husband, a tuna melt sandwich, an open bag of kettle chips, and a paper cup with the string of a tea bag staining the rim. Knowing the illusion couldn’t last, she nonetheless resisted the gnawing sensation in the back of her mind that insisted upon the present being known. Taking a breath of air that was as much a fabrication as the rest of the deli, she allowed her mind to be filled with the inevitable.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 21

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Time had run out for the crews of the Reckless Faith and the Fox. Though the report from the Antares had made all of them feel as if their hearts had been ripped from their chests, the situation above Tartarus demanded their immediate attention. After the abrupt departure of the Percheron, the Alnairian fleet had become unresponsive, despite their initial assertion that they were open to negotiation. Instead, one of the heavy cruisers in orbit had just released a smaller craft that was for certain a dropship, the latter of which headed toward the planet’s inhospitable atmosphere. Moments earlier, Ari had swooned in her chair, almost falling out of it, before waving off any attempt at help. Whatever was going on with her would have to wait.

“Fox, target the dropship and destroy it,” began John. “Zukova, begin an attack run on its host, nice and slow, full volley.”

Vecky’s voice could be heard over the radio. “Copy that.”

Those present on the bridge of the Faith quickly lost sight of the dropship as Milly began her approach toward the larger vessel. She set her velocity to three hundred kilometers per hour relative to their target, and enthusiastically squeezed the trigger on her flight stick as soon as the Faith was in range. The deck shook as a combination of 30mm shells and superheated copper plasma shot ahead, raking the cruiser in a devastating broadside.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 20

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“Are you sure it was a duress signal?”

On the bridge of the Antares, her crew listened in to the urgent conversation occurring between John and Vecky. The Percheron, without any warning, had just dropped its invisibility shield, broken orbit from Tartarus, and accelerated away at 0.9 c. Though the crews of the other ships had noticed immediately, attempts to contact the Percheron had been unsuccessful. Vecky had shared with them the odd communication she’d received from Cynthia, hence John’s question.

Also present on the Antares were Evangeline and Richter. The former had come over with the intention of having a private conversation with Fuyue, while the latter had followed her for a reason he didn’t specify. There had been no time for any of them to socialize before everyone realized they had a big problem. Lesath was in the command chair, while Fuchner manned the flight controls. Sargas, Fuyue, and Faen sat at their stations, monitoring the ship’s systems.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 19

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Jan Nayiir sat on a rooftop balcony with his old friend President Will Miller, both thoroughly relaxed as the two men shared a beer and watched the sun set over the gem of the city that was Lucidus. In steep-backed wooden chairs, reclined at a comfortable angle, the round-the-clock activity of the capitol city was far enough away to be reduced to a low hum. The palace was surrounded on three sides by parks, and on the fourth by the university, so the peace was a luxury enjoyed by few who called the metropolis home.

Will had just finished confirming to Jan that not only had Secretary Tailor just visited him there, but also that Tailor was not to be harmed under any circumstances. This was an unusual stance for the president to take. Normally, he would have agreed with Jan that the secretary had become too much of a liability, and needed to be eliminated. As a compromise, Miller had agreed to allow Tailor to be taken to Inferno, where he would be declared insane and incarcerated for the rest of his natural life.

Jan glanced at the several empty beer cans that littered the marble tile surface around them, then finished off the one in his hand. “With all due respect, sir, you’ve skipped an important step. The Terran squadron stands between us and Tartarus. I’ve already told you we can’t possibly defeat them in battle. So are you asking me to tell Admiral Butcher that he’s free to negotiate terms with them? What about the Thesprotians?”

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 18

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Reveki Kitsune sat in the galley of the Leto, a space originally designed to accommodate a much larger crew than the one Wega Talyn currently commanded. She was there alone with Chason, after reuniting him with his sister at the heliopause of Zeta Centauri. It had already been decided that Chason would be joining the crew of the Leto, but Vecky was compelled to have a one-on-one chat with him prior to saying goodbye.

The two of them sat on a bench at a steel table, one of many in the open and bright room. The smell of a past meal permeated the air, and caused Vecky’s stomach to churn in protest at its current state. Such sustenance would have to wait; information recently provided to her by Wega was suspicious, to say the least, though it was only Vecky’s gut instinct that told her not to trust it. Sipping from a hot mug of yutha, hardly her first choice in beverages, she nonetheless accepted it if nothing else was available.

Legacy of the Centaur (RF VIII), Chapter 17

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“If word of this gets out, it’s my ass.”

Commander Hadar’s statement was the first thing that he said to Colonel Dietrich as he stepped across the threshold from the airlock on the Bidelman to the one on the Percheron. Cynthia and her crew had been able to make contact with Hadar’s ship using the same ULF pulse communication system he had used to stay connected to his marines, and after a little bit of negotiation, Hadar had convinced the Percheron to land at the far end of a spaceport on Alnair’s southern continent. With the Percheron hidden behind its invisibility shield, and Hadar’s excuse to Admiral Butcher that the waste reclamation systems on his ship needed to be purged, it was his hope that he could retrieve the surviving marines without anyone else knowing.

Waste retrieval ground vehicles, known as ‘shit wagons’ to fleet personnel, were busy pumping out the remains of the crew’s meals on the port side of the Bidelman, while the Percheron had sidled up to one of the starboard airlocks. Reasonably isolated from any of the spaceport’s buildings, and parked on the opposite side of the airfield and landing pads, Hadar had been confident that the Percheron wouldn’t be detected, at least for a short visit.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 16

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

It had been a whirlwind of a full day for the crews of the Reckless Faith, the Percheron, and the Fox. They had accomplished a lot in the last 24 hours, not the least of which was learning how to communicate with the 250 surviving Thesprotians, and keeping them relatively calm while the prison could be cleaned up. Overcoming the language barrier had been easy once the version of Christie on the Percheron was reunited with her android body, and had access to her full computational powers. Explaining to the cold, wet, and grieving natives that they had to stay put for several hours was a little bit more of a challenge. Ultimately, they were able to supply the sudden refugees with a few basic survival items, such as food, water, and blankets, which mollified them for the time being.

It had taken a combined team from all three ships, ferried down by the Faith, seven hours to clear out the bodies of the slaughtered prisoners, guards, and staff. It had been decided to consolidate the corpses in the dining facility, not only because it was large enough to accommodate all of them, but also because the bulk of the victims were already there. Hardly a respectful way to inter the bodies, and certainly not a long-term solution, it would have otherwise taken several more hours to move them anywhere else. As for sustenance, the Faith had simply replicated hundreds of MREs and plastic water bottles, and the team staged them in the commissary.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 15 Part 2

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Author’s note: This was meant to be the beginning of chapter 16, but I decided it would fit better as the second half of chapter 15.

The Citadel was the headquarters for all of Alnair’s military might. The largest building on the planet, it had started out some seventy years earlier as the HQ for the forces of several allied countries, eventually hosting at least a small delegation from all of them, before Alnair had become united under one central planetary government. By outward appearances, little had changed over the decades. Consisting of four concentric rings, each thirty meters in height, it boasted a total footprint of over one hundred square kilometers, most of which was available for use as office space. A spire in the central courtyard, clad with white marble, stood over the building, itself ninety meters high.

Seated on a plateau overlooking high desert plain in the middle of Alnair’s eastern continent, the Citadel was well-defended. The original anti-aircraft batteries, long since obsolete, remained as display pieces around its perimeter. Less obvious to the casual eye, plasma cannons, close-in weapons systems, and supersonic missiles sat ready to obliterate any interlopers, near or far. Should someone or something sneak through, the three-meter-thick concrete walls were rated to survive any conventional explosive, and even a small nuclear device. Since learning of their existence, the roof was also hardened to withstand orbital strikes. It was an impressive, expensive building, and Commander Hadar despised it.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 15 Part 1

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

The Sul Chateau was an opulent and historic resort, and a favorite of Malthus Brewer during his past life as a free man. He sat on a veranda overlooking a sparkling lake, flanked on three sides by terraced green mountains. To the west, where the body of water spilled itself over an ancient dam and cascaded into what would eventually become a mighty river, the sun was setting. The brick patio, cut off from the lake by a squat stone wall, was almost empty, despite stools, tables, and lounge chairs sufficient for dozens of people. Only one man accompanied him that afternoon, a Kau’Rii by the name of Chason Talyn, who Malthus considered a friend.

A plate of fried crustaceans rested on the table nearby, and in his hand, he held a tall glass of beer. His feet up on a plastic ottoman, he took a deep breath, taking in the heady aroma of both the food and his beverage. A sip of the latter confirmed that it was the best top-fermented variety he’d ever had, and he reveled in the moment. Still, despite all the perfection that surrounded him, Malthus knew that something wasn’t right. He turned to his companion, the feline seemingly enrapt by the sunset, his eyes reflecting the glittering whitecaps on the water that had been kicked up by a gentle breeze.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 14

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“Let me handle this.”

Evangeline put her PDA in her pocket, and held her AK-74 out toward Ray, who happened to be the closest person to her. After a moment of hesitation, he accepted it, and quickly but carefully put it on the deck. Eva drew her bokken, gave it a flourish to test its balance, and took a step forward.

“All this firepower, and you want to fight them hand-to-hand?” asked John.

“You’ve seen what these Sortarii artifacts are capable of,” she replied. “Fuyue fried our enemies like a fusion reactor just by believing he could. I wish you could feel the confidence that I do, flowing through my veins.”

“We’ll let you go,” began Richter, “but first, you should let us soften them up a bit.”

“By all means.”

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 13

Spoiler alert: This is the work-in-progress of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

The Reckless Faith plunged itself through the turbulent atmosphere of Tartarus, with Lieutenant Agena and the Tondelayo following on their high four o’clock. As if the situation hadn’t deteriorated enough already, a sudden signal across all frequencies had interrupted their contact with their people on the ground, only adding to the urgency of their mission. While Christie – abruptly returned to her disembodied state within the orb on board the Percheron – was working a way to counteract the jamming signal, John and the rest of his crew were champing at the bit to get down to the prison.

With Milena at the controls, and Dana to monitor the ship, John, Kyrie, Evangeline, and Richter had gone to the Zero-G room, EVA suits donned and weapons drawn from the armory. Ari was also there, but had reluctantly agreed that the risk of her getting cut off from her own connection to the Faith’s orb was too great, and she was staying behind. Though Eva and Richter were still reeling from their unexpected reunion with their human forms, they claimed to be recovering quickly.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 12

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“You have no idea where you want to go?”

In the cargo hold of the Reckless Faith, John and Kyrie stood with Secretary Tailor as the Alnairian tried out one of the bunk beds, the man sinking deeply into its springs. The extraction of Tailor from Alnair by the Faith had been accomplished without a problem, and while the Fox and its crew remained on the surface for further research, the Faith had returned to Tartarus. John and Kyrie had just finished debriefing Tailor, hearing a story that matched what he had told Vecky, Cane, and Sam. Meanwhile, Agena and the Tondelayo had returned to the Percheron, having lost visual contact with the unknown shuttle very soon after entering the atmosphere. Though unable to track it with scanners, its destination seemed obvious.

Everyone was aware that time was of the essence, but John wanted a chance to talk to Tailor before the allies decided their next move. Their team in the old facility had found two laboratories on Sub-Level Four, each crammed to the rafters with interesting documents and items, and were busy searching for whatever secrets they might hold. With the departure of the Bidelman, and the possible involvement of the so-called Gray Men, John was rightfully concerned about the well-being of his people on the surface, but not quite ready to attempt an evacuation.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 11

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Major Maya Sakura sat toward the back of the bridge of the Percheron, electing as usual to be a passive observer to whatever Colonel Dietrich and her original battle-hardened crew were doing. The trip to Zeta Centauri was her first mission with the ship and, so far, it had proved to be positively pedestrian in comparison to what the Percheron had gone through before. Despite all of that, Maya was on the edge of her seat, even as the ship made another countless revolution around Alnair II without anything new happening. She had easily made friends with Mike Mungavin in the few months since joining the crew, and it was stressful enough knowing that he was down on the surface with precious few allies to watch his back.

Maya was a replacement for Doctor Ogden, and like him, she had been given the rank of major in order to assure a seat at the captain’s table whenever senior staff were called. It did not reflect any standing of hers in the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, from which she had come, but she appreciated the privileges it afforded her on the Percheron. Though as a flight surgeon for JAXA, with enough experience to fulfil her role, the manner and circumstances surrounding Ogden’s death were never far from her mind. Still, the apparent low-key nature of their current mission paled in comparison to other challenges the crews of the Percheron and Reckless Faith had faced in the past year.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 10

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Commander Hadar huffed in frustration as he rode the lift down to the lowest level of the Bidelman. His consternation had been caused by the loss of radio contact with the squad of marines on the surface of Tartarus, an event none of his crew seemed sufficiently concerned about. Despite assurances from his technicians that this was to be expected, it was a conclusion he wasn’t willing to accept. After terminating a conversation with one of his engineers in the ventral antenna array, he had risen from his chair on the bridge and stormed off to the nearest elevator.

The engine room on his ship was almost as long as the entire vessel, spanning ninety meters from bow to stern. The main reactor assembly was a horizontal cylinder, running the length of the room, and monitored from stations toward the bow. The pulsing rhythms of light and sound along the cylinder were mesmerizing even while in orbit, but relaxation was not his goal. It was a short trip from the lift and across a corridor to get there. Though he startled the engineers there, he ignored them and strode wordlessly to another chamber beyond. This one contained the service and maintenance equipment for the dorsal transceivers. The smell of burning tobacco hit his nose as he entered, and he surprised the hell out of the two men inside. He spoke without waiting for a greeting.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 9

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Malthus wasn’t surprised to see a squad of Alnairian marines striding down Inferno’s main concourse, headed toward the laundry room. What did surprise him was that they were heavily armed and armored, seeming more as if they stood ready to take on a superior force of Rakhar soldiers than a few errant prisoners. Based on his conversation with Lieutenant Ferrer, some kind of incursion into the depths of Inferno was expected, but these guys were ready to go to war.

In one brief but impulsive moment, overcome with concern for his friend Chason, he blurted something out.

“I know the layout of the old facility.”

The man at the front of the group held up his fist, and all nine men turned to face him. The man at the center took a step toward Malthus.

“I’m Master Sergeant Scrivener,” he said. “And you are?”

“Malthus Brewer.”

“Where did you get that information?”

“I’ve got a photographic memory. A diagram of what lies beneath was once found, but hidden away by its discoverer. He allowed me to look at it; I only needed a few seconds to memorize it.”

“Why should we trust anything you give us?”

“Because I’ve only a few years left on my sentence, and any cooperation on my part could result in time removed. Leading us to our deaths is the last thing I want.”

Scrivener reached into one of his many pockets, and removed a notepad and a pen. “Sketch out what you know, and be quick about it. If your layout matches what we encounter, I’ll tell Commander Hadar about your contribution.”

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 8

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

The central library in Lucidus was also home to Alnair’s largest museum, as well as its most prestigious university. As such, the location consisted of several buildings, each resplendent in mottled gray brick, marble columns, and roofs of either red tile or gleaming gold leaf. Sprawling itself across several acres in the heart of an otherwise modern metropolis, it was a peaceful refuge from the noise and bustle of its asphalt and concrete host. For the crew of the Fox, it wasn’t anything any of them hadn’t seen before, but it was still impressive. After wandering through its main entrance, finding a map, and proceeding into a large, verdant courtyard, they paused to get their bearings.

“You’re sure the Syndicate has people here?” asked Cane, watching as a group of students in sage-colored robes walked by.

Dalia shrugged. “I told you, it’s been a couple of years.”

“There’s no question they wanted us to go to Alnair,” added Sam.

“It’s too bad you didn’t,” began Vecky, “perhaps then we wouldn’t have to risk our cover to find them.”

“I still think we can find what we need in the archives,” said Miriam.

“We can do both. Venator, you and the Parmenters see about the Syndicate. Colchester, Penrose and I will visit the library. Remember, we don’t know how much time our friends have before they’re forced into a confrontation with the fleet.”

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 7

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“A miniature fusion reactor? That’s the first I’m hearing about it.”

In a room on Sub-Level 2 of the old Inferno facility, Chason, Ray, Christie, and Mike conversed with the crew of the Reckless Faith high above them. The room appeared to have once been a simple decontamination chamber, as indicated by an airlock that was followed by a large communal shower, and the entrance to a chute that bore a description, helpfully translated from Alnairian by Christie, that read ‘incinerator.’ It was the first area below the level with roving drones that the team had found, and the room, comprised of moldy tiles and rusting fixtures, seemed like a safe enough place to pause and give their allies an update. What might have needed to be decontaminated so many years ago, for the moment, remained a mystery.

Mike’s statement was prompted upon hearing that Christie’s android chassis had a powerful energy source, and was the biggest problem with their new plan to implement Project Doppelganger to aid them in their mission. Though the project was little more than a footnote in the deluge of information streaming from NASA prior to their departure from the Sol system, Mike was nevertheless familiar with the basic idea.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 6

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

In a mechanical closet deep underground, Chason awoke. His incursion into the forbidden area underneath Inferno had been terrifying, as he expected, but the presence of relentless patrols of armed drones was a piece of information that had never made itself part of the many rumors among the inmates about the old facility, and had caught him completely by surprise. He was interrupted from his exploration by one of them less than an hour after exiting the prison proper, with several bright laser blasts missing him only by the grace of the gods.

Stumbling into the first alcove that happened to be nearby, he found himself in a closet. A broken console, unknown valves, and decades of dust were all this space had to offer him, except for a door that still worked, and therefore, sanctuary from the drones. Though it was only 1600 by the prison’s clock, the events of the day pulled at his stamina like a mule. Without any idea of how to evade the drones, he had taken a sip of water, eaten half of a protein bar, and arranged his ground pad and blanket for an extended stay in a chamber that for all he knew would end up being just another cell.

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 5

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

“We need a better insurance policy for our shuttles.”

On the bridge of the Faith, the seriousness of the situation had caused Milly’s quip to fall on deaf ears. The loss of yet another shuttle for the allies was certainly annoying, and though they could replicate another, such a process would require time and resources they didn’t have. Especially so, since about half of the Alnairian Defense Fleet had just arrived at Tartarus. They could only watch as one heavy and three light cruisers dropped out of FTL and established orbit. Ari continued her conversation with their friends on the surface while Dana confirmed that the Faith and the Percheron remained hidden from the new arrivals.

“I’m reading the transponder five-by-five,” Ari was saying. “Remind me, how many do you have?”

“We’ve got six,” replied Ray over the radio. “I’ve already activated another; if the signal drops below seventy percent, I’ll place it, wherever we are. Assuming, of course, we’re still alive by then. Our scans indicate that this shaft is at least a thousand meters deep. We’ve got a long climb down ahead of us. Thankfully, the ambient temperature in here is 20 C.”

Legacy of the Centaur (RFVIII), Chapter 4

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Malthus had a job in Inferno’s metal fabrication shop. Most of the inmates worked somewhere, whether it be the dining facility, laundry room, or general custodial duties. Not only was it a handy source of income (for those without outside resources), they were also able to take time of their sentence by being useful to the prison. Malthus had an engineering degree, far more than needed for the typical repair jobs that crossed his bench, but the ease of the work made the time pass quickly. Chason also worked there, which is how they originally became friends. Though his real-world skills were barely applicable, he did know how to read a blueprint. Together, they made an effective team.

That morning, Malthus was thoroughly distracted by the fact that Chason hadn’t reported for his shift. The older man could barely pay attention to his work, after both a restless night sharing a room with Kheiron, and the strange alien’s warning that Chason was going to make a run for the labyrinth soon. Malthus wanted nothing more than to find his friend, but it was still a prison, and the guards probably wouldn’t let him leave the shop without a better excuse. So, he muddled through such tasks as calibrating their 3-axis milling machines, supervising the fabrication of parts, and chugging weak cups of corferic. Time seemed to slow down the closer they got to lunch, and he was beside himself when he was finally released.

Reckless Faith VIII, Chapter 3

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

The cells on the main block at Inferno were not meant for much comfort or privacy. Simple, utilitarian rectangles of three square meters, with classic steel bars, each room could accommodate two prisoners. Since the capacity of the prison was currently under 60%, almost everyone was fortunate enough to have their own cell. Those with roommates could put themselves on a waiting list, which they all did, and wait for a room to open up. There were only three ways that could happen: death, release after serving a sentence, or someone fleeing to the depths of the labyrinth. After that, rooms were assigned by seniority, a rule inviolate, as any other system would doubtlessly sow discontent.

One of the first things a prisoner could gain from a year of good behavior was a curtain to hang in front of the cell door. Malthus was one such inmate, and he was glad for it. Other than that, they could decorate their rooms how they wanted, if they bought themselves small comforts from the commissary, or received allowable gifts from the outside. For the latter, Malthus had no such benefactors, so he was limited in what he chose to purchase. A better pillow and softer blanket were examples. Most inmates also subscribed to the facility’s streaming entertainment service, which offered hundreds of music or video channels for a very reasonable monthly price.

Reckless Faith VIII, Chapter Two

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Though John was headed to the orb room out of an abundance of caution, the task that lay before him might prevent a larger problem later on, if neglected. One of the fourteen computers down there had caused a heat sensor to trip, and while the temperature within its chassis was not yet critical, there was no reason to ignore it. Long since surpassed in their original role, the Earth computers were nonetheless important as a backup to certain basic systems on the Faith.

John already suspected a cause for the alert. The air circulation system on the ship kept all of its habitable compartments pressurized, including the orb room. While any individual chamber could be isolated, it wasn’t efficient or practical to do so as a matter of routine. The downside was that despite the HEPA filters that were installed along the ductwork wherever convenient, dust and hair had a way of evading them and ending up everywhere. This included the cooling fans inside their computers.

Reckless Faith VIII, Chapter One

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series. You may read the prologue here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2023/10/31/reckless-faith-viii-prologue/

Colonel Cynthia Dietrich stood on the bridge of the Percheron as the ship established a far orbit around Proxima Centauri. Her ship had arrived simultaneously with the Reckless Faith and the Vigilance, the latter of which had just completed the long-range portion of its engine shakedown. The new ship’s performance would prove to both NASA and Commander Scherer that it was ready for action anywhere in their corner of the galaxy. The trip had taken fifteen hours at 900 c, the cruising speed of both the Percheron and the Vigilance, and while they could have arrived at Sol’s closest companion a lot faster, the point was to let the engines on the Vigilance get some extended running time.

The Vigilance was an exact copy of the Vanguard, its predecessor, and while it boasted the same crew compliment and weaponry, production of the Warhawks destined for its hangars had been delayed for a number of reasons. The next ship, the Valkyrie, which was already under construction, would have to wait even longer. Fortunately for both of them, they were more than capable of holding their own in a pitched battle, assuming the odds were in their favor. Since all three ships would have the primary duty of guarding Earth, NASA and the US government hoped to never test their abilities. Still, considering the failure of the crew of the Reckless Faith and their allies to keep their noses out of the business of what seemed like half the galaxy, such a massive expenditure was wise. There was a time limit on Earth’s isolation, though no one knew exactly how long it was.

Reckless Faith VIII, Prologue

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 8th book in the Reckless Faith series.

April 9^th, 2030

Seth Aldebaran ran as fast as he could toward the laboratory, which unfortunately for him recently, was little more than an excited hobble. He had been beckoned there by Christie Tolliver, his guest for the last month, with the promise of a revolutionary breakthrough. In atypical dramatic fashion, she hadn’t told him what was happening, only that his presence was required. If not for his disabilities, and his current state of inebriation, he wouldn’t have minded a little bit of suspense.

The lab, located in a former ICBM silo in New Mexico, was the most advanced research center in the world, mostly due to the predomination of alien technology, though NASA had yet to admit to the rest of the world that the high technology it was churning out was anything more than the result of a cadre of the best and brightest scientists in the United States. Though rumors of alien tech had been swirling in the media about the F-40 Warhawk II, and its unprecedented ability to operate in space as well as the atmosphere, such speculation was, for the moment, easily dismissed as wild fantasy.

Shadow of the Chimera (RF VII) is Live on Amazon

I’m pleased to announce that the ebook for Shadow of the Chimera, the7th book in the Reckless Faith series, is live on Amazon. The paperback will be available a bit later. Thanks to everyone who provided insights and feedback while I was writing it.

Progress Update

Work on the 7th book in the Reckless Faith series, Shadow of the Chimera, has reached 100% of the total projected length. This point was just a benchmark, however, for the minimum length I wanted. The story continues. The good news is that I’ve reached the climax and resolution, so the first draft won’t be long from now.

Progress Update: Shadow of the Chimera (RF VII)

Progress on the 7th book in the Reckless Faith series, Shadow of the Chimera, has reached over 80% of the total projected length. In anticipation of its publication, I’m removing all but the prologue and first two chapters from my blog. The entire work-in-progress will still be available upon request to those interested in providing feedback, so let me know if you want to help out.

Shadow of the Chimera (Reckless Faith VII), Chapter Two

Spoiler alert: This is a new entry for the 7th book in the Reckless Faith series. The prologue can be found here:

https://devonai.wordpress.com/2022/12/15/reckless-faith-vii-prologue/

The medical bay on the Percheron was bright, clean, and well-appointed, offering the highest level of care possible outside of a full hospital. Faen Leodin needed none of it, except for a warm blanket, an IV line full of Ringer’s Lactate, and the sufficient supply of oxygenated air that was already present. It didn’t take her long to regain consciousness, and she was only mildly surprised to find herself faced with humanoids of a species she’d never encountered. At first unable to communicate with them, she was offered a translator earpiece and introduced to the ship’s doctor, a tall, stocky man with blonde hair by the name of Ogden, and Captain Dietrich, a svelte woman with brown hair streaked with gray. A third person, a man with short hair, darker skin than the others, and armed with a pistol, stood near the door and didn’t say anything.

Reckless Faith VII, Chapter One

Spoiler alert: This is a new entry for the 7th book of the Reckless Faith Series. The prologue can be found here:

https://devonai.wordpress.com/2022/12/15/reckless-faith-vii-prologue/

It was a warm and rainy evening in Tyndareus, and Captain Reveki Kitsune was hot underneath her waterproof jacket. She, along with Cane Venator and Miriam Colchester, were watching as the Fair Haven, a large cargo ship, was being offloaded in the yard of a gigantic warehouse at the edge of the city. Also watching, with barely-concealed boredom, were Sam and Dalia Parmenter, a brother and sister team of native Matesians and the newest members of the Fox’s crew.

They would soon be at the end of their fifth mission as proper freelancers, which was to escort the Fair Haven from Matesia to Dellal IV. Though it was a mundane task from their perspective, the company that owned the cargo ship was rightly concerned about its safety after so much recent upheaval in that part of the galaxy. In addition to the nebulous threat from the Rakhar, the Dellal system itself had recently seen a change in its ruling faction, and while that transition had gone relatively smoothly, some opportunistic criminals had taken advantage of the reformation to prey on trade vessels. After the Solar Confederation of Cygnus had been dissolved, it wasn’t so risky for folks like them to enter the system, and the new government of Dellal had been slow to reach the same level of security.

Reckless Faith VII, Prologue

Spoiler alert: This is the beginning of the 7th book in the Reckless Faith series

December 25^th, 2029

Though the Percheron was a fine ship by any standard, Captain Cynthia Dietrich was particularly proud of it, as it was Earth’s first official spacecraft capable of interstellar travel. She stood on the bridge, a bright, clean space at the bow of the ship. Its sweeping canopy allowed for a great view of space, and at the moment, Saturn, around which they were in orbit. The ship had just undergone the first test of its FTL drive system, traveling from Earth to the ringed planet in mere seconds. This was a satisfying conclusion to two weeks of shakedown after the Percheron had been launched.

Present with her on the bridge, in addition to her own command staff, were several crewmembers of the Reckless Faith, including its commander, John Scherer. They were, of course, mostly to credit for the Percheron’s existence, though it couldn’t have been constructed so quickly without the assistance of both NASA and the US Space Force. Indeed, both organizations were represented in its crew, with Dietrich herself a colonel in the Space Force prior to accepting command of the vessel.

The Percheron was essentially a carbon-copy of the Reckless Faith, though it was 50% larger, and boasted more weaponry. The number of crew quarters had been increased from six to fourteen, and in addition to more cargo capacity, it also had a full medical bay. The two fifty-caliber GAU 19/A turrets on the Faith had been supplanted by four twenty-millimeter GAU 4/A turrets, though their massive size made them slower to traverse and elevate, and it shared the same GAU 8/A thirty-millimeter cannon, plasma cannon, and laser banks of the Faith installed for the same applications. A new addition to the Percheron was a partially-articulated GAU 13/A installed aft, a four-barrel version of the GAU 8/A, as well as a small shuttle, capable of carrying fourteen people.

Audible Promo Codes!

If you’re an Audible subscriber, or willing to become one, and live in the US or UK, I still have several promo codes for the audio book version of Reckless Faith available. They will allow you to download a copy at no additional cost. Let me know if you want a code!

https://www.audible.com/pd/Reckless-Faith-Audiobook/B09VPLYLCS?asin=B09VPLYLCS

Pegasus in Chains Has Been Released

I’m pleased to announce that the Kindle version of the 6th book in the Reckless Faith series, Pegasus in Chains, is now live on Amazon. The paperback version will be released some time later. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback and encouragement.

Quick Progress Update

Work on Pegasus in Chains, the 6th book in the Reckless Faith series, has reached 70% of the total estimated length. At this rate I’m fairly confident I’ll have the first draft completed by the end of August.

Reckless Faith Now Available as an Audiobook

I’m pleased to announce that the audiobook version of Reckless Faith is now available. Promo codes are also available to current Audible subscribers, so if you want a free copy just let me know and I’ll send you a code (US and UK subscribers only, Audible’s rule, not mine)!

https://www.audible.com/pd/B09VPLYLCS

Reckless Faith VI, Chapter One

Spoiler alert: This is a new entry in the Reckless Faith series. The prologue may be found here: https://devonai.wordpress.com/2021/10/26/reckless-faith-vi-prologue/

It was a glorious day on Eniph, and President Fomal Feras was almost completely terrified.  It was inauguration day, certainly a reason to be nervous for any victorious candidate, but for him, having been elected to president of the entire planet, it was that much more daunting.  Especially so, since his home country, Ossekey, was nothing more than a city-state several square miles in size.

Though Feras has already been sworn in, and the inauguration ceremony was just a formality, each of Eniph’s 53 countries had sent several delegates and an entourage, each garbed in their best formal wear.  Still, the crowd gathered at Ossekey’s central stadium numbered less than a thousand, hardly filling a twentieth of the space that the stadium could hold.  Such was the tradition of most countries there; any celebration of an election was tempered by the grave responsibility of leadership.  United for the first time under a single planetary government, the seriousness of the role was magnified.

Feras had prepared a five-minute speech.  He was rue to drone on about political matters for very long, having been subjected to the same torture on too many occasions.  Though some of the spectators might rankle about journeying halfway around the world for such a short ceremony, they could make up for it by visiting one of Ossekey’s legendary restaurants or pubs afterward.  If left up to him, he would have dispensed with the ceremony altogether.  A hush fell over the crowd as he approached the podium, and he was glad to finally get this over with.  He cleared his throat, and set his PDA with his speech displayed down on the podium.

Coming Soon: Reckless Faith for Audible

I’m pleased to announce that an audio book version of Reckless Faith is in the works, due to be out next February.

Reckless Faith VI, Prologue

This is the beginning of the 6th book in the Reckless Faith Series.

September 30, 2029

It was a beautiful early fall day on Boston Common.  Other than fading contrails catching the last of the sunlight of the day, the sky was clear and the air crisp.  John Scherer, Arianna Ferro, and Seth Aldebaran were walking along Beacon Street, and though the first two were overcome with nostalgia, neither had yet to admit it.  Their purpose in visiting wasn’t just to reminisce; they had business in the city.  Their ship was parked next to Frog Pond nearby, easily hidden from both human sight and electronic detection.  They had arrived early so Ari could walk past her old apartment on Marlborough Street, and now they were headed to Omega Group’s headquarters on the corner of Beacon and Park.

Due to the effects of time dilation through their many journeys through the galaxy, twenty-five years had passed on Earth, while John and Ari had only experienced a little less than one year in their own lives.  During their flyover of the city on the way in, they had spotted six or seven new skyscrapers; other than that, nothing much appeared to have changed.  After walking in silence for fifteen minutes, John was the first to speak.

“You’re sure about this, Seth?”

“As sure as I am the last time you asked me, John.”

“We’ll miss you,” began Ari, “but we all understand your decision.”

The trio arrived at the desired building, and took the elevator to the fourth floor.  Lauren Hill was there to wave them through security, and led them to her corner office overlooking the capitol building.  Once everyone was seated, she spoke.

“So this is the Aldebaran I’ve heard so much about.”

John raised an eyebrow.  “Have you?”

“I’m joking.  I only know what you told me over the phone.  Sir, it’s nice to meet a bona fide extraterrestrial that isn’t a corpse.”

“You get used to it,” Seth replied.

The Heart of the Swan is Live on Amazon

The fifth book in the Reckless Faith series, The Heart of the Swan, is now available on Amazon in Kindle format. The paperback edition will be available in a week or two.

Book Review: A Canticle of Two Souls by Steven Raaymakers

In a world where magic is just a whispered rumor of an ancient past, any hint of this lost power is met with derision, fear, and anger. For a boy on the edge of manhood, and a girl near the same age, magic will soon come to define their lives, though in two very different ways.

Raziel, his past clouded by rage and a thirst for revenge, and Alicia, her own origins equally uncertain, are thrown together by circumstances seemingly beyond their control. Though not allies, they soon come to realize that traveling together may be the only way they can survive, at least until they find a way to pierce the veil of emotion that shrouds where they came from, and where they are going.

In a kingdom united under a steady ruler, any magic allowed to roam free threatens to upend that peace, though the eradication of such forces soon becomes overshadowed by the power that same magic offers. Sought not only by the emperor but also his underlings, the magic these children possess may maintain that peace; or bring it to a terrible end, despite any best intentions originally espoused.

So, Raziel, and the mysterious sword that grants him the strength and skill of twenty men, and Alicia, whose powers of the mind can be used for good or ill in an instant of indecision, find themselves pursued across the land, their own journey toward truth and peace met with lies and horrific violence at every turn. If they are to survive, remember and accept their tumultuous histories, and even become victorious against foes both from inside and without, they must learn to understand each other, and the power that burns inside them.

Lavishly detailed, A Canticle of Two Souls is nonetheless a tightly-woven tale. The reader is dragged along quite the same as our two stalwart protagonists, to a dramatic and satisfying end. The author is an easy hand with the English language, describing everything from raindrops on steel to a nightmarish dreamscape with equal aplomb. The only quibble this reader could mention, and a minor one at that, is that certain subjects and themes are covered repeatedly, to the point where one might begin to wonder if the plot is stuck in a roundabout. Other than that, this is an enjoyable and promising first novel in what is rapidly becoming a series.

4/5 Stars

First Draft Complete: Reckless Faith 5

The first draft of the fifth book in the Reckless Faith series, The Heart of the Swan, is complete, and is now in the hands of several beta readers. Once their edits and suggestions have been compiled, and cover art procured, it will be ready for publication. I hope for it to be available by December.

Book Review: The Blackshade Machine by William Latoria

In the not-so-distant future, the global political landscape has changed dramatically. Canada and the United States have merged, and with the advent of high technology, especially in the areas of governance and social monitoring, each country is left to either let their citizenry prosper or harshly control them. There is peace, but the age-old doctrine of mutually assured destruction looms greater than ever.

When a mysterious alien race appears at the edge of the solar system, humanity’s harmonic balance is quickly thrown into chaos, magnified by rampant speculation on social media. When first contact occurs, many humans feel that their entire existence is threatened. While the new visitors appear to be friendly, at first, early revelations of their nature, and that of humanity as a whole, threaten to shake the whole world from their technology-driven symbiosis into anarchy. At the center of this, unwittingly, is Colonel Blackshade, a high-ranking officer in Canderica’s military force. It is he who must facilitate some kind of communication with the aliens, and finds himself holding the fate of the entire planet in his hands. Though these strange creatures may come in peace, many are leery of their potentially ominous long-term plans, as well as what other horrors the galaxy may hold.

Expansive and pensive, The Blackshade Machine may be the most well thought out tale of first contact ever to grace the page. The author’s world building and character development are central throughout the book, and don’t disappoint. No aspect of Canderica’s society or technology is overlooked, especially how these things are affected by the arrival of the aliens, and the narrative rewards the patient reader.

Ultimately, what keeps this book from rating a full five stars, in my humble opinion, is that these details sometimes slow the pace of the story, turning what should be an up-all-night adventure into something a bit more technical in nature. Still, as the promised first book in a series, these slow points shouldn’t deter the reader from finishing up quite ready for the next chapter… which I hope is coming soon!

Inspiration and the Creative Process

My fifth novel, Dun Ringill, is complete.   Though it took me over a year to write, I only recently stumbled upon a bit of information that I wanted to share.

Some of you already know that Dun Ringill is a real place, an approximately 2,000 year old fort on the Island of Skye off of Scotland.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dun_Ringill

I was inspired to name my book after it because of its reference in a song by Jethro Tull, the progressive rock group introduced to me by my mother at a young age.  Most of Tull’s lyrics were written by its frontman, Ian Anderson, who lived near Dun Ringill during some of his youth.  Anderson’s recurring themes are rife with references to the ancient peoples of England, their culture, and rituals.  They are all explored in depth on the outstanding fan website Cup of Wonder,

Edit: 27 OCT 2019:  It has come to my attention that the website Cup of Wonder is no longer up.  I’m disappointed as no other website seems to have the level of in-depth analysis of Tull lyrics.  Below are some alternatives.

Including, of course, Dun Ringill itself, from the album Stormwatch.

Stormwatch

Though often inscrutable, Anderson’s lyrics are not always difficult to decipher, and Dun Ringill’s meaning is fairly easy to discern if you know the history behind the ancient structure.  Though in reality the fort probably has no special meaning other than a defensive position that long ago became obsolete, it inspired me to research other ancient English structures that almost certainly did, including the most famous, Stonehenge.  In fact, many ancient structures in England feature astronomical alignments at significant times of the year (solstices and equinoxes, most notably).  Whether built merely for utility or for a ritualistic purpose, people who visit these places often remark on there being a peculiar feel to them, probably the same sense of mystery that Anderson himself experienced at Dun Ringill.

It was while researching these places that I learned about cursus lines, man-made ditches, barrows, or earthenworks put in place thousands of years ago for unknown purposes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursus

I thought these were interesting enough to apply them in a practical way to the science fiction of my novel.  However, I also decided to use them because I suspected that one of Anderson’s lines from Dun Ringill, lines joint in faint dischord, referred to cursus lines and their possible importance in ancient rituals.  As courses constructed by people who may have believed that some kind of mystical power flowed through them, they are related to the pseudoscience of ley lines:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ley_line

But are things like this what Anderson was really referring to in the song Dun Ringill?  I wasn’t sure until I started studying the lyrics of Jethro Tull songs that weren’t my favorites, either growing up or today.  So, it was just last week that I came across an explicit reference to ley lines in the song Cup of Wonder itself.

Songs From The Wood

For the May Day is the great day, sung along the Old Straight Track.  And those who ancient lines did lay will heed the song that calls them back.

If you looked at the Wikipedia article I linked above, you may have noticed that The Old Straight Track was the first published book on ley lines.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Old_Straight_Track

D’oh!

Still, despite that I could have answered my own question a long time ago by being more familiar with Jethro Tull’s discography, I was elated to learn of this relationship.  Maybe this makes me a verifiable Turbo Nerd but this revelation sent chills down my spine.

In all of my writing, I’ve been inspired by astronomy, ancient legends, and music.  Whether any of this translates into good science fiction is certainly up to the reader, but the fact that it keeps me going back to the page is good enough for me.  However, now that my characters have solved the mystery of Dun Ringill, it seems that I have, too.

Book Review: Outer Demon by Gabriel Landowski

Outer Demon is a fun, fast-paced fantasy novel that combines a cohesive storyline with a well-timed twist near the end.

The main character is a young man filled with a mysterious power passed down through a familial legacy, though he begins this classic hero’s journey quite unaware of his potential. He is forced onto his path by a strange illness that almost kills him, an affliction that is only quelled by the appearance of a beautiful woman. Her interest in the boy, along with her own origins, are closely kept secrets, though he quickly begins to suspect that their destinies are intertwined.

Filled with action, deft storytelling, and a well-defined arc, Outer Demon is an easy choice for a reader looking for a new and accessible tale. Some may notice a few grammatical errors of the type often overlooked by all but the most tenacious editors, but it’s not enough to detract from the story. Overall it should appeal to fantasy fans of all types.  4/5 stars.

Book Review: A Happy Bureaucracy by M.P. Fitzgerald

I’m not usually a fan of post-apocalyptic sci-fi. This book caught my interest because of its unusual but thoroughly plausible premise – that in a United States ravaged by a nuclear apocalypse, the Internal Revenue Service would be the only governmental entity to survive.

Fitzgerald excels at juxtaposing a ludicrous scenario with fast-paced storytelling and humor. Unlike anything I’ve seen before, this book was refreshing for its originality and accessibility. In a world where violence is the rule of law, we can always rely on one constant – the IRS, and its stalwart agents.

The protagonist undergoes a predictable character arc, and his weathered, hard-boiled companion is a trope by herself. These foibles are easily forgiven due to the enjoyable story and clever narrative. The author also makes a few grammatical errors, undetectable with spell check but pernicious nonetheless. Still, these problems hardly detract from the story and will probably go unnoticed to all but the most IRS auditor-inclined readers.

4/5 Stars

New Fiction in the Reckless Faith Universe

The last three months have been a boon for my books.  The Fox and the Eagle has been doing particularly well, and my other titles are doing better than average as well.  With so many new readers, I’ve decided to revisit past ideas for a fifth book in the series.  As usual, I’ll be posting the content as I create it.  The first draft of the prologue and first chapter are below; if the prologue seems familiar it’s because I’ve posted it here before.  However, it concludes differently now.

Prologue

 

“Hey, Agent Smith!”

 

Val was on his way from the front desk to the elevators when he heard someone call his name. He turned to his right and looked into the lounge area. His contact, Special Agent Ben Jones, was sitting at a small table near the bar. Val approached him.

Infinity Publishing has gone dark. Consider my books with them as out of print.

Due to a messy merger with a new company called FastPencil, Infinity Publishing is no longer responding to communications, nor are they fulfilling orders.  As such, I’ve re-published The Fox and the Eagle directly on Amazon.  Please be sure you are ordering the correct version, especially the paperback.  The easiest way to distinguish these versions are that the new versions are significantly less expensive.

I’m taking action to have Infinity’s versions of my books officially listed as out of print, which could take a few months.  For now, all five of my novels are available directly through Amazon, both in Kindle and paperback.

Here is the link to The Fox and the Eagle, new Kindle Edition.  The link to the paperback is in the sidebar.

 

Dun Ringill is Live on Amazon

I’m pleased to announce that Dun Ringill is now available for the Kindle on Amazon.  Thank you to everyone who helped me edit and refine the final version.

Dun Ringill: First Draft Complete

The first draft of Dun Ringill is complete.  Next begins the process of editing, and finding a source for cover art.  Until the book is ready to be published on Amazon, I’m making the first four chapters available to a wider audience.  If you would like an advance copy of the whole thing, please let me know, and thank you to all who provided feedback so far.  Below are links to the first four chapters.

Prologue and Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Dun Ringill: Prologue and Chapter One

PROLOGUE

 

When Carthage stumbled onto the bridge, his heart was racing, but not because he was scared. He had to pry open the doors to get there, as they had apparently malfunctioned, and this effort was great in comparison to his quick sprint to the command center. The doors might have been trying to spare him the horror of that day, the stark reality of which was all too plain as he entered.

Carthage’s crewmates lay dead, their blood almost luminescent in the bluish glow of the well-lit bridge. The compact space left no room for imagination, though there was no doubt as to the manner of their demise. Holland stood at the helm station, his back turned toward him, and his right hand grasping a bloody bayonet. The weapon belonged to Carthage, obviously stolen from his quarters at some point in the recent past. His four friends must not have suspected any ill intent from Holland. And though Carthage was surprised as they must have been, he was at least fortunate enough to see it coming.

Book Review: Hard Magic by Larry Correia

I normally write reviews in the passive voice, but in this case I’ll make an exception because my feelings are a bit more personal and the book has been out for several years now.

Hard Magic was published in 2012.  I was very slow to get into it because it’s outside of my preferred genre and I don’t generally like alternative history novels.  Once I was able to get over my own foibles, I was glad to once again immerse myself in Larry’s enjoyable prose.  Hard Magic is Larry’s second series, continuing the fun mix of action and epic adventure that he began with his wildly successful Monster Hunter series, but this time with a noir, steampunky fantasy set in the 1930’s.

The description on Amazon, astonishingly, calls it a cross between The Maltese Falcon and Twilight, and while the former comparison is in the right zip code, the latter is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen on Amazon since the last review-for-hire attached to a self-published albatross.  The story bears about as much resemblance to the Twilight series as a Twinkie to Foie Gras, insofar as they are both edible (allegedly).  A more apt comparison would simply be to X-Men, though as the reader soon learns, the power behind the enhanced humans is far a far more complicated matter than simply “genetics.”

Comparisons to the Monster Hunter series are inevitable, though I found that Jake Sullivan is the only protagonist that seems like a cookie-cutter version of Larry’s previous characters.  This can hardly be considered a weakness, as his predecessor, Owen Z. Pitt, is a good character and easily carries his own series.  I will say that Jake seems a little more introspective, probably due to his war record.  The rest of the characters are reasonably unique, and Faye stands out in particular.  She was my favorite character in Hard Magic by far.

Each of the “actives” has some innate ability, and it is enjoyable to see the way that Larry pits them against each other.  Jake is a “heavy,” who can manipulate gravitational fields, and Faye is a “traveler,” who can transport herself instantly from one place to another.  There are other actives who can create (and extinguish) fire, those that can heal, manipulate electricity, and augment mechanical devices, to mention a few.  Both sides of the story employ actives for their forces.

The plot is a typical “good guys versus bad guys intent on world domination” affair, but Larry does a good job with his unique alterative history and it remains engaging throughout.  There are extensive reviews with summaries, so I’ll refrain from my own here. The climax of the novel is cinematic, to say the least, and leaves ample room for a sequel without clubbing the reader over the head with it (cough).  One advantage I have with waiting this long to read Hard Magic is that the sequels have already been released, so I don’t have to wait to dig in to the next book.

My rating: 4/5 Stars